India defender Gouramangi Singh tips Brazil for World Cup glory

Gouramangi Singh’s earliest FIFA World Cup memory is a poster of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning squad with a certain Ronaldo in it. Back then he was only eight years old and thus doesn’t remember too many incidents from that edition but he still recalled keeping a track of events by reading the sports section of the newspapers in his school library.

“We always made it a point to go through the newspapers during the library period. Sometimes our library teacher would get annoyed but we didn’t get to watch the matches as it used to take place late at night so the newspapers kept us updated about the results. I remember the names of Bebeto-Romario but only watched some goals and highlights that year,” Gouramangi told Sportskeeda in an exclusive chat.

The Manipuri started seriously watching the World Cup from the 1998 edition in France and revealed that he had a fondness for Italy.

“I don’t support any nation in particular but I always seemed to have a soft corner for Italy. I don’t know if that’s the reason why I became a defender but I always liked the way the Italian players would carry themselves on the pitch. I remember reading a lot about Paolo Maldini. He was by far the most famous defender when I was growing up and later when I watched him play, I learnt so much,” he added.

Gouramangi won’t be supporting any team in the 2014 edition also but believes hosts and five-time world champions Brazil are best equipped to go all the way.

“I have been telling my friends that Brazil are the favourites. I believe that they are the only nation that doesn’t depend on any one player in particular. In every department they have quality and home advantage will also be a big factor. In the past right from the 1994 to 2006 editions, Brazil would always rely on one great individual but recently they have become more of a team and thus are not overdependent on anyone.,” he opined.

The IMG-Reliance contracted player stated that although Neymar is the most-talked about player in the Brazil squad, the Selecao have other great players also.

“Neymar obviously is a great player but if you see their defence its world class. In Thiago Silva, Dante and David Luiz they have three of the best centre-backs. Then there are quality fullbacks in Dani Alves and Marcelo. There is plenty of power and flexibility in midfield and in attack Hulk can have a great physical presence. Collectively they are just too strong,” he said.

Gouramangi is a keen follower of the English Premier League and watched plenty of Liverpool games last season. He is an admirer of Liverpool’s style of play under Brendan Rodgers and echoed Paul Scholes’s view of England emulating the Reds.

“Watching Liverpool last season was a joy. They have so much quality and pace in their side. In the past many English youngsters have been overhyped like Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips but this time I think their youth have genuine potential with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling in particular having outstanding seasons. I think if England can try and play like Liverpool, they will get past the group stage even though they are in a tough group with Uruguay and Italy,” the 2010 AIFF Player of the Year added.

Gouramangi hopes that Luis Suarez recovers in time for the group stage and like many picked Belgium to be among the darkhorses.

“Belgium have a lot of potential and I think they and England can surprise many people in this World Cup. I say England because they are always hyped and eventually they fail but this time with so many runners in their team, I think they will do much better than expected,” he concluded.