World Cup Preview - Part I: South America and Asia
More than a dozen Manchester United players are likely to feature in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with the big kick off now just 204 days away. Qualification concluded on Wednesday when Mexico and Uruguay became the final pair of teams to reach the World Cup, which runs from Thursday, 12 June to Sunday, 13 July 2014. Across six confederations, 203 teams produced 828 qualifying matches and 2297 goals. In all 32 qualifiers will take part across 12 Brazilian venues from Manaus in the north to Porto Alegre some 2,000 miles south.
The draw for the tournament will be held in Rio de Janeiro on 6 December, with more than a few nervous coaches hoping to avoid the inevitable ‘group of death’ at the first stage, including England manager Roy Hodgson.
In this three part guide to the World Cup, Rant looks at the teams, the stadia and most importantly the Manchester United players and connections we are likely to see in Brazil. Some are more tenuous than others!
Brazil
Qualified: as hosts
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Veteran Scolari is into his 23rd coaching position in a career that has twice come round to the Seleção. Scolari may have failed at Chelsea, but 20 major trophies, including the 2002 World Cup, underpin his status in the world game.
Brazil host World Cup 2014 with more than 200 million Brazilians expecting comprehensive victory in Estádio do Maracanã on 13 July. Absolutely, positively, nothing less will do. Fortunately, Scolari has fashioned, if not a classic Brazilian side in the 1970 mold, then a highly talented one. Victory over Spain in last summer’s Confederation Cup final confirms Brazil will be formidable opponents on home soil where Barcelona’s Neymar is the star turn.
United connection: United’s trio of Brazilians Anderson, Rafael da Silva and Fabio da Silva, are highly unlikely to make Seleção. Anderson has not featured from the national team since 2008, while Fábio has not played since international since his debut on 22 September 2011. Rafael, who has two full caps, featured in last year’s Olympics as an under-23 player, but was roundly accused of underperforming in the Wembley final. He hasn’t featured for the full side since.
Argentina
Qualified: top of CONMEBOL qualifying with 32 points from 16 games
Manager: Alejandro Sabella
Sabella, 59, is a former Leeds United and international midfielder, who formed a long-term coaching partnership with Daniel Passarella, before becoming Argentina coach in 2011.
Sabella’s team has a chance, as any side that includes Lionel Messi does, but Argentina has flattered to deceive so often since reaching the final in 1990. Messi certainly isn’t a failure at international level, although 37 goals in 83 internationals is nowhere near his club record, but it is with the diminutive Barcelona forward that a nation’s hopes rest. Sergio Agüero, Érik Lamela, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ángel di María will surely provide the firepower to take Argentina to the knockout stages.
United connection: there are no United players in the Argentina squad, although the Reds were close to a deal with Benfica for the defender Ezequiel Garay last summer. David Moyes’ appointment appears to have nixed a move for the former Real Madrid centre-back.
Colombia
Qualified: second in CONMEBOL qualifying with 30 points from 16 games
Manager: José Pékerman
Argentine Pékerman was once considered a specialist youth coach in developing a highly successful Argentina under-20 side in the 1990s. Two years in charge of the national team ended after World Cup 2006 when Argentina crashed out to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Los Cafeteros produced an outstanding qualification campaign, losing at home only to Argentina. But, then, we have been here before, with a high-quality Colombia outfit often failing on the big stage. There may be few world stars in this Colombia side, but that should not deflect from the genuine threat Pékerman’s side will pose on South American soil. The draw will be crucial, but fifth-ranked Colombia will be disappointed if a quarter-final spot is not booked. Radamel Falcao, James Rodríguez and Jackson Martínez will lead an attacking line-up.
United connection: no Colombians have ever played for United, although there was plenty of speculation about a move for Rodríguez last summer – a rumour swiftly ended by Monaco’s deep pockets. Meanwhile, youthful Porto winger Juan Fernando Quintero has been scouted.
Alexis Sanchez
Chile
Qualified: third in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points from 16 games
Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
Sampaoli has built a strong reputation over a decade of coaching across South America. The Argentine enjoy no playing career of note, but secured three major trophies with Universidad de Chile before taking over the national team in December 2012.
If there was any doubt about Chile’s quality the debate should have been ended by the comprehensive nature of victory over England at Wembley. Chile’s football is often slick, with neat passing exchanges and a love of possession to match any. And in Sampaoli the nation has a coach prepared to be tactically flexible. The smooth transition between a back three and a back five is likely to flumox more than one side at the World Cup.
In midfield Juventus’ Arturo Vidal and Fiorentina’s Matías Fernández provide silk and steel, while Barcelona forward Alexis Sánchez will surely break the national scoring record over the next two years. Sánchez, who is currently enjoying his finest season at Barcelona, has 22 goals in 62 caps for the national side.
United connection: Sir Alex Ferguson twice attempted, and failed, to secure Sánchez’ signature for the Reds. The former Udinese forward signed for Barça in July 2011 much to the Scot’s chagrin.