World Cup 2014 Draw
The World Cup is imminent with 2014 just a couple of weeks away. And with the [World Cup 2014 draw](www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10498863/World-Cup-2014-draw-live.html) just happened, here is my reaction and perhaps, a prediction.
Group A: Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Croatia
Interesting group, but since Brazil is the host, they would most likely top the group. The question would be, who will follow Brazil to the next round? Led by Eto'o, Cameroon used to be a dark horse, but I’d say they will end last and the 2nd position will be up for grab between Mexico and Croatia - though European teams usually won’t do well in South American nations.
Group B: Spain, Chile, Australia, Netherlands
The second group of death in terms of the teams inside. Spain vs Netherlands will be one of the must-watch games of the tournament and might be the decider as well, also if you can’t remember it is the last match of World Cup 2010. Australia is unlucky to be placed in such a group, they will need all the luck they have to reach the next round while Chile can prove that they can punch more weight this time around.
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
This is the group where I would say the quality is more or less the same so while it might be hard to predict who will go through the next round, it might also be an amusing matches to watch since the positions are up for grabs. I’m going with Ivory Coast and the dragon, Japan.
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
If Uruguay and Italy placed in the same group is not enough, Three Lions aka England is there to fight and actually beat the huge expectation by its fans. With Suarez on his hot form and far better than he was four years ago in South Africa, it might come to England or Italy who will go through with Uruguay! Plus, some might say this is the third group of death (yes, we might have that many group of deaths this time around) with three World Cup winners in one group.
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, France
With my utmost respect to all the nations in Group E, I’d say France has gotten itself an easy group. Although some might debate that the golden era of France is over, players like Nasri, Cabaye, and Ben Arfa are great and getting even better. To the next round for the French, and Switzerland will be trying its hardest to nick the second place from Ecuador.
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria
Messi has won everything except a title for his nation, the #10 captain will get his chance to prove he can perform as good if not better for Argentina (compared to Barcelona). He’s injured now but it might be good for Argentina because he’s getting the rest he hasn’t got for years now. Bosnia and Iran will be an easy meat for him while Nigeria will do just enough to get the second place.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
The Group of Death, seriously, it IS the group of death. Germany might be one of the favorites to win the World Cup but with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring goals when he wants to, Ghana who has always been a dark horse from one tournament to another, and USA who is trained by its ex-manager Klinsmann. It won’t be a walk in the park for them. It is as open as it can be and I can’t even decide my pick for this group.
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Belgium will be my dark horse in this tournament, and one of my favorites for Euro 2016. On the paper, its squad has tons of potential and if that potential comes with more experience, they are the team to beat in this group. Russian squad has not been performing as well as of late, the Korean is there to win the second position from them if they are underestimating the Asian country.
There you go, I might be adding some more opinions, but this is the fastest reaction I can type after watching the draw. Tweet me @jshkvn and let me know your opinion!