Binge Media Sports: 2014 FIFA World Cup-Group A & Group B

That’s right folks…I do soccer or football or futbol too. Whether we like it or not here in the States, it is the biggest sport in the entire world, so I couldn’t just let it pass without giving you a look. It may not be the greatest look, but I’ll give it a shot. So with that, I welcome you to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Honestly, I get pretty jacked up for this in a similar way I do for the Olympics. Anything that has to do with representing one’s country is always exciting sport for me to watch, and what the World Cup gives you is the best players in the world doing what they do best giving it all for their country (unless you’re Landon Donovan anyway….awww, too soon?). If you’re not familiar with the process, allow me to give you a quick synopsis. The World Cup consists of 32 teams, who have spent two years playing qualifying matches in six different FIFA zones: Africa, Asia, North/Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Oceania, and of course, Europe. These matches involve so many different nations all looking to find a spot in the world’s biggest tournament until the final 32 are decided, sometimes even involving some playoffs.

These 32 teams are then divided into eight groups, consisting of four teams each. The four teams in each group all play each other in a round-robin style mini-tournament over the first two weeks of competition. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 16, or the knockout stage, when games become winner moves on, loser goes home. In group play, teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. If two teams end up tied in points, tiebreakers are used to decide who moves on. It starts with goal difference, then moves to total goals scored, and then the head-to-head matchup.

Coverage starts June 12th and all 64 matches will be shown on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. So my plan is this. Every couple of days leading up to the start of the tournament, I’ll bring you a preview of two groups. You’ll know the teams, the big players, the entire TV schedule, and a quick preview of the group as a whole. You’ll then have a chance to vote for the two teams you think will advance to the knockout stage. So keep constantly checking in with Binge Media Sports for all of your World Cup needs. Today, we start at the top with Group A and Group B.

 

GROUP A

BRAZIL

CROATIA

MEXICO

CAMEROON

 

TV SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 12-Brazil v. Croatia-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ESPN

Friday, June 13-Mexico v. Cameroon-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN2

Tuesday, June 17-Brazil v. Mexico-2:00 Eastern/1:00 Central-ESPN

Wednesday, June 18-Cameroon v. Croatia-6:00 Eastern/5:00 Central-ESPN

Monday, June 23-Croatia v. Mexico-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN

Monday, June 23-Cameroon v. Brazil-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN2

 

GROUP PREVIEW: Host country Brazil leads Group A and comes in confident with a win in the FIFA Confederations Cup and are the clear favorites to win Group A. Also not unusual is the fact that Brazil enters this World Cup as one of the early favorites to win the entire thing. However, it’s a lot of pressure to win the World Cup at home, so we’ll see how Brazil comes out in the tournament’s opening match on June 12. The Brazil squad is led by Neymar, Fred, and Thiago Silva.

Mexico actually needed up from the rival U.S. to even make it here, so this team comes in looking to overcome obstacles in qualifying and make a good showing. They were in so much trouble that they changed coaches twice in a three month period. Oribe Peralta and Raul Jimenez lead Mexico into this World Cup as they open against Cameroon on Friday the 13th.

Speaking of Cameroon, they had to fight off Tunisia very late in qualifying to earn their spot. While most see them as no real threat in this group, Samuel Eto’o and Alexandre Jong will look to keep Cameroon in a few games.

Croatia also needed a play-off to qualify, but may have the best chance to join Brazil in the Round of 16 as Mario Mandzukic and Luka Modric are the players to watch for this team. Croatia’s match with Mexico on the final day of group play on June 23rd may decide who moves on.

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GROUP B

SPAIN

NETHERLANDS

CHILE

AUSTRALIA

 

TV SCHEDULE

Friday, June 13-Spain v. Netherlands-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ESPN

Friday, June 13-Chile v. Australia-6:00 Eastern/5:00 Central-ESPN2

Wednesday, June 18-Australia v. Netherlands-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN

Wednesday, June 18-Spain v. Chile-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ESPN

Monday, June 23-Australia v. Spain-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN2

Monday, June 23-Netherlands v. Chile-Noon Eastern/11:00 Central-ESPN

 

GROUP PREVIEW:  Group B actually starts with a rematch of the 2010 title game as the Netherlands take on 2010 champion Spain, who come in with a roster that has been playing together for a long time, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso. It’s always tough to defend a championship, and Spain hasn’t been given the easiest draw in their quest to repeat.

The Netherlands come off their runner-up finish in South Africa looking to justify their run four years ago. Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie, and Rafael Van Der Vaart lead the charge.

Chile comes in looking to be one of the surprise teams of this World Cup. They’ve played some good games against some really tough opponents in the past few months and recently played Spain to a 2-2 draw. Their match on June 18th could play a big part of the overall picture in Group B. Players to watch for the Chileans are Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, and Claudio Bravo.

Australia rounds out this group and will do their best to keep pace in this very competitive foursome. They went through some ups and downs in qualifying and may not have the firepower to make it out of group play. Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill will do their best to lead Australia to an upset or two.

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Check back soon for a preview of Group C and Group D.  If you feel the need to justify your picks or just have some thoughts on the World Cup in general, feel free to comment below or even better, follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.