A football World Cup without Brazil is unimaginable. And the Samba team as hosts is just the desired icing but that would increase the pressure manifolds. So, is the home side ready for the show of showsIJ Amit Chaudhary tries to find out
Of all the 32 teams participating in the FIFA World Cup 2014, Brazil is probably the only one that features in everyone’s list of ‘favourites’. It’s not their form but the history that keeps them in such good stead.
Brazil, the greatest team in World Cup history, have won it five times — the most by any team. But, its only one of the reasons and each and every fan has his/her own explanation for the support. The Samba flair in their style of play, the great players that they have produced over the years, the passion the country has for football, all combine to make Brazil the soul of this ‘beautiful game’.
History, however, represents past. Present is represented by form and less is known about Brazil’s competitive form because they qualified for the 2014 World Cup as the host nation.
Having said that, Brazil won the 2013 Confederations Cup, where they were once again hosts, to silence their critics. They eased past Japan in the opening game and retained their dominance by beating increasingly difficult oppositions as the tournament progressed. Both Mexico and Italy fell by a two goal margin before Uruguay lost 2-1, setting up a mouth watering clash with Spain - powerhouse of the modern football.
In the final, Brazil produced an outstanding display of attractive, attacking and brutally effective football to steamroll the world champions Spain 3-0. Their resolute style of play brought back to the reckoning a Brazilian side that had remained dormant for nearly a decade. Despite the fact that they had won the Confederations Cup thrice in a row, their performance in the 2010 World Cup had indicated the fact that they were a side in decline.
That result turned the ripples of hope around this team into a giant wave on which the expectations of a nation, as well as the fans across the world, rest. Will the hope reach its crestIJ Well, that will be known only on July 13, 2014.
But, a cursory look at the squad gives you feeling of a well balanced and solid bunch of talented players who have the wherewithal to lift that trophy. Coach luiz Felipe Scolari has assembled a squad that may not be rich in flair and panache but has a mixture of all components — flair, stability and experience — that are required to become a champion.
Julio Caesar, in all likelihood, will guard the goal while Thiago Silva is guaranteed at the back. David luiz could turn out either way. Though Scolari has back-ups available in Dante and Henrique, his is very unlikely to use them. The experienced Dani Alves and Marcelo would undoubtedly be the first-choice.
Oscar, Paulinho, luiz Gustavo make for a formidable midfield that is there to provide stability. Oscar has a very important role of looking for openings in the opposition defense.
The striker force is the icing on the cake with Fred, Neymar and Hulk forming a dangerous trio. We all had an excellent insight into Fred’s ability last year at the Confederations Cup and we shouldn’t be surprised if we find Fred at the top of the scoring charts this time around.
Neymar, on the other hand, has always performed better for his country than his club.Scolari himself acknowledged the fact and tried to explain the reason. Without intending any criticism, Scolari said that it is all about the tactics the two sides employ.
Scolari, interestingly, was the man who helped Brazil to their fifth and last World Cup title in 2002. Since his departure, Brazil has been on a constant decline and his re-appointment before this World Cup was seen as a step back.
However, Scolari has once again worked his magic and transformed the young and inexperienced Brazilian side into potential World Champions. And the transformation has come so quickly that the other top teams from the world failed to keep pace with them. The current squad has the necessary components to bring home the World Cup for a record sixth time.
Though Scolari has to face criticism for dropping big names like lucas Moura, Philippe Coutinho and Filipe luis, the transformation that he has brought in the team must have helped him win back some of the critics.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar, Jefferson, Victor
Defenders: Marcelo, Daniel Alves, Maicon, Maxwell, Thiago Silva, David luiz, Dante, Henrique
Midfielders: Paulinho, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Hernanes, luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho
Forwards: Bernard, Neymar, Fred, Jo, Hulk
For the record
Brazil are the most successful national football team in the history of World Cup, with five championships: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 and are the only nation to have played in all World Cup editions. They have done that without the need for play-offs.
They are also the only team to have won the World Cup in four different continents — once in Europe (1958 Sweden), once in South America (1962 Chile), twice in North America (1970 Mexico and 1994 United States) and once in Asia (2002 Korea/Japan). They also share with Spain a record of 35 consecutive official matches undefeated.
Being hosts, they automatically qualified for the tournament. They have won 67, drawn 15 and lost 15 in 97 matches played in their 19 tries.
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