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Eagles Among Five Teams Set To Shine At BRAZIL 2014 - Sports - Nairaland

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Eagles Among Five Teams Set To Shine At BRAZIL 2014 by striker9(m): 5:20am On Nov 22, 2013
RESILIENCE: Super Eagles Oladapo Olufemi (C)
vies for the ball with Ivory Coast’s players
during the 2014 African Nations Championship
(CHAN) qualifying match on July 27, 2013 at
the Robert-Champroux Stadium in Abidjan.
Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2 – 0. Nigeria
qualify on 4-3 aggregate. PHOTO AFP
With the World Cup qualifying race now over,
and the group stage draw almost upon us,
Brazil’s 2014 World Cup is starting to shape up.
With 32 nations taking to the field and an array
of stars, it’s certainly something to look forward
to and everyone will be dreaming of success.
The favourites for the tournament consist of the
same names we see every 4 years- Spain,
Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Germany. However,
there are many teams that could surprise at next
year’s tournament.
While realistic predictions cannot be made until
after the draw on December 6th, we can already
start to wonder who will cause upsets next year
and could potentially prove to be a stumbling
block for some of the world’s elite.
Next year, we can expect to see some similar
circumstances and we are backing these teams
to provide some shocks
Switzerland
Switzerland comfortably qualified for next
Summer’s tournament after finishing unbeaten
and top of Group E.
In the end, they finished 7 points ahead of
second-placed Iceland. While Slovenia and
Norway, who could’ve been expected to do well,
finished outside the places.RESILIENCE: Super Eagles Oladapo Olufemi (C)
vies for the ball with Ivory Coast’s players
during the 2014 African Nations Championship
(CHAN) qualifying match on July 27, 2013 at
the Robert-Champroux Stadium in Abidjan.
Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2 – 0. Nigeria
qualify on 4-3 aggregate. PHOTO AFP
With the World Cup qualifying race now over,
and the group stage draw almost upon us,
Brazil’s 2014 World Cup is starting to shape up.
With 32 nations taking to the field and an array
of stars, it’s certainly something to look forward
to and everyone will be dreaming of success.
The favourites for the tournament consist of the
same names we see every 4 years- Spain,
Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Germany. However,
there are many teams that could surprise at next
year’s tournament.
While realistic predictions cannot be made until
after the draw on December 6th, we can already
start to wonder who will cause upsets next year
and could potentially prove to be a stumbling
block for some of the world’s elite.
Next year, we can expect to see some similar
circumstances and we are backing these teams
to provide some shocks
Switzerland
Switzerland comfortably qualified for next
Summer’s tournament after finishing unbeaten
and top of Group E.
In the end, they finished 7 points ahead of
second-placed Iceland. While Slovenia and
Norway, who could’ve been expected to do well,
finished outside the places.
Top-scorer for the Swiss was Fabian Schar,
surprisingly, a centre-back for FC Basel.
One of those expected to shine for the Swiss is
Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri, while former
West Ham man Valon Behrami can also
contribute from midfield.
Other notable players include Napoli duo
Gokhan Inler and Blerim Džemaili.
A fair few of the players that featured for the
Swiss in qualifying ply their trade in the
Bundesliga and there’s also many in the Serie A.
Much of Switzerland’s success depends on the
group stage draw and whether they can avoid
the big guns in the other pots. However, they’ll
have a big advantage after being among the top
eight seeds.
Super Eagles
The Super Eagles were the first African team to
qualify for Brazil after their comfortable 4-1
aggregate victory over Ethiopia.
The team won the last African Cup of Nations
and also had an unbeaten qualifying campaign.
With strikers like Fenerbache’s Emmanuel
Emenike, Shola Ameobi and Bright Dike to
choose from, the front-line of the attack is
strong.
Premier League duo John Obi Mikel and Victor
Moses are star names in midfield, while in
defence, Coach Stephen Keshi can rely on the
likes of Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile,
Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose..
With Nigeria’s success at the World Cup
depending on the big names they have, it’ll be a
chance for others to see their own name in lights
and help Nigeria become the star African team
of the tournament.
The draw will have a huge impact for Nigeria
but progression to the knockout rounds is
achievable. They could prove to be the Achilles
heel for the bigger nations.
Chile
Chile’s friendly victory over England at Wembley
showed the strength of this South American
side.
Chile finished third in their qualifying, which
was missing a notable opponent as Brazil
qualified automatically as hosts.
However, they were only 4 points behind leaders
Argentina and Lionel Messi.
A lot will be said of Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez,
especially after his brace at Wembley, but he’s
not the only player to look out for.
Juventus duo Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla will
be key in defence and midfield, while up front
Wigan’s Jean Beausejour will also be in the
spotlight.
The Chileans have two major factors in their
favour, the first being among the top eight seeds
and the latter that this is a South American
World Cup, giving them a lot of support
Colombia
Any team featuring Radamel Falcao needs to be
feared.
It’s not just Falcao that the other 31 teams
should be wary of though. They finished just two
points behind Argentina in qualifying and
finished second overall.
Other star players include the experienced
defenders Mario Yepes and Luis Perea, while in
midfield there is the creativity of James
Rodriguez.
Teo Gutierrez will partner Falcao up front and is
an ideal partner for the Monaco ace. Falcao
gives defenders sleepness nights on his own but
with Gutierrez alongside there’s even more to
worry about.
Colombia can really push at the World Cup next
year. Top seeds and a South American
tournament will pay hugely in their favour.
This team can push far into the knockout rounds,
surprising a few on the way and making for some
great viewing.
Belgium
I almost left this side out of the article simply for
how superb they’ve been. Frankly, it’s debatable
putting them as a ‘surprise’ for next Summer.
The Belgian’s squad in astonishing. In goal they
have Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois to
choose from, which provides a headache in itself.
Defenders on the books include
ManchesterCity’s Vincent Kompany, Athletico
Madrid’s Toby Alderwereld, Bayern’s Daniel Van
Buyten, Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen and Arsenal’s
Thomas Vermaelen.
In midfield there’s the likes of Fellaini, Witsel,
Dembele, Chadli and Hazard.
Moving up-front, we see Benteke, Lukaku,
Mirallas Dries Mertens. Yikes.
Top-seeded, unbeaten in qualifying and with an
array of stars at their disposal. Belgium will be
optimistic of their chances this year.
The other 31 teams need to be careful. The
Belgians are on the prowl.

www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/eagles-among-five-teams-set-shine-brazil-2014/
Re: Eagles Among Five Teams Set To Shine At BRAZIL 2014 by Syenite(m): 6:13am On Nov 22, 2013
This ur story too long abeg. undecided
Re: Eagles Among Five Teams Set To Shine At BRAZIL 2014 by striker9(m): 8:13am On Nov 22, 2013
Syenite: This ur story too long abeg. undecided
lol

(1) (Reply)

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