Only four teams have the capacity to win the World Cup – Dempo coach Arthur Papas

After making their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 1974 Cup in West Germany, it took Australia 32 more years to feature again in the world’s biggest competition. Interestingly their second appearance also came on German soil and the Socceroos surprised many by reaching the round of 16.

That achievement brought immense joy to Australians all around the world including Dempo’s Aussie coach Arthur Papas.

“My favorite World Cup memory is from 2006 when Harry Kewell scored the late equaliser against Croatia to send Australia into the second round. For us after waiting 32 years as a nation to make another World Cup to progress beyond the group stages was a moment you never forget,” Papas stated during an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda about the World Cup.

His first World Cup memory though dates back to 1986 when he was just six years old but still recalls the brilliance of Diego Maradona.

“My first real memory was watching the 1986 World Cup as a six year old. It was the tournament when Diego Maradona led Argentina to glory and the manner in which he dominated the tournament, his flair and wizardry left an imprint on me and growing up he was always my favourite footballer,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2014 edition, Papas doesn’t believe Australia have much of a chance of advancing from a group that comprises Spain, Netherlands and Chile.

“I think Australia has their work cut out as at the moment we are really going through a transition period. Due to the success of the generation from 2006 we held on too long to begin the transition and also the younger players did not stand up enough to force the change, so right now we are in a difficult period I feel. However, we have a great coach who will definitely get the best out of whoever walks out on the park but right now the likes of Spain, Chile and Holland are much more advanced for this tournament,” the former India U-22 coach opined.

Papas was born in Melbourne but is of Greek origin and is also a big fan of Panathinaikos and thus spoke about the prospects of the 2004 European champions, who are placed in Group C alongside Colombia, Ivory Coast and Japan.

“Greece on the other hand has a more realistic chance of progressing through the group stages. They have a very resilient team and the coach Fernando Santos has done very well considering there are no genuine world-class players within the side. I think their group is one of the most open so if they can win their opening game against Colombia I see them progressing,” he said.

Besides Australia and Greece, Papas is looking forward to watching several other teams and study them thoroughly.

“Tactically I am interested in analysing the USA who under Jurgen Klinsmann plays with a diamond midfield in their 1-4-4-2 and also teams like Chile, Mexico and Italy who in the lead up have played with a back three. I find these teams interesting due to the way they employ their specific formations and it affects their playing style,” he added.

Talking about the favourites and darkhorses, Papas pointed out that only four nations have the quality of lifting the trophy on July 13.

“I feel there are only four teams who have the capacity to win the World Cup this time round, those being Brazil, Argentina, Spain or Germany. All of them have players who have a point of difference as well as the depth and experience to handle the pressure of such a big tournament.

“In terms of darkhorses if Chile can progress beyond the group stages and keep their best players on the park they have a very proactive style of play that has the capacity to cause many problems. Also, I am interested to see how the Japanese fare as they have a very technically efficient team and in Alberto Zaccheroni a coach who has influenced the team positively,” Papas commented.

He believes there are several candidates for the individual honours but backed Lionel Messi to go all the way.

“Golden Ball winner I see coming from a host of players comprising of Neymar, Messi, Aguero, Ozil or Iniesta. If I had to pick one player, I am optimistic it could be the tournament that Messi fulfils his destiny and leads Argentina to victory on Brazilian soil. This victory would possibly place Messi as the greatest player of all time which I still feel is not something he can claim until he takes his country to World Cup victory in the same way Diego Maradona did in 1986. If he is to do this he would ultimately claim the Golden Boot at the same time,” he concluded.