As I write this there are only 78 days until World Cup 2014 kicks off and we continue to preview all the groups. Group C offers a great variety of regions and footballing styles, it contains Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan. There is plenty of quality in this group but also great uncertainty. It seems that all four teams in Group C have high hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Colombia
Coach: Jose Pekerman
Star Player: Radamel Falcao
Tournament Best: Second Round 1990
How they qualified: 2nd in CONMEBOL Round Robin
There are very high expectations for Colombia in this World Cup. Finishing second in a tough South American qualifying campaign is no easy feat. Colombia has a very strong team, including one of the best players in the world (Falcao) and one of the most tactically astute coaches in the world (Pekerman). Being a surprise seed this time around allowed Colombia to get a relatively "easy" draw and this could be their perfect chance to match their tournament best if not more, a real dark horse.
Their biggest question mark will be whether Falcao can reach Brazil fully fit following his major injury earlier in the season. If he doesn't make it, his absence could have a negative impact on the whole team. They will have to battle different styles of football in the group games, a resilient Greece, a strong Ivory Coast and a fast attacking Japan. Keeping focus and discipline will be their key.
Greece
There are very high expectations for Colombia in this World Cup. Finishing second in a tough South American qualifying campaign is no easy feat. Colombia has a very strong team, including one of the best players in the world (Falcao) and one of the most tactically astute coaches in the world (Pekerman). Being a surprise seed this time around allowed Colombia to get a relatively "easy" draw and this could be their perfect chance to match their tournament best if not more, a real dark horse.
Their biggest question mark will be whether Falcao can reach Brazil fully fit following his major injury earlier in the season. If he doesn't make it, his absence could have a negative impact on the whole team. They will have to battle different styles of football in the group games, a resilient Greece, a strong Ivory Coast and a fast attacking Japan. Keeping focus and discipline will be their key.
Greece
Coach: Fernando Santos
Star Player: Georgios Samaras
Tournament Best: Group Stage 1990, 2010
How they qualified: UEFA Playoff winner
Greece had a strong qualifying campaign, albeit against weak nations. They dominated their playoff convincingly against Romania and look to be a handful yet again. Whenever we think about Greece in major tournaments we always think back to their extraordinary Euro 2004 win against all odds. Although their team has changed quite a lot in the last ten years, their characteristics remain the same. A strong defense and remarkable resilience.
Although they're a solid team I highly doubt that their Euro 2004 heroics will be repeated. In my view they will be travelling to Brazil to merely make up the numbers. They might be strong defensively but will find it hard to score any goals too. The quality of their group rivals will be just too much for them to contain.
Ivory Coast
Greece had a strong qualifying campaign, albeit against weak nations. They dominated their playoff convincingly against Romania and look to be a handful yet again. Whenever we think about Greece in major tournaments we always think back to their extraordinary Euro 2004 win against all odds. Although their team has changed quite a lot in the last ten years, their characteristics remain the same. A strong defense and remarkable resilience.
Although they're a solid team I highly doubt that their Euro 2004 heroics will be repeated. In my view they will be travelling to Brazil to merely make up the numbers. They might be strong defensively but will find it hard to score any goals too. The quality of their group rivals will be just too much for them to contain.
Ivory Coast
Coach: Sabri Lamouchi
Star Player: Yaya Toure
Tournament Best: Group Stage 2006, 2010
How they qualified: CAF Third Round winners
Ivory Coast have a very strong squad, including the likes of Drogba, Kalou, Bony and Toure. However, they haven't been able to make an impact in previous World Cup appearances. This might be their best chance at finally progressing to the second round in a very open group. Yaya Toure has been in scintillating form this season and he might just be the catalyst to take them to the next level.
Their biggest problem might be that they will be too predictable. They're a strong and powerful side but in terms of their play they might be easy to nullify. If Drogba or Toure are taken out of the game then they will not be effective and a lack of a plan B might hurt them. The bottom line is that Colombia and Japan have a better brand of football.
Japan
Ivory Coast have a very strong squad, including the likes of Drogba, Kalou, Bony and Toure. However, they haven't been able to make an impact in previous World Cup appearances. This might be their best chance at finally progressing to the second round in a very open group. Yaya Toure has been in scintillating form this season and he might just be the catalyst to take them to the next level.
Their biggest problem might be that they will be too predictable. They're a strong and powerful side but in terms of their play they might be easy to nullify. If Drogba or Toure are taken out of the game then they will not be effective and a lack of a plan B might hurt them. The bottom line is that Colombia and Japan have a better brand of football.
Japan
Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni
Star Player: Shinji Kagawa
Tournament Best: Second Round 2002, 2010
How they qualified: AFC Fourth Round Group B Winners
Japan are now arguably at their best since they hosted the World Cup in 2002. They have a squad full of stars including Kagawa, Honda and Hasebe. After their great triumph at the 2011 Asian Cup they have continued to develop their side and are now a very hard team to beat. The very experienced Italian coach Zaccheroni has Japan playing a very quick and technical style which is both pleasing on the eye and dangerous against any opposition.
The one question that is always raised about Asian teams and which will be raised about Japan is whether they can match the physicality and aggression of the other teams in the group. They might get out muscled easily in matches but they must stay true and believe in their style of play. Conceding from set pieces might also be a problem.
Japan are now arguably at their best since they hosted the World Cup in 2002. They have a squad full of stars including Kagawa, Honda and Hasebe. After their great triumph at the 2011 Asian Cup they have continued to develop their side and are now a very hard team to beat. The very experienced Italian coach Zaccheroni has Japan playing a very quick and technical style which is both pleasing on the eye and dangerous against any opposition.
The one question that is always raised about Asian teams and which will be raised about Japan is whether they can match the physicality and aggression of the other teams in the group. They might get out muscled easily in matches but they must stay true and believe in their style of play. Conceding from set pieces might also be a problem.
My Group C Prediction:
1. Colombia (7 pts)
2. Japan (5 pts)
3. Ivory Coast (4 pts)
4. Greece (0 pts)
