It's time for the Group D preview, aka the group of death!
URUGUAY
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Team Overview: One of the surprises in South Africa, La Celeste have a great chance to once again shock the football world. Lead by fiery striker Luis Suarez, this team has incredible talent stacked up and down the pitch. Edinson Cavani should partner well up top with Suarez, the winners of the 2011 Copa America should push for the World Cup trophy yet again.
X-Factor: Defensive capability. This team can score, with Suarez and Cavani up top, but can they keep the ball out of their own net? Diego Godin leads the back line for La Celeste, and he will be essential to shutting down some of the great forwards in this group, like Mario Balotelli and Wayne Rooney.
Where they'll finish: If Tabarez can get this group functioning like a well-oiled machine, there is no reason Uruguay won't finish top of the group. But if Suarez can't get his focus on football, and defense breaks down, La Celeste could be in real trouble in the group of death.
COSTA RICA
Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Team Overview: Facing down the three teams with arguably the best World Cup pedigrees in the world, Costa Rica will have to avoid a small time mentality. Led by captain Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica will have to start well to avoid being forced to make a comeback in the group of death.
X-Factor: Defensive play. Just like Uruguay, the Costa Rica defenders will have to play compact and sturdy to avoid falling behind early on in their three matches. If their defenders just sit back and try and let the opposining number come towards them, they will be blown out of the water. They will have to attack the forwards and force them out of their element.
Where they'll finish: The only real advantage for Costa Rica in this group is that although these three teams have great pedigrees, they also have enormous pressure. Costa Rica will be able to just play their game, knowing that they face the least pressure to do well in this group.
ENGLAND
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Team Overview: The three lions will have most of the world watching their progress this year in Brasil. Hodgson will have to bring his side to the promised land, or else the backlash will be tremendous. England have the best depth players of anyone in the tournament, and a proven leader in captain Steven Gerrard.
X-Factor: Tactics. England have firepower and an arsenal of weapons, pardon the pun. Gerrard leads a strong midfield section, Leighton Baines has the back line covered, and Wayne Rooney will lead most attacking movements. How all the pieces will fit together in Brasil is up to Hodgson, but his job may well be depending on if he makes the correct choice.
Where they'll finish: If everthing goes the way it should, Uruguay will top the group of death. It'll then be a contest between Euros 2012 finialist Italy, and the three lions. How well Hodgson leads his men will mean life or death for England, and the English hope that he will be up to the task.
ITALY
Manager: Cesare Prandelli
Team Overview: Italy has done well in recent years, winning the World Cup in 2006, and finishing in the finals of the Euros 2012. However, the Italians expect much more, as riots in the streets after the 2013 Confederations Cup showed.
X-Factor: The bad boy, Mario Balotelli. Arguably the most sintillating player after Luis Suarez, Balotelli has every asset a striker could ask for: speed, pace, strength, and finishing ability. However, Balotelli has never been able to play consistently, and that has been his downfall. If he plays well in Brasil, the Italians will go far.
Where they'll finish: The group of death may have hit Italy hardest, as they face the same pressure as England and Uruguay, but do not have quite the players to live up to it. Still, Prandelli will expect nothing but the best from his men, and they have shown flashes of their true potential. Whether or not it will show up in Brasil is another question.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Uruguay, England
URUGUAY
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Team Overview: One of the surprises in South Africa, La Celeste have a great chance to once again shock the football world. Lead by fiery striker Luis Suarez, this team has incredible talent stacked up and down the pitch. Edinson Cavani should partner well up top with Suarez, the winners of the 2011 Copa America should push for the World Cup trophy yet again.
X-Factor: Defensive capability. This team can score, with Suarez and Cavani up top, but can they keep the ball out of their own net? Diego Godin leads the back line for La Celeste, and he will be essential to shutting down some of the great forwards in this group, like Mario Balotelli and Wayne Rooney.
Where they'll finish: If Tabarez can get this group functioning like a well-oiled machine, there is no reason Uruguay won't finish top of the group. But if Suarez can't get his focus on football, and defense breaks down, La Celeste could be in real trouble in the group of death.
COSTA RICA
Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Team Overview: Facing down the three teams with arguably the best World Cup pedigrees in the world, Costa Rica will have to avoid a small time mentality. Led by captain Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica will have to start well to avoid being forced to make a comeback in the group of death.
X-Factor: Defensive play. Just like Uruguay, the Costa Rica defenders will have to play compact and sturdy to avoid falling behind early on in their three matches. If their defenders just sit back and try and let the opposining number come towards them, they will be blown out of the water. They will have to attack the forwards and force them out of their element.
Where they'll finish: The only real advantage for Costa Rica in this group is that although these three teams have great pedigrees, they also have enormous pressure. Costa Rica will be able to just play their game, knowing that they face the least pressure to do well in this group.
ENGLAND
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Team Overview: The three lions will have most of the world watching their progress this year in Brasil. Hodgson will have to bring his side to the promised land, or else the backlash will be tremendous. England have the best depth players of anyone in the tournament, and a proven leader in captain Steven Gerrard.
X-Factor: Tactics. England have firepower and an arsenal of weapons, pardon the pun. Gerrard leads a strong midfield section, Leighton Baines has the back line covered, and Wayne Rooney will lead most attacking movements. How all the pieces will fit together in Brasil is up to Hodgson, but his job may well be depending on if he makes the correct choice.
Where they'll finish: If everthing goes the way it should, Uruguay will top the group of death. It'll then be a contest between Euros 2012 finialist Italy, and the three lions. How well Hodgson leads his men will mean life or death for England, and the English hope that he will be up to the task.
ITALY
Manager: Cesare Prandelli
Team Overview: Italy has done well in recent years, winning the World Cup in 2006, and finishing in the finals of the Euros 2012. However, the Italians expect much more, as riots in the streets after the 2013 Confederations Cup showed.
X-Factor: The bad boy, Mario Balotelli. Arguably the most sintillating player after Luis Suarez, Balotelli has every asset a striker could ask for: speed, pace, strength, and finishing ability. However, Balotelli has never been able to play consistently, and that has been his downfall. If he plays well in Brasil, the Italians will go far.
Where they'll finish: The group of death may have hit Italy hardest, as they face the same pressure as England and Uruguay, but do not have quite the players to live up to it. Still, Prandelli will expect nothing but the best from his men, and they have shown flashes of their true potential. Whether or not it will show up in Brasil is another question.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Uruguay, England
Comments