The unusual seedings for the 2014 World Cup resulted in very unbalanced groups. We will see some very strong teams playing against each other in the early stages of the tournament and many people say that there is no clear "group of death". However, if I had to choose one group that stands out as the strongest and most unpredictable it would have to be Group D. Three out of the four teams in Group D are former World Cup champions who are all in fairly good form. The group contains Uruguay, Costa Rica, England and Italy.
Uruguay
Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Star Player: Luis Suarez
Tournament Best: Winners 1930, 1950
How they qualified: AFC vs. CONMEBOL play-off Winners
Uruguay struggled throughout a tough Sth. American qualifying campaign, needing a playoff against Jordan to qualify for the finals. This Uruguayan team should not be underestimated though as it includes players like Suarez, Cavani and Rodriguez. They are also arguably one of the most successful national sides of recent times, reaching the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup and 2013 Confederations Cup and winning the last Copa America in 2011.
Having Luis Suarez in career best form and a very experienced coach, Uruguay will be looking at going deep into the latter stages of the tournament. The area they'll have to focus on the most, as is the case with most South American teams, is discipline. The World Cup is a harsh tournament, one small slip up or loss of concentration and you will be heading back home. If the Uruguayans can keep their composure they could make a huge impact. After all, their greatest footballing moment occurred the last time that Brazil hosted the World Cup in 1950 as they became champions at the Maracana.
Costa Rica
Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto
Star Player: Bryan Ruiz
Tournament Best: Second Round 1990
How they qualified: CONCACAF Fourth Round Runners-up
Costa Rica had a solid qualifying campaign finishing second behind the United States. They can play an exciting brand of football that at times can catch the stronger nations by surprise. Unfortunately they've been handed the toughest draw they could have asked for and qualifying to the second round would be nothing short of a miracle.
There is some talent in this Costa Rica side, including the likes of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. The only way I can see them making an impact is to go out in an attacking mindset and not hold back, sitting back against sides like Uruguay could spell trouble. Either way I can't see Costa Rica getting any points out of their group games, the tough group handed to them means they're going to Brazil just to make up the numbers. At least the hot and humid conditions will suit them.
England
Coach: Roy Hodgson
Star Player: Wayne Rooney
Tournament Best: Winners 1966
How they qualified: UEFA Group H Winners
What can I say about England... it seems like the same story is repeated every four years. The British media hype up the team and their chances relentlessly while the players get more and more nervous as the tournament nears. England go out and try to repeat the heroics from 1966 but continue to fall short and go back home disappointed. Rinse and repeat. Can a few younger players that are in great form reinvigorate this aging squad? There's Sturridge, Townsend and possibly Barkley to choose from.
One thing is for sure in this incredibly tough group, England will have to treat every group match like a final. They will also need to keep the dressing room in good shape, stories of conflict between team mates always surround the English squad. A nice mix of youth and experience could bring England success but I believe Uruguay's physicality and firepower will be too much, while Italy's class and experience will see them through. Anything can happen in this group but seeing England sent packing early would not be a surprise.
Italy
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Star Player: Andrea Pirlo
Tournament Best: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
How they qualified: UEFA Group B Winners
Italy are in a great position, they have great players and great experience. Although this is a tough group their class should see them through surprisingly comfortably. They have had great results in big tournaments recently including finishing 3rd at the 2013 Confederations Cup and finishing 2nd at Euro 2012. Andrea Pirlo is their key man and he seems to be getting better with age, at 34 he is in top form with Juventus. Up front Mario Balotelli offers plenty of firepower.
As long as the players can keep their composure and discipline there is no reason why Italy can't go deep into the latter stages of the tournament. However, they have been known to self implode in the past as they have a few temperamental players. Keeping focus will be their key as their ability and quality goes unquestioned. The coach, Prandelli, has Italy playing an uncharacteristic attractive brand of football. Will this change in philosophy bring rewards? We'll have to wait and find out but I would lean towards yes.
Uruguay
Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Star Player: Luis Suarez
Tournament Best: Winners 1930, 1950
How they qualified: AFC vs. CONMEBOL play-off Winners
Uruguay struggled throughout a tough Sth. American qualifying campaign, needing a playoff against Jordan to qualify for the finals. This Uruguayan team should not be underestimated though as it includes players like Suarez, Cavani and Rodriguez. They are also arguably one of the most successful national sides of recent times, reaching the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup and 2013 Confederations Cup and winning the last Copa America in 2011.
Having Luis Suarez in career best form and a very experienced coach, Uruguay will be looking at going deep into the latter stages of the tournament. The area they'll have to focus on the most, as is the case with most South American teams, is discipline. The World Cup is a harsh tournament, one small slip up or loss of concentration and you will be heading back home. If the Uruguayans can keep their composure they could make a huge impact. After all, their greatest footballing moment occurred the last time that Brazil hosted the World Cup in 1950 as they became champions at the Maracana.
Costa Rica
Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto
Star Player: Bryan Ruiz
Tournament Best: Second Round 1990
How they qualified: CONCACAF Fourth Round Runners-up
Costa Rica had a solid qualifying campaign finishing second behind the United States. They can play an exciting brand of football that at times can catch the stronger nations by surprise. Unfortunately they've been handed the toughest draw they could have asked for and qualifying to the second round would be nothing short of a miracle.
There is some talent in this Costa Rica side, including the likes of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. The only way I can see them making an impact is to go out in an attacking mindset and not hold back, sitting back against sides like Uruguay could spell trouble. Either way I can't see Costa Rica getting any points out of their group games, the tough group handed to them means they're going to Brazil just to make up the numbers. At least the hot and humid conditions will suit them.
England
Coach: Roy Hodgson
Star Player: Wayne Rooney
Tournament Best: Winners 1966
How they qualified: UEFA Group H Winners
What can I say about England... it seems like the same story is repeated every four years. The British media hype up the team and their chances relentlessly while the players get more and more nervous as the tournament nears. England go out and try to repeat the heroics from 1966 but continue to fall short and go back home disappointed. Rinse and repeat. Can a few younger players that are in great form reinvigorate this aging squad? There's Sturridge, Townsend and possibly Barkley to choose from.
One thing is for sure in this incredibly tough group, England will have to treat every group match like a final. They will also need to keep the dressing room in good shape, stories of conflict between team mates always surround the English squad. A nice mix of youth and experience could bring England success but I believe Uruguay's physicality and firepower will be too much, while Italy's class and experience will see them through. Anything can happen in this group but seeing England sent packing early would not be a surprise.
Italy
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Star Player: Andrea Pirlo
Tournament Best: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
How they qualified: UEFA Group B Winners
Italy are in a great position, they have great players and great experience. Although this is a tough group their class should see them through surprisingly comfortably. They have had great results in big tournaments recently including finishing 3rd at the 2013 Confederations Cup and finishing 2nd at Euro 2012. Andrea Pirlo is their key man and he seems to be getting better with age, at 34 he is in top form with Juventus. Up front Mario Balotelli offers plenty of firepower.
As long as the players can keep their composure and discipline there is no reason why Italy can't go deep into the latter stages of the tournament. However, they have been known to self implode in the past as they have a few temperamental players. Keeping focus will be their key as their ability and quality goes unquestioned. The coach, Prandelli, has Italy playing an uncharacteristic attractive brand of football. Will this change in philosophy bring rewards? We'll have to wait and find out but I would lean towards yes.
My Group D Prediction:
1. Italy (7 pts)
2. Uruguay (5 pts)
3. England (4 pts)
4. Costa Rica (0 pts)
