FIFA World Cup 2014 Group C Preview: - Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece, Japan
Group C comprising of Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece, Japan is a very geographically diverse group, representing 4 totally different regions. Despite the presence of several talented players, the group lacks World Cup pedigree: None of the teams has made a quarter-final till date. Each team has at least one major weakness, some of which cancel each other out – which means all six fixtures are likely to be good fun.
| S.No. | Date | Time | Teams | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14/6 | 21:30 | Colombia vs Greece | Belo Horizonte | Estadio Mineirao |
| 2 | 15/6 | 06:30 | Ivory Coast vs Japan | Recife | Arena Pernambuco |
| 3 | 19/6 | 21:30 | Colombia v Ivory Coast | Brasilia | Estadio Nacional |
| 4 | 20/6 | 03:30 | Japan v Greece | Natal | Arena das Dunas |
| 5 | 25/6 | 01:30 | Japan v Colombia | Cuiaba | Arena Pantanal |
| 6 | 25/6 | 01:30 | Greece v Ivory Coast | Fortaleza | Estadio Castelao |
Locations
Cuiaba, Recife, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Natal
Temperature could be a major factor in Brazil. At the Confederations Cup last year, the intense summer heat was a huge problem for teams from outside South America, with 8 Italian players requesting a half-time substitution against Brazil. That naturally hands Colombia an added weapon. In addition to being the strongest team in Group C, they have already used the weather to their advantage in qualifying, scheduling all their home matches at mid-afternoon in hot Barranquilla.
As you can see, three of the venues (Fortaleza, Recife or Natal) are coastal cities, usually warmer and more humid than cities away from the coast. Curiously, all three of Colombia’s venues are in the hinterland (Cuiaba, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte), where the peak daily temperatures are significantly lower. It’s risky to rely excessively on these things, but the cooler weather might level the playing field for their opponents.
Team Guide
Colombia
FIFA Ranking : 8
World Cup background: This is Colombia’s 5th WC appearance. They scored the only ‘Olympico goal’ in a World Cup till date, with Marcos Coll netting directly from a corner during a 4-4 thriller against the Soviet Union in 1962. Memories of 1994 are far less pleasant: captain Andres Escobar was murdered after his own goal against hosts USA effectively put Colombia out of the competition.
Road to the World Cup
Finished second to Argentina in the table, scoring 27 goals in 16 games. The highlight was a 4-0 demolition of Copa America champions Uruguay at home. AS Monaco forwards led the campaign: Radamel Falcao finished top scorer with 9 goals, while James Rodriguez created 43 chances, the highest for any CONMEBOL player.
Japan
FIFA Ranking : 46
World Cup background: Japan didn’t even have a professional domestic league till 1993; now they’re taking part in their 5th consecutive World Cup, having hosted the 2002 edition. It’s been a meteoric rise fuelled by money, foreign know-how and work ethic. While a technically brilliant side, Japan are yet to figure out the knockout stages.
Road to the World Cup
First country to qualify for Brazil 2014, finishing 4 points clear of Australia in the Asia group. AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda (at the time a CSKA Moscow player) was the top scorer with 5 goals.
For more information, read Japan Team Preview.
Ivory Coast
FIFA Ranking : 23
World Cup background: Ivory Coast have been a shade unlucky in their previous World Cup appearances (2006 and 2010), getting drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ and finishing 3rd both times. Their ‘golden generation’ has underachieved severely at the national level; Didier Drogba and the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, will be desperate to do well in what might be a final hurrah.
Road to the World Cup
One of only two nations to finish unbeaten in African qualifying (the other being Nigeria). They overcame Senegal 5-3 on aggregate in the play-offs. Lille man Salomon Kalou was top scorer with 5 goals.
For more information, read Ivory Coast Preview.
Greece
FIFA Ranking : 12
World Cup background: In two previous appearances (1994 and 2010), they have won 1 match, beating Nigeria. The Greeks are classic underdogs – lacking any real stars, but with fantastic team spirit. They will need it in spades if they are to get a whiff of the knockouts in Brazil.
Road to the World Cup:Finished 2nd to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their qualifying group; then beat Romania 4-2 in the play-offs. Their top scorer was Dimitris Salpingidis with 3 goals.
Key Fixtures
Colombia vs Ivory Coast on 19th June. These two are the strongest sides on paper, and the difference in style – a typically Latin American, free-flowing side against a physically strong African side – should make this an interesting contest.
The opening fixture, Colombia vs Greece on 14th June, will be a fascinating clash of opposites. Colombia are a watered-down version of Argentina, with great attackers and a poor defence; Greece are inherently defensive but lack firepower upfront. This could be either very boring or very entertaining.
Observations
Even without Radamel Falcao, Colombia have the sheer quality to force their way into the knockouts. But their defence lacks pace or ability, and this could be exploited by the likes of Drogba and Yaya Toure.
Ivory Coast’s main problem is age – at 29, Kalou is the youngest survivor from the golden generation. Yaya Toure has had a great season with City, but a knee injury could keep him out of their opening fixtures, and that could prove vital if Drogba – in the twilight of his career - fails to deliver.
Greece are the worst side technically and creatively, while Japan are perhaps the best on both counts. If results were determined by visual appeal alone, both would hold very different FIFA rankings! Japan lost thrice at last summer’s Confederations Cup and lack a good striker, which could be their undoing against packed defences like Greece. While Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda flourished as central attackers, both have struggled out wide since joining Manchester United and AC Milan respectively. This tournament provides a good chance for them to remind the world of their abilities.
Greece could well be a surprise package: they knocked a resurgent Russia out of Euro 2012 on the final matchday, and their ability to grind out favourable results has been well-known since Euro 2004.
Predictions
Groups of Death are passe. Group C could be the first ever Group of Underdogs: 4 teams with a lot to prove, but none good enough to last the distance. The relative lack of World Cup experience makes predictions difficult, though. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt. If you disagree with the order suggested - you can see the comments section below, and you know what to do.
| Team | Points |
| Colombia | 7 |
| Ivory Coast | 4 |
| Greece | 3 |
| Japan | 2 |
To read other Group Previews, click here: FIFA World Cup Group Previews