BRAZIL 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP SPECIAL
C
COLOMBIA,GREECE,COTED'IVOIRE,JAPAN
DOGGED:
Greece's defender Jose
Holebas and Romania's
Stancu (R) vie for the ball
football also has a long tradition in this
Mediterranean nation. The Greeks will be
in Brazil, hoping to get as far as the
quarter-finals stage of the World Cup.
Their exploits in 2004 when they won the
European Championship seems to be a
distant memory now and only a strong
performance in Brazil will reinstate them as
serious campaigners on the biggest stage.
PREPARATION: Greece effectively
began their preparations for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup with a defeat by fellow finalists
South Korea at Olympiacos FC's Stadio
Georgios Karaiskakis on March 5, 2014
which they lost 2-0. The Greek's next
game is a friendly against Cristiano
Ronaldo-inspired Portugal in an
international friendly on 31 May, 2014.
HIGH POINT: Greece will not be
favourites to pose any serious threats at
the World Cup and that could be a perfect
situation for them as it means Fernando
Santos' men will not be under any sort of
pressure. The team also have the bulk of
players that have consistently performed
admirably for some years now , which
ominously means there is experience
going for them. The Greeks make up for
what they lack in 'world class' talents with
excellent organisation and team discipline.
LOW POINT: Greece have a penchant
for playing defensively although they could
boast of some exciting attacking talents in
their fold. More significantly is the fact that
the 'Ethnikis' are in a World Cup group that
parade footballing nations whose teams
are in the 'last chance saloons'. Colombia
could always boast of wonderful array of
midfield