The 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament is just about 32-days to kick-off. Teams are preparing as most leagues around the world is fast coming to a close. In the light of the preparation, some teams like Brazil, Mexico and South Korea have already named their 23-man squad, a team like Holland only last week named a 20-man squad of young players with the provisional list set to be released anytime soon.
In this preview, we want to look at the provisional list released by Nigeria, Germany and Iran. Nigeria and Iran coincidentally are in the same group F at the mundial. While Germany was pitched against the likes of Portugal, Ghana and USA.
The chances of the Nigerian team qualifying beyond the group stage is bright considering they will be vying for the qualification slot with the likes of Argentina and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The team is a blend of new players and experienced players. They will be looking in the direction of John Mikel Obi and Osaze Odemwingie to lead the team to glory at the tournament even though the final list is not out yet.
Comparing the Nigerian team with the Iranian team managed by the experienced coach Carlos Queiroz. They boast in their ranks players like Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah who played 21 league games for the Cottagers this season, scoring five goals in a difficult campaign as they were relegated. They also have Charlton Athletic midfielder Reza Ghoochannejhad in the squad among other decent players.
The ingenuity of the squad is expected to come from the coach who has at some time was the right man to Sir Alex Ferguson and also coached Real Madrid. They have also secured the service of former Arsenal player Edu to assist the coach. In as much as the team is still expected to be trimmed down to 23-mam squad, nothing is certain as some players might at the end of the day be deemed not good or injury can just be a setback for others. In the group F, I still give a nod to Nigeria and Argentina qualifying from the group irrespective of the eventual team list.
Another team that has released its provisional list is the German squad, a team which has always been favourite based on pedigree and quality of team players. This year is no exception, the team boast of different quality players. The likes of Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm all plying their trade in Bayern Munich and Miroslav Klose of Lazio.
Even with group G being one of the toughest in the tournament, the Germans have a good team to make it all the way to the later stage of the competition if not the final of the competition as pundits have predicted. Reviewing all the teams in this competition, with respect to team quality, it is only a handful of team that can match the quality the German machine as they are fondly called posses.
As the tournament draws near, the different teams will be perfecting their tactics that seems suited to their style and one that can guarantee success. In days to come, the review might not matter again as upsets will be experienced, the games will be played in 90 minutes and the spirit of sportsmanship will be enough to console the losing team.