FIFA World Cup 2014

A truly amazing football spectacle that dawns once in every 4years and does leave one with some really memorable and spectacular moments is finally here...The wait was indeed a bit too long but nonetheless it was a wait well worth its weight in gold...The last standing images of FIFA World Cup 2010 does remain Spain’s ascend to glory by fighting the Dutch Orange in the African jungles...La Furia Roza had indeed ascended to glory using the now famous “Tiki-Taka” and in the process had breached 12 kilometres that separated Spain from Africa at their closest point and thus spread a wave of happiness stretching all the way from Bloemfontein to Barcelona.

This was Africa's first FIFA World Cup and it will live in the memory as much for the spirit and smiles of the host nation as for the success of a Spain team. The Vuvuzelas still ring in my mind and so does “ Waka Waka”...That was some 4 years back and for a person like me who has a habit of forgetting things pretty soon, this indeed is surprising but pleasant in itself.

FIFA World Cup indeed is a time when giants fight their way to glory while avoiding the spectacular challengers. All this with just one sole aim- GLORY...That’s what drives them and watching the efforts makes up for spectacular viewing. A team rises-falls, careers are made-break and history is rewritten...A 48 year wait for Glory does not speak highly of any team and to say the least for England...May be they just needed some luck at times (with dreaded penalties) or some more co-ordination among the superstars but that’s what has never materialized...Its another world cup now and I still hope that the 3Lions end their wait for football glory...I have this desire that I can one day see England lifting the world cup- A strange expectation but quite obvious given my love for the English Premiership...

England has indeed looked promising, as always, in the build up to the World Cup but its been far too often that they have flattered to deceive...May be this is a time to actually deliver a killer blow for the world to see...

For starters, a tough Group D comprising of Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica should serve England good...The Azzuri and notably slow starters and with many players well past their prime, it would be difficult to sustain the intensity, may be Super Mario will have to drive them forward by warming up their engines well in time...Next up, Uruguay, a team with high aspirations but a lot resting on injured Luis Suarez, a departure leaving them weak upfront...If they do manage to come through the Italy and Uruguay games unscathed, then its Costa Rica last up, not an easy game by any means, but it would take a brave man to bet against them  for this game. What follows is that emerging through a tough group means Roy Hodgson’s side would be hugely confident facing a team from Group C, likely to be Colombia, Ivory Coast or Japan, Not an as daunting prospect as it appeared in the first place...

If Hodgson does go with the expected starting XI, four of their front six — Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge — will have all been an integral part of Liverpool’s title-contending side. Something that has always raised its evil head, that after competing against each other in the Premier League, the players do not mix well and play as a team. In addition, Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere aren’t exactly bad alternatives to Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, so they should be more than a match for most teams in an attacking-sense... It could very well be Rooney’s last chance for glory at World Cup given the newly found emphasis on youth. In addition, the understanding that the Liverpool players will have built up will work to their advantage, as will their renewed determination to win trophies after the Premier League narrowly eluded them earlier this season... Defensively also, they are not as weak as they would perhaps appear on paper with Joe Hart returning to what he does best and Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka having good campaigns with their respective teams... The chokers tag does remain firmly with them and may be its high time that the tag is taken of them...

England’s world cup preparations have indeed gone on pretty smoothly and this is a lot to go with the mood in the camp... The players appear happier by actually enjoying themselves and surely gone is the sullen arrogance of some seasoned internationals who have quite often given the impression that they had little to prove... For a start the youngsters in the squad seem to have energized the mood in the camp and they look like players who are genuinely excited to be involved. History does say that come the big occasion, in business, politics or sport, experience is your strongest card but Roy's kids could dispel myths that experience always trumps age...A group of boys can truly turn to Men by going for glory...

Last but not the least, the omen s are stronger than ever before... The under-17s just won the European championship and that too on penalties...England are one of the only 2 teams to have beaten Brazil in recent times... Also there are a lot of comparatives with 1966- the year of England’s sole World Cup victory, Austria won the Eurovision Song Contest, AC Milan and Manchester United missed out on Europe, Atletico Madrid won La Liga, Real Madrid won the European Cup, Real Betis were relegated and Deportivo La Coruna were promoted. Some thing that has repeated in 2104...May be the “Scarlett’s Roses”(the English song for world cup) will indeed inspire them this time around...

All said and done, may the best team win...Football is a game to be enjoyed and so be it this time too...

Quote- Unquote:

Step follows step, Hope follows Courage, Set your face towards danger, Set your heart on victory...

But

Anyone can deal with victory. Only the mighty can bear defeat...