The Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup has finally begun! Here are some first-week highlights
While the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup has just started, and some of you might still be recovering from the early morning opening match, we take a look at the first week of group stage games.
While it may take a while for some teams to warm up their engines, many will be hungry for glory and raring to go, and to get a good start. Often, a solid opening showing leaves an intimidating impression on their subsequent opponents.
We help you by picking some of the most anticipated games of the opening week. Be sure not to miss these amazing first clashes!
Brazil vs Croatia [Opening Match] 13 Jun, 4am
Many of you would still be recovering from staying up late last night to catch this opening match. While Croatia is not fancied, they once were 3rd in the World Cup and it remains to be seen how their stars will shine and how far they will progress in the competition.
The opening match is expected to be the perfect chance for the host side, El Seleção, to showcase their supremacy on the world stage.
Spain vs Netherlands
14 Jun, 3am
Spain vs Netherlands is a long-expected rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final. However, the teams are not the same. Many have ruled Spain’s aging squad out of the running this year.
The Dutch will surely be hungry for revenge after their defeat in the last World Cup but will injury and inexperience for some players cost the squad? We will see in this match if the Netherlands can finally taste sweet victory by overthrowing the kings of the world in their first match of the tournament.
Expect lots of fire and fight on the pitch. This is one match you have to be awake for.
England vs Italy
15 Jun, 6am
While some experienced veterans are no longer in the England squad, there are some who feel the current England team is perhaps a more promising side than ones in recent years. As in most tournaments, many English supporters have high hopes for the Lions this time round.
Will they still have to keep dreaming of World Cup glory and will their years of disappointment and hurt be prolonged? Will rivals Italy spoil the party?
Italy, England’s opponents in the opening week, once were glorified world champions. Nevertheless, more recently, the Azzurri crashed out of the 2010 World Cup in shame.
Both sides are equally passionate, filled with talent and with everything to prove. Whether blue or white will be the victor, England vs Italy is not to be missed. Look out for a new generation of football stars.
Germany vs Portugal
17 Jun, 12am
This year’s German squad looks stronger than ever. Recently, Germany has been the world’s most consistent side. The success of top German club Bayern Munich is also a good omen.
Germany seems to have made a strange decision to put just one out-and-out striker in the entire squad. We will see if this strategy will backfire.
Miroslav Klose will look to provide the firepower for the German giants while Real Madrid’s galactico Cristiano Ronaldo looks to pull Portugal further than the round of 16. Stay tuned and see who will come out tops in this clash of styles and cultures.
Many other games will be played in opening week. Be sure to watch your favourite teams, starting from Jun 13. The magic
has begun!
Visit www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches for further match details.
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