gillsminnow Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Group E Switzerland and Honduras are reunited for the second straight FIFA World Cup™ in Group E at Brazil 2014. The Swiss will fancy their chances of making it through to the knockout phase alongside a star-studded France, world champions in 1998. South American outsiders Ecuador, who struggled to finish in a direct qualifying spot from their preliminary campaign, boast a speedy and muscular style of football as do CONCACAF hopefuls Honduras, who famously beat Mexico at their fabled Estadio Azteca en route to South America. The teams Switzerland stormed to the top of their European qualifying section with seven more points than closest chasers Iceland, and they find themselves in a negotiable group once again. France pushed world and European champions Spain all the way in their preliminary campaign before sweating it out in a play-off with Ukraine. Despite their troubles, Didier Deschamps’ France side contains some of the world’s top players, and Honduras and Ecuador, who barely edged Uruguay to fourth place in the South American marathon, will be wary of the threat they pose. Players to watch Granit Hxaka (SUI), Xherdan Shaquiri (SUI), Valon Behrami (SUI), Hugo Lloris (FRA), Patrice Evra (FRA), Franck Ribery (FRA), Karim Benzema (FRA), Walter Ayovi (ECU), Antonia Valencia (ECU), Wilson Palacios (HON), Roger Espinoza (HON). The crunch match Switzerland-France: While Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland finished top of their qualifying group, most pundits will point to France as the team to beat in the section. If the French can avoid the kind of internal squabbles that plagued their 2010 run, and if the Swiss can add consistent goalscoring to a solid defence that conceded just six time in qualifying, both will be hopeful of qualifying. A look back Switzerland 0-0 Honduras, 25 June 2010, Mangaung/Bloemfontein The only other time the Swiss and Honduras met in FIFA World Cup action came at South Africa 2010, and it was a game to forget. After starting the tournament on a high by beating Spain, Switzerland ran out of gas and goals and the scoreless draw against the already eliminated Catrachos was a study in frustration. Both sides now have another chance to wipe the slate clean and improve on their previous encounter. Did you know? Switzerland are the only team to have beaten Spain over the course of La Roja’s dominant run to two consecutive UEFA EURO titles and one World Cup. Finishing both EURO 2008 and 2012 as undefeated champions, Spain were taught a lesson in discipline and rigour by the Swiss at South Africa 2010 in Durban. With hardly any possession at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Swiss turned precious few counter-attacks and chances on goal into a 1-0 victory, thanks to a messy strike from Gelson Fernandes. "The biggest night in the history of Swiss football,” was what striker Blaise Nkufo called it. But in the end, Spain still hoisted the World Cup crown while the Swiss tumbled out at the group stage. The stat 1 – the number of teams in Group E with experience of reaching a World Cup Final or semi-final. France were crowned champions on home soil back in 1998, while none of the three other competing teams have made it past the quarter-finals. Switzerland went to the last eight as hosts in 1954 and twice more booked passage to the Round of 16 (1994 and 2006). Ecuador reached the Round of 16 once in 2006, while Honduras haven’t graduated past the group stage in their two previous visits to the World Cup finals (1982 and 2010). Fixtures 15 June 2014 Switzerland v Ecuador, Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, 17:00 (ITV) 15 June 2014 France v Honduras, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, 20:00 (BBC) 20 June 2014 Switzerland v France, Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, 20:00 (ITV) 20 June 2014 Honduras v Ecuador, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, 23:00 (ITV) 25 June 2014 Honduras v Switzerland, Arena Amazonia, Manaus, 21:00 (BBC) 25 June 2014 Ecuador v France, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, 21:00 (BBC) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Ecuador Location: South America Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Quito Main Cities: Guayaquil, Cuenca Population: 11,566,000 Area: 283,560 km2 Currency: 1 US dollar = 100 cents Languages: Spanish, Quechua Religions: Roman Catholic National Anthem [video=youtube_share;POE_fHCCzxU] Shirts Prospects There's no doubting Ecuador have talented attacking players but there is a paucity of top-class defenders. Their results away from Quito, the altitude sickness-inducing capital, do not bode well either. They only dropped two points at home, against Argentina, but failed to win a single away qualifier, taking just three points from those eight games. Key player Mexico-based left winger Jefferson Montero can be unplayable. He scored three goals during the qualifying campaign and attracted interest last summer from a host of Premier League clubs, with Cardiff making a failed bid. The boss Colombian Reinaldo Rueda only played at amateur level but he has the Midas touch as an international coach. He built an excellent reputation with Colombia's youth teams and senior side before guiding unheralded Honduras to the 2010 World Cup, for which he was granted citizenship of the Central American country. Ecuador's Sports Minister has recently suggested a similar honour. How they qualified Ecuador were second in the South American standings after 10 matches but only won one of their last six matches. Crucially, that victory in the penultimate fixture was against nearest rivals Uruguay to all but secure the last automatic qualifying spot. Coach Reinaldo Rueda dedicated the achievement to key forward Christian Benitez, who died suddenly last July from heart failure. World Cup record Ecuador's first World Cup was 2002, when they finished bottom of their group. Four years later, they won two group games but lost to England in the last 16. Fifa ranking: 28 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional). Defenders: Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier (all Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC). Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Michael Arroyo (Atlante). Forwards: Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 France Location: Europe Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Paris Main Cities: Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse Population: 57,571,000 Area: 551,500 km2 Currency: 1 euro = 100 cents Languages: French Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim National Anthem [video=youtube_share;PIQSEq6tEVs] Shirts Prospects At the last four World Cups they've either failed to win a game (2002, 2010) or reached the final (1998, 2006). That Jekyll and Hyde streak remains. Daily sports newspaper L'Equipe asked "is this the worst French team in history?" after a first leg defeat in their play-off with Ukraine. The headline which then followed a rousing second-leg comeback read simply: "Respect." Key player Paul Pogba, 21, has established himself as one of Europe's finest midfielders since joining Juventus, combining athleticism, skill and goal threat. Quite why former manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave him so few chances at Manchester United is increasingly a mystery. The boss Ex-Monaco, Juventus and Marseille boss Didier Deschamps took over in 2012, and recently extended his contract until 2016. Dubbed "the water carrier" during his playing days, he captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup. How they qualified They became the first European side to overturn a two-goal deficit in the play-offs, beating Ukraine with an impressive 3-0 home win - albeit benefiting from an offside goal from striker Karim Benzema. Prior to that second leg, 84% of French fans had predicted failure. France went into the play-offs after finishing three points behind Spain in their group. World Cup record Winners in 1998, runners-up in 2006 and semi-finalists in 1958, 1982 and 1986, their best performances have tended to come close to home. Only once have they reached the knockout stage outside of Europe - that was at Mexico 86. Fifa ranking: 16 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Bastia). Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris St-Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid). Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi (both Paris St-Germain), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille). Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newastle, on loan from QPR), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Honduras Location: Central America Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Tegucigalpa Main Cities: San Pedro Sula, Choluteca, Ceiba Population: 5,797,000 Area: 112,090 km2 Currency: 1 Honduran lempira = 100 centavos Languages: Spanish, English, Indian dialects Religions: Roman Catholic National Anthem [video=youtube_share;Pr-02bkQSrg] Shirts Prospects The Hondurans have qualified for back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history but it would be a major shock if they avoid an early exit. The squad lacks real pedigree, and they are one of the tournament's outsiders. Their lack of technical ability could be partly compensated for by familiarity with the hot and humid conditions expected in parts of Brazil. Key player Strike duo Carlo Costly and Jerry Bengtson netted a combined total of 16 qualifying goals, but the former is the most likely starter if Honduras opt for a lone centre-forward. The boss Colombian coach Luis Fernando Suarez took charge in 2011. As well as overseeing World Cup qualification, he took the Hondurans to the semi-finals of the two most recent Gold Cups and led their Under-23 squad to the quarter-finals of the 2012 Olympics. The 54-year-old has previous World Cup experience, having helped Ecuador reach the last 16 in 2006. How they qualified They finished third in the final round of qualifying despite keeping just two clean sheets in 10 games. Highlights included 2-1 wins at home to the USA and away to Mexico, before a 2-2 draw in Jamaica sealed qualification. World Cup record They failed to win a game (D3, L3) in their two previous campaigns (1982 and 2010). While they did not score a goal in South Africa they were not embarrassed in losses to Chile and Spain, and salvaged pride with a draw against Switzerland. Fifa ranking: 30 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana). Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan), Maynor Figueroa (Hull), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua). Midfielders: Edder Delgado (Real Espana), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Chivas USA). Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Switzerland Location: Europe Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Berne (Bern) Main Cities: Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne Population: 6,910,000 Area: 41,290 km2 Currency: 1 Swiss franc = 100 centimes Languages: French, German, Italian, Romansch Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant National Anthem [video=youtube_share;ZfDpRzN2SBI] Kit Style & formation Switzerland's perfectly-timed rise to become one of the seeded nations for the World Cup is founded on a resilient defence, with two central midfielders shielding the back four. Nonetheless, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has responded to previous criticism of his defensive tactics and rigid 4-4-2 formation by integrating creative young players into a 4-2-3-1 line-up well suited to a counter-attacking approach. "This is a team that doesn't hide," says Hitzfeld. "We are willing to take risks." Strengths A record of nine clean sheets in Switzerland's last 15 matches - including in a 1-0 win over Brazil - is testament to the strength of their aforementioned defence. The Swiss also have several talented youngsters coming through from the sides that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2007 and reached the final at the 2011 European Under-21 Championship. Weaknesses Ottmar Hitzfeld admits his side are profligate in front of goal. Retired all-time top scorer Alexander Frei has not been adequately replaced, with defender Fabian Schar scoring the most goals in qualifying (three). Key player Kosovo-born midfielders Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri followed a similar path from Basel to the Bundesliga in 2012 but it is Xhaka, 21, who has made the breakthrough this season as a regular with Borussia Monchengladbach. Formerly a winger, he now plays in central midfield and has been compared in style and talent to Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger by Ottmar Hitzfeld, who has coached them both. One to watch Striker Haris Seferovic, 22, scored the goal that won the Under-17 World Cup for Switzerland four years ago. He graduated to the senior national side in March 2013, came off the bench to score a last-minute winner against Cyprus in June of that year and started the last four World Cup qualifiers. He joined Real Sociedad last summer, hoping to kickstart his club career after a largely lean time in Italy. The boss Ottmar Hitzfeld will retire following the World Cup, six years after taking charge. The 65-year-old German has infused the team with youth since the failure to qualify for Euro 2012. He is one of only four coaches to win the European Cup with two clubs: Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern Munich in 2001. How they qualified Switzerland qualified with a match to spare for the first time, finishing unbeaten in a relatively weak group and keeping clean sheets in seven of their 10 matches. World Cup record The Swiss have reached three quarter-finals, but none since hosting the tournament in 1954. In 2010, they failed to get out of their group despite an opening 1-0 win over champions Spain. Fifa ranking: 8 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Roman Buerki (Grasshopper), Yann Sommer (Basel). Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Michael Lang (Grasshopper), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schaer (Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo). Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Gokhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (Basel). Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nuremberg), Mario Gavranovic (Zurich), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg), Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 France and Switzerland will qualify without much trouble I reckon. Interested to see Drmic and Xhaka Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I was hoping to see Yann Sommer having heard so much about him, but it looks like Benaglio will the Swiss No.1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottMac Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Would expect the Swiss and France to progress but I think Ecuador will be tough to beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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