News

First, let’s go to the rich mahogany rugby desk where we find lots of excuses for the Highlanders suffering an unexpected home loss to the Force last weekend. A narrow two-point loss will have knocked their confidence a bit but it was close and every cloud has a silver lining (and all those other well worn sports clichés that could be invoked here). They will just have to take it one game at a time. The reality is that it’s early days of a long season so I will not abandon ship at this early point.

However, I will allow myself to say – even if it is at the risk of starting off the process to joining the Chiefs’ bandwagon – Waikato are looking strong.
Actually, I have always supported the Chiefs – in a roundabout kind of way. When I was younger I didn’t really understand what the Waikato was. I just knew I was geographically obligated to hate the Crusaders and I didn’t like the Blues and the Hurricanes because they were the evil big cities. So I would always support the Chiefs when they weren’t playing the Highlanders. (There, not a bandwagon jumper – although I am definitely not a Breakers fan anymore ... )

This week we continue the road to Brazil with a look at the very tough Group B that contains both finalists from the previous World Cup. While it has not been given official “group of death” status yet, stay tuned for that in a few weeks.

Next week we will continue our football “analysis” and have an “in-depth” look at the UEFA Champions League that is shaping up very nicely.

Spain
UEFA - Union of European Football Associations
Population: 47 million
Currency: Euro
Capital: Madrid
Language: Their nickname – La Furia Roja (“The Red Fury”) – has been warranted recently.
FIFA World Ranking: 1st
Qualified: Winner of qualifying Group I
Fun Fact: They’re the only team in history to have won three consecutive major tournaments: World Cup 2010 and Euro 2008 and 2012
History: They’ve had a pretty easy qualifying run but lost the Confederations Cup final to Brazil.
Key Players: Barcelona provides an experienced spine for the team with Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas. The Manchester City trio of Silva, Navas and Negredo shows the depth they have.
Prediction: Are among the favourites but some tired old legs will catch up with them in a semi-final loss to the eventual winner..

Netherlands
UEFA - Union of European Football Associations
Population: 17 million
Currency: Euro
Capital: Amsterdam
Language: The team is often informally, and incorrectly, referred to as Holland by many.
FIFA World Ranking: 11th
Qualified: Winner of qualifying Group D
Fun Fact: Dirk Kuyt could reach 100 caps during the group stages if he plays all three games. Wesley Sneijder can also bring up a hundy if the “Flying Dutchmen” make it to next round.
History: Went from being runners up in 2010 to not making it out of their group at Euro 2012, but recently went undefeated in qualifying for Brazil.
Key Players: Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who was the overall top scorer in World Cup qualification with 11 goals, has the firepower to win big games.
Prediction: A very solid squad that should go through. They will be a threat in the knockout stages but won’t make it back to the final.

Chile
CONMEBOL – Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol
Population: 18 million
Currency: Peso
Capital: Santiago
Language: in Spanish, fans call them La Roja (“the red one”).
FIFA World Ranking: 15th
Qualified: third place in the South American group.
Fun Fact: Consistency without any major success recently makes them the Arsenal of international teams.
History: Best result is an irrelevant third place in 1962 when they hosted the tourney. They have recently beat England in London.
Key Players: Arturo Vidal of Juventus and Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez are capable of producing game changing moments. (Well, they do on FIFA 14.)
Prediction: The dark horses of the group. The “South American home ground advantage” could benefit them.

Australia
AFC – Asian Football Confederation
Population: 23 million
Currency: “Aussie dollar”
Capital: Canberra
Language: Their nickname – the “Socceroos” – is derived from an uneducated-sounding understanding of English.
FIFA World Ranking: 63rd
Qualified: Finished as runner up of Asian Group B
Fun Fact: In 2006 they became the first team to qualify for the World Cup via a penalty shoot-out when they beat Uruguay 4 - 2 in Sydney.
History: Only two wins from their three previous World Cup appearances. Recently were thrashed 6 - 0 by both Brazil and France.
Key Players: I like their captain Mile Jedinak who plays for my boys Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Prediction: Lowest ranked team who are there to make up the numbers. A few lucky goals maybe but no wins. The shrimps will be on the barbie quite early.