2014 World Cup: The Netherlands Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

The Netherlands are a side with plenty of potential and an attacking style that suits the group of players they have. Ability is one thing however, consistency is another. At the 2010 World Cup, they finished runners-up to Spain. Two years later, at the 2012 European Championships, they had a disastrous campaign which saw them finish without a single point on the board. The question is, which Netherlands side will turn up? The hapless, misfiring group of disjointed individuals or the explosive, cohesive and well-oiled team of superstars which can destroy any team in the world? 

From what we saw in their opening match against the defending champions Spain, the latter seems to have turned up in Brazil. Almost everything the Dutch attempted paid off, and some people would even say that the four-goal margin of victory could, and should have been greater. That just goes to show how dominant Louis van Gaal’s men were, leaving a huge dent in Spain’s hopes of defending the title. 

Arjen Robben, in particular, was at his fiery best as he made some of the world’s best players look like clueless children. Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique in particular, were left embarrassed, deflated and defeated, as the Netherlands ran riot. Robin van Persie also helped himself to a couple of goals, including a sumptuous header which gave Iker Casillas no chance to get near it, let alone save it. 

After such a brilliant start, the Dutch have to guard against complacency. They will definitely be looking to top their group, so that they can avoid a meeting with hosts and pre-tournament favourites Brazil (who are widely expected to win their group) in the round-of-sixteen. Van Gaal is far too experienced to let his players relax, and this will work in their favour. They can lose and still win the group, but a loss may kill their momentum and expose their weaknesses to other teams in the competition. 

Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will be especially important to the Dutch, especially during the knockout rounds, assuming they get there. They are senior members of the team who are amongst the finest players on display at the tournament. Their experience will be invaluable in a squad that contains many inexperienced members who are playing in their first World Cup. Besides that, they also have the ability to lift the whole team with moments of brilliance, as shown in their match against Spain. The Spanish took the lead and seemed to be in control but Van Persie levelled the scores with a bullet of a header and from that point onwards, they Netherlands had full control of the game. 

From what I’ve seen so far, it would be easy for me to say that I think The Netherlands are now the favourites to win the World Cup. I am not going to do so just yet, for they have only played one match and the tournament is far from over. Van Gaal also needs to make sure that the players peak at the right time. There is no point in the Dutch winning all of their group-stage games by four or five goals if they end up losing in the knockout rounds. Have The Netherlands peaked too early or was the match against Spain just the start of something special? Only time will tell, and whatever the answer, it is sure to be a memorable one.

Key Players: Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben 

Previews of the teams from Brazil, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be published on the Lumen Studet. Next: Belgium.

2014 World Cup: France Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

The 2010 World Cup saw Raymond Domenech’s men eliminated without a single win in simply chaotic circumstances. During the half-time break in France’s defeat to Mexico, striker Nicolas Anelka was embroiled in a heated confrontation with Domenech, which resulted in the former being sent home and effectively banned for life (18 matches, to be exact). This decision was not accepted well by the rest of the squad, who then refused to train as a show of support for their colleague. France eventually finished at the bottom of their group, with just a single point accumulated from their three matches. In the aftermath of this debacle, the president of the French Football Federation resigned, Domenech’s contract was not renewed, and five players were disciplined for their roles in the disintegration of the team at the tournament. 

Four years down the line, the French have seemingly moved on from the horror that was the 2010 tournament, but manager Didier Deschamps still remains wary of how a disunited squad can ruin the hopes of the nation. As a result of this, he did not select the talented Samir Nasri, for reasons that many suspect are related to his personality, as opposed to his ability. Deschamps himself has stated that the squad was not picked solely based on the footballing ability of the players, but rather a variety of factors, including the effects of individuals on the mindset of the squad as a whole. 

I for one, agree with the manager on this. A talented player has the ability to contribute to a World Cup success. However, that is only if that player can fit into the team environment. If he cannot do so, the performance and morale of the whole team may go down and therefore, the player should not be picked. This was probably the main reason why Nasri was not considered for selection. Despite his absence, the French roster still has enough skill and variety to progress to at least the quarter finals. Their talented but inexperienced centreback pairing of Mamadou Sakho and Raphael Varane have been tipped to shine at this tournament, and they are ably supported by the firepower of Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema. They also can call upon Loic Remy for an injection of pace on the right flank. Remy is on the verge of a move to a top club, and he will definitely be out to prove that he can compete with the best players in the world. 

Another player to watch out for is the talismanic youngster Paul Pogba, who is considered by many to be one of the best young footballers in the world. One notable absence from the squad though, is fiery winger Franck Ribery. Ribery is definitely a world-class player and on his day, can tear defenses to shreds. Thankfully for the defensive units of the teams in the tournament, Ribery has been plagued by a back injury for a few weeks and was consequently deemed unfit to make the trip to Brazil. 

I do not think the French have the ability to go all the way and win the World Cup, but they certainly have a point to prove following their flop at the 2010 World Cup. For me, a lot depends on the collective performance of the team. Individual brilliance will help, but at the end of the day, the whole team has to show up if France are to do well.

Key Players: None in particular, team unity is the most important thing for Deschamps’ men.

Previews of the teams from Brazil, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be published on the Lumen Studet. Next: The Netherlands.

2014 World Cup: England Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

I have never rated the English team very highly at all. I think they are vastly overrated and overhyped by the media, who somehow always believe that they are good enough to record their second tournament victory at the World Cup. Despite the faith however time and time again, they have failed to do so. What makes it worse is the fact that they usually fall not at the final hurdle, but rather very early on in the competition. 

This has never surprised me. English teams of the past have been to a large extent, devoid of talent. They do not have the genuine world-class players which other teams can boast of. Take Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, for example. Both men have been extremely successful at club level for a very long period of time. On the international stage, though, they have not had the talismanic impact which their team so desperately needs from them. The same can be said for many other successful club level Englishmen whom for some reason or another cannot pull it together when representing their country.

England's best player at this year’s World Cup in my opinion, is Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that he is a great player who is capable of brilliance on his day. His goalscoring record for The Three Lions is matched only by a select group of the country’s finest strikers. His work rate on the pitch is so immense that one minute he can be found beside his own goalkeeper protecting the near post, and the next minute scoring a goal at the opposite end of the pitch. Yes there is no one quite like Wayne Rooney in the England squad and perhaps even in the entire footballing world. The other three forwards in the squad are vastly short of experience at this level, having only featured in about 40 games between them. 

England's daunting group.

The latest generation of English players has been touted as one of the finest and most technically-efficient generations of players to have come out of the country. This is a statement I cannot argue with, considering the emergence of talented youngsters like Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Jon Flanagan, Jack Wilshere, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley. However, I think that this World Cup has come too soon for them, keeping in mind their lack of exposure at international level. If they continue developing as quickly as they are now, I wouldn’t be surprised if they manage to lead their nation deep into the latter stages of the 2018 World Cup. 

While that may be a possibility, I cannot see England achieving a great amount of success at this year’s tournament, barring some individual heroics. Their squad is unspectacular and I still feel that the members of the squad have yet to gel as a team. Roy Hodgson does not seem to know his best eleven despite the tournament being just a week away. This does not bode well for England’s already slim chances of success. Considering the strength of the teams in their group, I would be surprised if The Three Lions get past the group stage. Go on, England. Prove me wrong.

Key Players: Wayne Rooney

2014 World Cup: Germany Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

I can draw parallels between Germany under Joachim Loew and pre-2008 Spain. A squad with a lot of depth? Check. A squad with game-changers in each and every position? Check. An ardent fan following all over the world? Check. Major titles? Zero. 

This is very hard to understand. Their team-sheet has always been filled with a mixture of some of the finest young players on the globe, as well as established veterans who have shown the ability to perform at the very highest levels of competition. They quite clearly have the ability to win the World Cup, but they haven’t done it since 1990. To their credit, they have been consistently amongst the top teams in the competition throughout the years. They finished second in 2002, and third in 2006 and 2010. For most teams, performances like these are simply out of reach. For a football powerhouse like Germany, though, only wins count. 

This year, the German outfit is in my opinion, the strongest squad Loew has ever had. You could put the names of all 23 members of the squad in a hat and take them out one by one. Chances are, you’ll draw the name of a great player almost every time. The problem for Germany is, this might be the last opportunity for their Golden Generation to win a World Cup. Of course, there will be new players who will develop and take the places of their elder statesmen, but we do not know how the team will fare with the nucleus of the team gone. It will be a great shame if the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose end their international careers without any major world titles to their name. With there being a realistic possibility that this might be the last World Cup for all three of them, the time to win one is now. 

As I said earlier, this squad is very strong in all departments. Nonetheless, there are still a few players who stand out for their sheer brilliance. One of them is Marco Reus. At 25 years of age, Reus is arguably entering what should be the best phase of his career. He is blessed with a remarkable turn of pace, as well as a box of tricks that would not be out of place in the locker of a magician. He also has the ability to clinically put away his chances, which is something that he has done time and time again for Borussia Dortmund. With so many world-class central players in the German squad, Reus’ pace will add another dimension to their game. He can stretch opponents’ defences, ensuring that opposition fullbacks will have to stay further back and remain unable to support their attacking colleagues in the final third of the pitch. His explosive pyrotechnics will also be deadly on the counterattack, especially in partnership with the great passers in the team, such as Mesut Ozil and Andre Schurrle, who themselves are capable of brilliance. 

Another key asset to this German masterclass is acclaimed Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer, widely known as the best goalkeeper in world football. Neuers showcase of trophies since his breakthrough in the Munich club is breathtaking, and the tall German international proves his class each and every time he steps in between the posts, proving to be the key difference maker between a win and a loss. Look out for Neuer to pull out some of his incredible saves and astounding distributions to pillar the brick wall that is the German back-line.

This year’s World Cup will represent Germany’s best chance of success at a major international tournament. They have the players to do it, they have a tactically astute manager and they have a united squad not separated by individualism. With everything in place, all that is left for them to do is go out there and bring home the ultimate prize in football. 

Key Players: Marco Reus, Manuel Neuer

Previews of the teams from Brazil, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be published on the Lumen Studet. Next: England.

2014 World Cup: Spain Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

The Spanish have always been a very watchable team. Yet for many years, this beautiful, eye-catching football did not translate into results. 

When Vicente Del Bosque took charge of the team in 2008, something clicked. Their football was still as aesthetically pleasing as it had always been, but there was a difference. At the 2008 European Championships, the Spanish national team won their first European Championship title in 44 years. They added the World Cup to their collection two years later, and added another European Championship crown to their collection for good measure in 2012. Del Bosque had succeeded in turning a group of talented players into an all-conquering, world-class unit. 

Fast forward two years, and cracks have begun to develop. Teams have learnt how to play against the exponents of tiki-taka, by defending deep and hitting them with vicious counterattacks. Spain aren’t particularly big in stature, making them vulnerable to set pieces and crosses. They also often lack the cutting edge which many of their opponents possess, often resulting in critics calling them one-dimensional. 

Despite this, there is no doubting the fact that Spain are still a force to be reckoned with and there is no better way for them to silence their detractors than by winning their second consecutive World Title. Del Bosque has a plethora of the finest players at his disposal. In midfield, he has the luxury of choosing from a group of elite players, such as the Barcelona foursome of Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Fabregas, as well as the likes of Xabi Alonso, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla and David Silva, among others. Many of these players would be amongst the first names on the team-sheet if they represented any other country but when playing for Spain, they often struggle to break into the first eleven. 

While their squad is laced with international stars from top to bottom, one name in particular excites me. Spain have often played without a recognised striker. Instead of conventional formations which employ a frontman or two, Del Bosque has often played with six midfielders and no striker. This is because his squad contains so many great midfielders. By playing as many of them as possible, he is playing to his team’s strengths. However, this formation often lacks incisiveness and penetration, and therefore Spain may struggle to break down defensively compact teams. 

I cannot fault Del Bosque, though. He has not had a truly world class striker since David Villa exited his prime. Fernando Torres flatters to deceive by scoring the odd inconsequential goal, whereas other recent call-ups like Fernando Llorente, Roberto Soldado and Alvaro Negredo have been inconsistent and struggled for form or fitness. This leaves him with no choice but to play without a striker and when it doesn’t pay off, he is often left bereft of ideas. 

This is where Diego Costa comes into the picture. The funny thing is, Costa is not even Spanish. He was born in Brazil to Brazilian parents and has even represented Brazil twice. In September 2013, he received citizenship from the Spanish government and shortly after, turned his back on his country of origin to represent his newly adopted nation. This decision was met with great outrage from the Brazilian public and even the coach of Brazil, Scolari, who stopped just short of calling Costa a traitor. They have probably grown even more bitter towards Costa, having just seen him finish the best season of his career by far, in which he netted 36 times in all competitions for Atletico Madrid. 

For Spain and Del Bosque however, he could be the answer to their shortage of quality strikers. If he fires, Spain will have the option of playing with a man up front, as well as the alternative of sticking to their “False-9”, striker-less formation. He also possesses great strength and aerial ability, which is something the Spanish attack desperately requires, especially against the more physical teams in the competition. At the end of the day, there is a fine line between victory and defeat, and Diego Costa might well be the man who makes the crucial difference. Who knows, that might mean scoring the decisive goal which knocks his country of birth out of the World Cup...

Key Players: Diego Costa

Previews of the teams from Brazil, Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be published on the Lumen Studet. Next: Germany.

2014 World Cup: Brazil Team Preview

Written by Timothy Hock-An Balaguru, Class of 2014, Junior 2 Cempaka

Every four summers, sports fans around the world are treated to a spectacle unlike any other. As exciting and dramatic as the domestic leagues and the Champions League are, the pinnacle of professional football will always be the World Cup. The best players in the world, representing their countries in a bid to secure the biggest prize in all of sports, on the grandest stage of all. What more could you wish for?

This year, the World Cup will be hosted by a country where football is larger than life for many of its citizens. Five-time champions Brazil will open proceedings at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, which will be their first World Cup match on home soil in 64 years. The weight of expectation on their shoulders has never been greater, especially when you consider 12 long years have passed since Brazil were last crowned champions of the world. Finishing anywhere but first will be considered a failure. Maybe this pressure can motivate Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad of 23 into achieving their sixth World Cup victory. 

One thing is for certain — no one is going to hand them the title. As usual, there is a strong European contingent at the World Cup, with reigning champions Spain eager to become the first team in over 50 years to defend the prestigious title. Former champions Argentina and France will again look to give the favourites a run for their money, and it is impossible to rule out three-time champions Germany who have a squad on par with any team on this planet. Of course, these are just a few of the many teams which have realistic chances of winning the title. I will not go over all of them, only the eight teams who I feel have the greatest chance of lifting the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy at the Estádio do Maracanã this 13 July.

When I look at the Brazil squad, I see a team which is well-rounded and immensely talented. There are no gaping inconsistencies and the team is littered with some of the game’s most naturally gifted individuals. They emerged victorious in last year’s Confederations Cup, winning each of their five matches. They capped off an outstanding tournament with a stunning 3-0 victory over Spain in the final, which to many, signalled the end of an era of Spanish dominance.

At the centre of defence lies the ever-present defensive rock, Thiago Silva. Having recently been named in FIFA’s World XI, the Brazil captain is arguably the best defender in the world, bar none. He lines up next to his new Paris Saint-Germain teammate David Luiz, who himself is no slouch, having just been made the world’s most expensive defender following PSG’s acquisition of him for a whopping £50 million. Luiz may be guilty of the occasional mistake, but these blips are becoming fewer and further between. He possesses a range of passing that wouldn’t be out of place in the centre of midfield, a position which he often played for his former club, Chelsea. This skill will allow Brazil to play out from the back, which may be useful in starting attacks. Together, the pair can hold their own against any attack in the world and may be the key to a successful campaign for Brazil.

When you think of Brazil, you tend to focus on players like Neymar, Hulk, Oscar, and many of the other attacking stars that the are at Scolari’s disposal. However, for them to thrive, they need to have the assurance that they have a stout and impenetrable defensive unit behind them to ensure that the team will not be left exposed to strong counterattacking sides. The onus is therefore on the two Brazilian centre backs to keep a good shape and remain solid under pressure, thus allowing their attacking colleagues to play the fast, free-flowing football which Brazil is recognized for. 

If there are any weaknesses in this team, it would have to be in the two defensive midfield slots which are a part of Scolari’s 4-2-3-1 formation. With players like Paulinho, Ramires, Hernanes and Fernandinho filling these positions, it is fair to say that Brazil may be a touch vulnerable in the engine room. While all these players can put in solid shifts, they do not possess the brilliance of other defensive, or deep-lying midfielders such as Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal, to name a few. 

With this potential weakness in the Brazilian midfield, it becomes even more important for the defense to remain watertight, because the it will definitely be put under pressure if the deep-lying midfielders struggle. This is what David Luiz and Thiago Silva, and to a lesser extent, the fullbacks Marcelo and Dani Alves, have to be wary of. If the team plays anywhere close to how they did in the Confederations Cup, spurred on by the legion of patriotic Brazilians who are sure to fill each stadium to its full capacity when the Brazilian team is in action, I see every reason to concur with the general consensus that Brazil are the pre-tournament favourites, provided they can cope with the pressure. 

Key Players: Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Neymar.

Previews of the teams from Spain, Germany, England, Argentina, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be published on the Lumen Studet. Next: Spain.