The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup begins on Saturday at the newly resurrected Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia, which will host the tournament opener between Brazil and Japan. Here’s a preview of the participating nations.
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Brazil
FIFA ranking: #22
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Best Result: Champions (1997, 2005, 2009)
Synopsis: The days of joga bonito are a distant memory. Hosting the World Cup might have boosted Brazil’s economy and provided glitzy modern stadiums across the country that was long overdue. However, the Seleção have suffered for it on the field, dropping to 22nd in the current FIFA rankings due to only being able to compete in meaningless friendlies for the last two years. What makes the situation even worse for Brazil is it’s in the midst of a generation overhaul. The likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho have made way for the new breed, most notably Neymar and Oscar. But this collection of youngsters has yet to be tested in a competitive match where results matter. Realistically, the tournament is just a tune-up for the country before the real party begins next year, but it will also provides Brazil with an important test and an idea of where it stands.
It’s no secret that Brazil has a plethora of individual talent, though they’ve struggled to translate that quality into a complete team effort. Scolari has found it difficult to figure out a way to harness his players’ individualistic nature. Since returning to the national team, the former World Cup winning manager has only recorded two wins in seven matches. It’s worth mentioning that Brazil has only tasted defeat once since his return in a 2-1 debut loss to England at Wembley Stadium. The transition seems to be moving slower than first anticipated. The potential to be world-beaters is there, but results have showed there is still a significant amount of maturity that needs to take place before Brazil can equal past achievements. Next summer might be a bit premature, unless Neymar succeeds in carrying the weight of a nation on his slender shoulders.
Player to watch: Neymar (FC Barcelona)
Schedule: Japan (June 15), Mexico (June 19), Italy (June 22)
Prediction: 2nd in Group A
Japan
FIFA ranking: #32
Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni
Best result: Runner-up (2001)
Synopsis: The Japanese became the first country to qualify for the World Cup last week, having collected the point it needed against Australia. From his first match in charge — a 1-0 win over Argentina in 2010 — Zaccheroni made a massive statement of intent. The monumental feat was followed by Japan being crowned Asian Cup champions in 2011, in Zaccheroni’s first major tournament at the helm of the Blue Samurai. For years, people have been boasting about the talent and potential emanating from Japan, and for good reason. The J-League is stronger than ever, and producing a growing list of high quality players that have made the national team a serious threat. Half of the squad heading to Brazil play their soccer in Europe, scattered across the Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A. It is the most significant factor in the evolution of the Japanese game.
For all their strength going forward, most notably through Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, the Japanese still need develop a more all-round game, and are suspect on the defensive end. This is where things might go astray, especially against stronger opposition that deploy a more tactical approach than what Japan is used to in Asia. Zaccheroni is on the cusp of turning Japan into a real force.
Player to watch: Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)
Schedule: Brazil (June 15), Italy (June 19), Mexico (June 22)
Prediction: 4th in Group A
Mexico
FIFA ranking: #17
Manager: Jose Manuel de la Torre
Best result: Champions (1999)
Synopsis: Always underrated, the Mexicans have proven time and again what happens when taken lightly. It’s arguably their greatest weapon: flying under the radar. Most of their players ply their trade in the domestic league, and usually under-perform when moving abroad. Mexico has typically done well at international tournaments, including winning this competition 14 years ago, and more recently topping their group in 2005, which included Brazil, before crashing out on penalties to Argentina in the semifinals, and losing to Germany in extra-time for third place.
Currently, Mexico is stuck in a rut of inconsistency and struggling to qualify out of the Hex (CONCACAF World Cup qualifying), sitting just one point ahead of Honduras for the final automatic place. El Tri has found it difficult to produce goals, playing out to three scoreless draws at the half-way point of the qualifiers, with two coming at home. Although, they’ve only conceded twice, their inconsistency in front of goal is a concern. Luckily, having an impact player in Chicharito gives the team solace through his ability to score from just about any angle. Despite his small stature, he is menacing in the air, with the vision to find space and expose his markers.
Player to watch: Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (Manchester United)
Schedule: Italy (June 16), Brazil (June 19), Japan (June 22)
Prediction: 1st in Group A
Italy
FIFA ranking: #8
Manager: Cesare Prandelli
Best result: Group Stage (2009)
Synopsis: Cesare Prandelli has arguably the most balanced squad in Group A, a perfect collection of youth and experience, starting with the Juventus quartet of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli at the back. The bianconeri defensive line has been almost impenetrable in Serie A, ushering in back-to-back Scudetti (domestic titles), and having conceded only 44 goals over two seasons (in 76 games). Down the middle, the ageless wonder that is Andrea Pirlo and his understudy Claudio Marchisio provide a steady stream of distribution and cover. Are you seeing a trend? National teams have only a short window to develop cohesion in training, but the Italians deploy a Juve core that provides a solid backbone
Where it gets tricky is up front, and not for a lack of goals, but the temperament of one player: Mario Balotelli. The eccentric Milan striker scored a brace for Italy in a 2-0 qualifying victory over Malta back in March, but just last week allowed his frustrations to get the better of him by collecting two yellow cards in three minutes. It proved costly for the Azzurri, with the match ending scoreless in Prague. Prandelli has the option of giving Stephan El Shaarway the responsibility in attack, as the young Italian has proven his capabilities with AC Milan, scoring 16 goals in the league this season.
Player to watch: Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan)
Schedule: Mexico (June 16), Japan (June 19), Brazil (June 22)
Prediction: 3rd in Group A
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Spain
FIFA ranking: #1
Manager: Vicente Del Bosque
Best result: Third Place (2009)
Synopsis: Spain continues to prove all the haters and nay-sayers wrong by continuing its dominance of world football. Eventually, the carpet will be pulled from under them as no team can sustain this type of longevity in the modern game. Signs are becoming more evident that Spain has reached its apex, with opponents slowly figuring out how to counteract their possession game. However, the losses aren’t multiplying, and despite all the negativity surrounding the Spanish monopoly and style of play, you can’t argue against success. Until they are dethroned, Spain will always be considered the favourites.
The majority of the focus ahead of the opener centres on Del Bosque’s decision to allow goalkeeper Iker Casillas to retain the number one shirt, despite being reduced to back-up status at Real Madrid. Casillas hasn’t played a competitive game since January after picking up an injury which kept him on the sidelines for almost three months before his demotion. Considering the depth in goal (Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes), should there be a slip up, fingers will be pointed in this direction. But if any goalkeeper can jump right back into the fire without losing a step, it’s Casillas. On the opposite end, having scored 11 goals in nine appearances for Spain since the Euros last summer, Pedro could steal the spotlight and emerge from the shadows.
Player to watch: Pedro (FC Barcelona)
Schedule: Uruguay (June 16), Tahiti (June 20), Nigeria (June 23)
Prediction: 2nd in Group B
Uruguay
FIFA ranking: #19
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Best result: Fourth Place (1997)
Synopsis: Despite being 15-time Copa America champions (most recently in 2011), results on the world stage have been largely underwhelming for Uruguay. Not since the first half of the previous century has the country been considered a real threat on the international scene, having won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and duplicating the feat 20 years later at the Maracana in Brazil. After 64 years, Uruguay has the opportunity to produce another miracle next summer on the same ground which hosted their last triumph. Since that memorable night back in 1950, the closest La Celeste have come to lifting the coveted golden trophy was three fourth-place finishes (1954, 1970, 2010).
This seems to be the dawn of a new era for Uruguayan soccer. Only three players currently compete in the country’s Primera Division. The turnover has drastically intensified within the last three years, helping to elevate standards and competition. Uruguay arguably has two of the best strikers in the business in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, combining to score 68 goals for Napoli and Liverpool respectively this season. Let’s not forget the experienced Diego Forlan is also an option. Going forward isn’t a problem. Defensively is where things start to go south. Uruguay has conceded 21 goals in World Cup qualifying, tied for second-worst in South America, and sit five points adrift of automatic qualification. Tabarez has yet to find the proper balance, and this has proven to be their undoing. However, they are fully capable of out-scoring both Tahiti and Nigeria, and quite possibly Spain.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Schedule: Spain (June 16), Nigeria (June 20), Tahiti (June 23)
Prediction: 1st in Group B
Tahiti
FIFA ranking: #138
Manager: Eddy Etaeta
Best result: First Appearance
Synopsis: The Oceania champions are typically one of the strongest teams from the Pacific Islands, but they might as well be from another planet in relation to world football. Tahiti has benefitted tremendously from Australia switching to the Asian confederation back in 2006, having finally bested New Zealand to represent the region. Etaeta was a former player that represented Team Fenua in their inaugural World Cup qualification phase for USA ’94, and now has the honour of guiding his country through their greatest achievement in the sport after having lifted the OFC Nations Cup last year. Unfortunately for the Tahitians, they’ve already been eliminated from World Cup contention following a disastrous qualifying campaign. They better make the most of this experience, because it might be quite some time before they reappear on the world stage.
The team only one has one active professional on the roster, striker Marama Vahirura, who is on the books of French side Nancy. The rest of the team is based out of Tahiti’s semi-pro domestic league. Overmatched in every capacity, keeping the score-line respectable will be a huge challenge.
Player to watch: Steevy Chong Hue (AS Dragon)
Schedule: Nigeria (June 17), Spain (June 20), Uruguay (June 23)
Prediction: 4th in Group B
Nigeria
FIFA ranking: #31
Manager: Stephen Keshi
Best result: Fourth Place (1995 King Fahd Cup – before FIFA takeover and re-brand)
Synopsis: The Super Eagles were crowned African champions in February after beating Burkina Faso 1-0 to claim their third title. The one similarity of Nigeria’s last two African Cup of Nations triumphs is Stephen Keshi, who became only the second person to win the tournament as a player and manager. Despite this recent success, Keshi made nine changes to the team which lifted the cup four months ago, with some of his players being uncapped at the senior international level. Experience is a major concern, as Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie are all set to miss out. AFCON golden boot winner Emmanuel Emenike and Chelsea starlet Victor Moses are also absent, with half of the roster having less than 20 caps for the senior side.
Nigeria is currently at the top of its World Cup qualifying group, two points clear of chasers Malawi for a spot in the final round. The Super Eagles are lucky to open the tournament against minnows Tahiti, giving Keshi a great opportunity to hit the ground running and gain some much needed confidence before playing against the group favourites. Nigeria’s ambitions hinge on the performance of Ahmed Musa, who can be deployed down the wing or as a second striker. His attacking prowess is a critical element going forward, as Nigeria is abysmal defensively.
Player to watch: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow)
Schedule: Tahiti (June 17), Uruguay (June 20), Spain (June 23)
Prediction: 3rd in Group B
KNOCKOUT ROUND
Semifinals: Spain defeats Brazil; Uruguay defeats Mexico
3rd Place: Brazil defeats Mexico
Final: Uruguay defeats Spain
Golden Boot: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)