World Cup 2014 - Brazil

I can't wait until the start of the 2014 World Cup of association football. I never can. Despite a cynical view of the grotesque and self-serving corruption at the top level of the sport, I always enjoy the World Cup. The multitude of matches that cascade through each day for a fortnight is my favourite part. The cagey, tactical and chess-like manouevres of the first round of matches, followed by a more ostentatious approach in match round two. Followed quickly by the shit or bust knock out of the final group matches. Defenders being outsmarted by forwards. Midfielders jostling for control of the field. Forwards waiting, predatorily, for their glimmer of a chance to strike. Goalkeepers hoping they're not going to be the star of the highlights shows that evening, for all the wrong reasons.


The second round is a chance to dream. Some major outfits will not make it. Some surprise qualifiers will sneak through unexpectedly - at least as far as most onlookers will see it. Turkey, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Belgium all will believe they can go a long way in Brazil, while the world will focus on the usual suspects the heavyweights - former winners.

England Goalkeeper - Hatch

Other teams will be daring to dream beyond doing their nation proud. The African nations, well overdue a march through to the later stages, no doubt at all the USA are not there to make the numbers up. Australia will want to establish themselves beyond their South East Asia dominance.
England, my team, carry a huge expectation on their shoulders and need an injection of inspired skill from someone - anyone! - to break the very best sides down.
The climate in the host nation is always an advantage to the native country and their neighours. Hot humid conditions are more suited to the latin style of play, and possibly the African nations this time around. The cooler northern climates tend to get used to playing their fast-paced game at a high tempo and they can often fail to adjust their squads and playing style to the sapping conditions in the tropics.
Substitutions will play a vital role in the heat, and I predict the tournament will be dominated by the latin countries of South and South America southern Europe, and African sides. My one fear for the African sides is that their style is very physical, which is often exploited by the simulation that pollutes the game, and FIFA's apparent tolerance for this foul aspect of the sport.
Referees will come under intense scrutiny too, as players perfect their simulation skills to cheat their path to glory, without the officials seeing them or, should the referee see it, without the right punishment being applied. A sighting panel would be the obvious addition, for me, forcing retrospective "yellow cards" in the hours after a match. This will, in turn, free referees from having to spot simulation, and also deter would be cheats from attempting such means.
All in all, these ingredients go into the fun of the tournament. They create drama, disgrace, turmoil and turbulence. Gladiators of the modern era, it is over to you.