{"id":5475,"date":"2014-06-24T08:31:57","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T12:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=5475"},"modified":"2014-06-24T08:30:50","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T12:30:50","slug":"2014-world-cup-group-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=5475","title":{"rendered":"2014 World Cup \u2013 Group A (FINAL)"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, four years (and two kids) ago, I was able to preview and review<\/a> every single match of the 2010 World Cup (and it was all done in a mere THIRTY THOUSAND WORDS as the early games were even cut off…what, who reads 30,000 words of anything let alone soccer commentary from a guy that thinks these are all “games” played by “teams” on “fields?”).\u00a0 It seems a much more daunting task this time around, but, hey why not give it a shot, right?\u00a0 Anyway, here we go.\u00a0 This post will be updated as Group A develops.<\/p>\n

Group A Preview (Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico)<\/strong>
\nSo, here we go with the 2014 World Cup – the greatest sporting event in the world (or, at least on par with the NCAA Tournament, which happens every year, so it is slightly less exciting to lead up to).\u00a0 Group A – as the alphabet suggests – is our kickoff group and has our host nation, Brazil.\u00a0 The #3 team in the world, playing at home, is the odds-on favorite to win the title, though I believe that Germany and Argentina might be better picks.\u00a0 Either way, the Brazilians have a group that, on their home soil, they should absolutely win.\u00a0 Croatia is probably the best bet (and my pick) as the other qualifier from this group, though Mexico, depite their qualification struggles, could challenge for that qualification spot.\u00a0 While I will be rooting hard for all African teams, especially Cameroon, I really don’t see them challenging for a qualification spot, though they might decide it because I think they could draw with Mexico, which would give Croatia a big edge.\u00a0 The way I see it playing out is Brazil going 3-0, Croatia beating Cameroon, while Mexico only draws with Cameroon.\u00a0 That means that, on the final day of the group, Croatia would only need a draw with Mexico to move on, while the Mexicans would have to beat the Croats, which I don’t see happening, so I’ll take Brazil and Croatia to move on out of Group A.<\/p>\n

The interesting thing to note here is that Group B has Spain, so if, for whatever reason, either Brazil or Spain somehow finish second in their respective groups, these two powerhouses will play in the Round of 16.\u00a0 So, winning this group is very important for Brazil if they want to avoid facing Spain immediately in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

6\/12, 4:00 – Brazil vs. Croatia<\/strong>
\nThe host country – as tradition holds – opens the tournament with the stage to themselves, as they open with Croatia.\u00a0 This first match for the home team is probably the one with the largest advantage.\u00a0 The home team not only gets a huge jolt from the craziness of the home fans watching their team for the first time in World Cup play, but it also is the first match the visiting team will play under these specific conditions.\u00a0 This is a great matchup for the home team to get with their largest advantage because this figures to be the toughest group test the Brazilians will face.\u00a0 Croatia is a very solid team that – under neutral conditions – might be a sleeper pick to win this group.\u00a0 They will be very <\/em>lucky to come away with even 1 point, though, under these conditions.\u00a0 Look for the Brazilians to make a statement early.<\/p>\n

Brazil 3 – Croatia 1<\/em>
\nWhile we are comparing this sporting event to the NCAA Tournament, we might as well use the ole phrase “survive and advance” because that is what our tournament hosts did in their opening match.\u00a0 They were significantly outplayed for the first 25 minutes and trailed 1-0.\u00a0 But, they picked up the equalizer from Neymar at 29 minutes, which seemed to calm their nerves and reminded them that it’s just another match – not a World Cup opener on their home soil.\u00a0 They pretty much dominated the rest of the game, which makes the events that led to this victory a little easier to swallow.\u00a0 They scored the game-winner (Neymar again) on\u00a0a penalty kick resulting from an incredibly awful foul call in the penalty area.\u00a0 Then, they played some atrocious defense in the final 5 minutes and got really lucky not to give up\u00a0a late equalizer before scoring a late goal from Oscar that was just a result of the entire Croatian team attacking.\u00a0 In the end, the better overall side and the better side on this day won the match, but it was not anything resembling the “beautiful game” that Team Brazil usually produces.\u00a0 A performance like today is likely to send them packing once we hit the knockout phase.\u00a0 Fortunately, they did just get a W in their most difficult group match.\u00a0 As for Croatia, they looked good and had chances, but did come away with an L.\u00a0 They will have to regroup and get ready for Cameroon on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

6\/13, noon – Cameroon vs. Mexico
\n<\/strong>This\u00a0could be a very important game\u00a0for Croatia, as well.\u00a0 I think that the Cameroonians\u00a0will probably not factor into the qualifying from this group, but they definitely could rise up and steal a draw from\u00a0either Mexico or Croatia, in which case\u00a0that would be a\u00a0huge advantage for the other side.\u00a0 It will be interesting to see just what kind of form Mexico is in after a really shaky qualifying campaign.\u00a0\u00a0Even a\u00a0loss here for the Mexicans is not completely out of the question and would be devastating.<\/p>\n

Mexico 1 – Cameroon 0
\n<\/em>Another match, another refereeing controversy (apparently, while watching soccer, and only while watching soccer, it’s pronounced con-TROV-ersy)…or two.\u00a0 But, fortunately for the refereeing community and those of us who prefer watching sports not talking heads spout off about sports, the questionable referee calls (which cost Mexico TWO goals in the first half) didn’t matter in the final result, just the final score, as the Mexicans proved a far superior side.\u00a0 Cameroon, while definitely the superior athletes on the pitch, were overmatched in class.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day One Recap<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe favorites of the group, Brazil, got a nice (potentially referee-aided) victory over maybe their toughest opponent, while Mexico avoided what would have been a tough draw to swallow.\u00a0 In the end, nothing has really changed here, as Brazil is still the clear favorite to win the group, while the Croatia-Mexico match should decide the second qualifier.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6\/17, 3:00 – Brazil vs. Mexico<\/strong>
\nThe two unimpressive winners on Day One of this group will face off in the first match of the second round of Cup play.\u00a0 Brazil had a controversial win over Croatia, while the Mexicans dominated an over-matched Cameroon, but only scored once.\u00a0 The winner of this match will clinch the group, while a draw here probably favors Brazil, who is only staring at a date with Cameroon in the final round.\u00a0 That being said, Mexico would probably be happy with a draw, which would mean that they only need a draw with Croatia to move on through.\u00a0 The Croats are clearly rooting for the home side here, as a Mexican win would be a big blow to Croatia’s chances of moving through.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Brazil 0 – Mexico 0<\/em>
\nTo all those Ugly Americans who think that soccer isn’t exciting because no one ever scores, I give you this one.\u00a0 The best match I have seen all tournament was a nil-nil draw.\u00a0 This was up-and-down with attacking and free-flowing play for 90 straight minutes.\u00a0 The Brazilians dominated for the first 30 minutes, but the Mexicans then looked like the better side for a solid 20-25 minutes.\u00a0 The end of the game was played more in Mexico’s end, but they held up.\u00a0 And, their goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, was INCREDIBLE.\u00a0 I have no idea if he is any good or not, but that was literally the best match I have ever seen a keeper play.\u00a0 He was EVERYWHERE.\u00a0 It was simply a fantastic match, and I gained a ton of newfound respect for the Mexicans and now cannot wait for their win-and-you’re-in match with Croatia.\u00a0 While Brazil probably should have won this match, I am sure they are content with their point in advance of a match with a hapless Cameroonian squad.\u00a0\u00a0 They should take care of business against the Africans and win this group.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6\/18, 6:00 – Cameroon vs. Croatia<\/strong>
\nThe Croats feel robbed in their opening match with Brazil, but they need to get it together because they still hold their fate in their hands, and they should have plenty to get past the Indomitable Lions, who were thoroughly dominated by Mexico in their first match.\u00a0 Anything but 3 points here for Croatia would be crushing.\u00a0 And, while a draw would probably mean that Cameroon played well, the Lions are staring at Brazil in the final round, so they really need 3 here or their tournament is pretty much over.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Croatia 4 – Cameroon 0<\/em>
\nIn easily the most embarrassing performance of this year’s Cup, the Cameroonians got absolutely hammered – mostly by their own doing, picking up an insanely idiotic red card near the end of the first half.\u00a0 They were already down 1-0, and they did not look like they were going to really threaten the Croats, but to flat-out punch a dude in the back is one of the dumbest things I have seen a professional athlete do.\u00a0 It was embarrassing to all of us who root for Cameroon.\u00a0 It is time to just bow out of this tournament now because the match with Brazil might get ugly.\u00a0 As I have been saying all week now, Croatia’s match with Mexico should\u00a0be the decider on who moves on to the knockout round.\u00a0 And, with the way these two sides have been playing, I am even more excited for this match.\u00a0 It might be the highlight of the final round of matches.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Day Two Recap<\/strong>
\nThe best match of the tournament so far gave us a 0-0 draw between Brazil and Mexico.\u00a0 It also set up a possibility for Brazil to be eliminated.\u00a0 Well, not really.\u00a0 Cameroon has been – BY FAR – the worst side in this tournament and Brazil still has them left, only needing a draw to get through.\u00a0 A win for Brazil over Cameroon will give them the Group A title and a date with the second-place side from Group B in the Round of 16.\u00a0 As for Croatia, they did win 4-0 and looked great, but that was more of a terrible performance by the Cameroonians.\u00a0 I still believe them to be the better side than Mexico, but they will have to beat the\u00a0Mexicans to qualify, since they lost to Brazil and Mexico got a draw.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6\/23, 4:00 – Brazil vs. Cameroon
\n6\/23, 4:00 – Croatia vs. Mexico<\/strong>
\nIn a (fantastic) change that is only in its third World Cup, the final matches of group play are played simultaneously, so as to try and keep all matches as relevant as possible.\u00a0 Both of Monday’s groups (Group A & B) would not really matter either way, as the sides playing for positioning all play each other.\u00a0 Brazil should easily get past Cameroon, which would clinch the group win for them.\u00a0 And, then the second spot will be decided on the pitch in the other match.\u00a0 Mexico, sitting on 4 points, only needs a draw against Croatia, who is sitting on 3.\u00a0 Both sides are coming off VERY impressive performances and should be ready to go.\u00a0 The Croatian attack looks fierce, while the Mexican goalkeeper put in probably the best performance I have ever seen.\u00a0 Though, as Doogan notes, he is not exactly in high regard internationally, so it may have just been the game of his life.\u00a0 This Croatia-Mexico match might be my most anticipate matches of the third round.\u00a0 I like the Croats to get the win, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mexico sneak through.\u00a0 The winner of the second spot is looking at a date with the Chile-Netherlands winner of Group B.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Brazil 4 – Cameroon 1
\nMexico 3 – Croatia 1<\/em>
\nWell, the Mexico-Croatia match lived up to the hype in intrigue and excitement, even if the play was a bit sloppy at times.\u00a0 The intensity was at a real peak level for the entirety of the match, and there was an up-and-down, wide open\u00a0style that led to some really exciting stuff.\u00a0 The Mexican defense continued to be inpenetrable, though, even by the potent Croatian attack.\u00a0 The Mexican offense, however, looked a bit stymied, having only scored one goal in the first 250+ minutes of WC play this year.\u00a0 But, finally Rafa Marquez (who was incredible all match) put in a ridiculous header to put the Mexicanos up 1-0 and the flood gates opened.\u00a0 Mexico scored twice more actually opening up the possibility of winning the group before allowing their first goal of the tournament late, sending them to a second-place finish.\u00a0 Brazil did what they needed to do in handling a bad Cameroonian side, 4-1, clinching the Group A title.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group A Final Recap<\/strong>
\n1. Brazil<\/strong> – The host nation took care of business in somewhat unimpressive fashion.\u00a0 But, no matter how they got here, they got here as A1.\u00a0 And, while they didn’t look that good, they did beat a solid Croatia side, 3-1, and pounded a not solid Cameroon side 4-1, with a well-played 0-0 draw with Mexico in between.\u00a0 The pre-tournament favorites are alive and well into the Round of 16 for a date with an inter-continental rival, Chile,\u00a0whom they have dominated for generations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Mexico<\/strong> – Gotta think that this has already been a success for a side that barely even qualified.\u00a0 Then again, their first two goals of this tournament against Cameroon were contraversially disallowed.\u00a0 If both of those had been properly allowed, Mexico may have won the group and gotten to avoid the side that has probably been the most impressive thus far, the Netherlands, in the Round of 16.\u00a0 That being said, I am not ruling out a Mexican upset there.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Croatia<\/strong> – Heartbreak for the Croats, who may end up being one of the more impressive sides not to qualify out of group play.\u00a0 They nearly got an impossible draw against the host nation in the tournament opener (and probably should have), then pounded Cameroon, before a hard-fought loss to Mexico.\u00a0 This can’t be a happy ending for fans of Team Croatia.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Cameroon<\/strong> – The single-worst team in the tournament, start to finish, will almost certainly end up by the Indomitable Lions, who didn’t just look domitable, but rather pathetic, at times.\u00a0 Giving up 4 goals each in their final two matches and just flat-out giving up is not a good sign for the future of one of the continent’s better programs, historically.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, four years (and two kids) ago, I was able to preview and review every single match of the 2010 World Cup (and it was all done in a mere THIRTY THOUSAND WORDS as the early games were even cut … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[1424],"class_list":["post-5475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-soccer","tag-2014-world-cup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5475"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5480,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5475\/revisions\/5480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}