08.01.2014 The countdown to next summer can finally begin for football fans around the globe, as the World Cup draw for the Brazil 2014 finals has been made. Here we preview the teams drawn in Group C.
Columbia
One of the strongest teams from the South American qualifiers is Columbia. The top seeds of the group are ranked 4th in the world, and are favorites to top the group in their first appearance in the finals for over 16 years. They finished second in the final standings of The CONMEBOL qualifying table, conceding the fewest goals of 13 on their route to qualification. Their danger man without doubt is Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco). The €60m man ended the qualifying campaign as top goalscorer for his country with 9 goals, and will be a major concern to the defences of group C.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast boast a team with plenty of Premier League pedigree and many will fancy them to qualify from Group C. If they were to qualify to the Knockout stages it will register as their best ever World Cup finish, after failing to progress from the group stage in their 2 other appearance in the Finals (2006, 2010). The key player for the Ivory Coast is Yaya Toure who has been the engine of the Manchester City team this season. He will be expected to be a rock for his country this summer as well.
Greece
This is a team that loves to prove people wrong. The Euro 2004 champions are in a tough group, but will be hoping the influence of experienced internationals like captain, Giorgos Karagounis will help them progress to the Knockout Stages, a stage they have never reached before at the World Cup. Dimitrios Salpingidis also adds experience to the team at the age of 32 with 72 caps. His speed up front will pose a threat on the counter-attack for Greece, who are predominately a defensive minded side.
Japan
The Japenese Team are proving a tough side to beat under Manager Alberto Zaccheroni, topping the group, ahead of Australia in the final stages of Qualification, losing only once. A team with a defensive mentality, who are dangerous on the attack, will be taken very seriously by the other teams in Group C. All eyes are on Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa who offers the Japan side an attacking option from midfield, scoring 16 goals in 52 caps for his country. He will be looking to add to that tally this summer as he looks to guide the Japanese to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
