World Cup 2014 Group B
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GROUP B
Spain Netherlands Chile Australia
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Spain
The only way for Spain maybe down in the opinion of many but the World Cup holders and top-ranked team will not give up their title without a fight. Spain have a very, solid defence and conceded only two goals in topping Group I in qualification ahead of France. While Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Xabi Alonso can control the midfield, Pique, Ramos and Juanfran keep everything tight at the back. If Diego Costa can overcome his injury problems, Spain will surely go far. And we haven't even mentioned David Silva, Juan Mata, Sergio Busquets, Jesus Navas, Koke et al or three very good goalkeepers in Casillas, de Gea and Reina.
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Spain Kit 1 | Spain Kit 2 |
Spain v Netherlands 13 June; Salvador
Spain v Chile 18 June; Rio de Janeiro
Spain v Australia 23 June; Curitiba
Coach
Vincente del Bosque
Record
1962, 1966, 1978, 1998 First Round; 1982, 1990, 2006 Second Round; 1934, 1986, 1994, 2002 Quarter Finals; 1950 Fourth Place; 2010 Winners
Men to watch
If Iniesta has a good tournament so will La Roja. Much will also depend on how Diego Costa gels with his new teammates.
We are backing Spain to make the final.
World Cup 2014 Betting
How they qualified
Spain qualified as winners of Group I.
On the sidelines
Cesar Azpilicueta is known as "Dave" by his Chelsea teammates.
Analysis
Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)
Strikers: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid)
Netherlands
The Netherlands are rebuilding under Louis van Gaal but sill rely on golden oldies Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong and Rafael van der Vaart. Roma's Kevin Strootman will be a big miss in the midfield and the goal keeping situation is far from clear with no truly outstanding or experienced candidate to choose from. The defence also looks quite inexperienced with no real leader at the back in the Jaap Stam or Ronald Koeman role. We think it's a toss up between the Oranje and Chile who joins Spain in the second round.
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Netherlands Kit 1 |
Netherlands Kit 2 |
Netherlands v Spain 13 June; Salvador
Netherlands v Australia 18 June; Porte Alegre
Netherlands v Chile 23 June; Sao Paulo
Coach
Louis van Gaal
Record
1934, 1938 First Round; 1990, 2006 Second Round, 1994 Quarter-finals; 1998 Semi-finals; 1974, 1978, 2010 Runners-up
Men to watch
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been in good form for Schalke when he has been injury free.
We predict Netherlands will come second in Group A but their match with Chile seems key. Then they would have another match up with Brazil, who they beat in the quarterfinals in South Africa 2010.
How they qualified
The Netherlands won Qualifying Group D undefeated ahead of Romania, Hungary and Turkey, scoring 34 goals in the process.
On the sidelines
Manchester United's Robin van Persie's son, Shaqueel, trains with Manchester City.
Analysis
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea)
Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, (all Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)
Strikers: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
Chile
Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli has forged a high-tempo, attacking side which keeps good possession, though the team lack an out-and-out striker. Players such as Arturo Vidal at Juve and Alexis Sanchez at Barcelona can be considered truly world class. Chile host the 2015 Copa America and are hoping to make progress in Brazil for a crack at becoming the best team in South America on their own turf.
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Chile Kit 1
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Chile Kit 2
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Chile v Australia 13 June; Cuaiba
Chile v Spain 18 June; Rio de Janeiro
Chile v Netherlands; 23 June; Sao Paulo
Coach
Jorge Sampaoli
Record
1930, 1950, 1966, 1974, 1982 First Round; 1998, 2010 Second Round; 1962 Semi-Final
Men to watch
Juventus duo of Arturo Vidal and attacking right back Mauricio Isla.
How they qualified
Chile placed 3rd in South American qualifying.
On the sidelines
Chile faced Spain in Group H in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, losing 2-1 in Pretoria.
Analysis
Squad
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)
Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus)
Midfielders: Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo)
Strikers: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo) Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta)
Australia
Australia face an uphill struggle in Group B against three high quality teams and are building for the future and the Asian Cup on home soil in 2015. Expectations are low but Australia have nothing to lose and may just shock one of their opponents. Fans are looking for good performances from the team rather than expectations they will come through the group as that would be a miracle.
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Australia Kit 1
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Australia Kit 2
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Australia v Chile v 13 June; Cuaiba
Australia v Netherlands 18 June; Porte Alegre
Australia v Brazil 23 June; Brasilia
Coach
Ange Postecoglou
Record
1974, 2010 First Round. 2006 Round of 16
Men to watch
Tommy Oar, who plays his club football in Holland with Utrecht.
How they qualified
Came through Asian qualifying, though after a few bumps along the road.
On the sidelines
Ange Postecoglou has won two A-League titles with Brisbane Roar
Analysis
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Club Brugge), Mitch Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
Defenders: IIvan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Jason Davidson (Heracles), Bailey Wright (Preston North End)
Midfielders: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), James Troisi (Atalanta), James Holland (Austria Wien), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Dario Vidosic (FC Sion), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar)
Strikers: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets)