The anticipation is finally over…. Every 4 years a certain event stops the world, we set our alarms for the early hours of the morning and excitedly, albeit a little blurry eyed, glue ourselves to the TV screen to watch the FIFA World Cup, the greatest sporting spectacle in the universe.
The anticipation is finally over…. Every 4 years a certain event stops the world, we set our alarms for the early hours of the morning and excitedly, albeit a little blurry eyed, glue ourselves to the TV screen to watch the FIFA World Cup, the greatest sporting spectacle in the universe.
This time round will be no different, 32 countries, showcasing the most talented footballers on the planet will compete to be crowned “World Champions” in Brazil, but as we know, there can only be one winner.
But it-s not all about that Gold Trophy, there are a lot of debates out there on the various side events, such as who will take home the “Golden Boot”, what team will be the biggest “Surprise of the Tournament” and of course “How will the Socceroos fare?”
We put these and a few other questions to the Perth Glory stars to get their thoughts on what is promising to be the Greatest World Cup ever.
What game are you most looking forward to?
Aside from the World Cup Final, which in theory should be the best game of the tournament, and this is what our goalkeeper and defensive stalwart, Danny Vukovic and Scott Jamieson think, some of the other players are enticed towards games in the earlier rounds, such as the Socceroos Group B clash with reigning World Champions, Spain.
Young Goalkeeper, Jack Duncan believes “This is a chance to test ourselves against the current champions and an opportunity for some of the younger boys to make a statement on the world stage” and this view was supported by new signings Diogo Ferreira and Dino Djulbic as well as Danny De Silva and Matt Davies.
Another fixture in Group B that has also caught the eye of the team, is the rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final between, Spain and the Netherlands, and this is the one that Jack Clisby is eagerly awaiting, feeling the blend of youth and experience in both squads will make it a great spectacle from a neutrals point of view.
In general, everyone is looking forward to the Socceroos games and also fixtures involving world heavyweights such as Brazil, Germany and Argentina. Bosnia and Honduras have also been flagged by a couple of the team as ones to keep a close eye on.
So who will win the World Cup?
The hot favourites are hosts, Brazil, with most of the Glory squad believing they will lift the Cup. Coach, Andy Ord, also feels the World Cup will remain in South America and is heavily supported in his view by Glory owner, Tony Sage, both backing Argentina to triumph.
If the World Cup is to return to Europe then Dino Djulbic feels Germany have the quality to win it for the 4th time, whilst Perth Glory CEO, Jason Brewer, feels the perennial underachievers, England, will finally live up to their potential and lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.
And who will win the Golden Boot?
Again the South Americans come out on top, with Brazilians, Hulk and Neymar plus Argentina-s Messi the obvious choices with most of the players, and of course you couldn’t leave out Portugal-s star man, Ronaldo, despite the injury cloud surrounding him.
A few outsiders have also been slipped in, with Italy-s, Balotelli, Germany-s, Muller and Uruguayan, Suarez, all figuring, but Jason Brewer is hoping that England-s Daniel Sturridge-s form runs hot and the Liverpool striker takes home the converted “Golden Boot”.
And the surprise team of the tournament?
Belgium is by far the popular choice, with overwhelming support from the majority of the Glory players and with stars like Courtois, Kompany, Fellaini , Hazad and Lukaku in their squad they should be a good bet to go deep into the tournament.
Bosnia, Ivory Coast, Portugal and Algeria are all tipped to cause upsets along with Chris Harold-s team of the tournament, Honduras.
And of course what chances do Australia have?
The question is on everyone-s lips and although they have been drawn in what is possibly considered, the most difficult group in the tournament, it is not all doom and gloom for Ange Postecoglou-s men.
Both Scott Jamieson and Danny Vukovic think that, although it-s going to be tough time for the Socceroos, they feel that if we pick up points in a group of this calibre, then it will be considered a major achievement, considering the upheaval and revamping of the squad.
Danny De Silva and Dino Djulbic also think that the unpredictability of the Australian team is an asset that could help them cause an upset whilst Diogo Ferreira feels that in the World Cup, you just never know!
The FIFA World Cup 2014 Kicks off tomorrow morning at 3am (WST) with the hosts, Brazil, taking on underdogs Croatia at Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo and the Socceroos will start off their campaign against Chile on Saturday morning KO 6am (WST).
So get yourself ready for the late nights and early mornings. Whichever way you look at it, dragging yourself into work half asleep will be worth it just to get a glimpse of all the glitz and glamour of a World Cup that should live up to the high expectations thrust upon it from a world-wide TV audience. The viewing figures alone, for the 2010 World Cup Final, were estimated to be in excess of 715 million people, and with organisers expecting that number to be toppled in this year-s World Cup Final you wouldn’t want to miss a minute of the greatest tournament on Earth.
#GoSocceroos #NOTGIVINGIN
