FIFA World Cup 2014: Group F
Teams:
Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Germany
17 FIFA World Cup Appearances
3 times Champions – 1954 (Switzerland), 1974 (Germany), 1990 (Italy)
2nd in Current FIFA Rankings
Coach: Joachim Low
Players to watch out for: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze
Road to the FIFA World Cup 2014
Germany remained unbeaten and topped their group and hence sealed the automatic birth for the FIFA World Cup 2014. Germany won 9 games out of 10 they played and hit 36 goals which is the most of any European team during the qualifications. The only thing German fans would like to forget is that 4-4 draw against Sweden in Berlin after leading them by 4-0 at one point of time.
Portugal
5 FIFA World Cup Appearances
0 times Champions – Best 3rd place in 1966 (England)
3rd in Current FIFA Rankings
Coach: Paulo Bento
Players to watch out for: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Alves, Joao Pereira, Fabio Coentrao, Joao Moutinho, Nani
Road to the FIFA World Cup 2014
Portugal had to go through the play-offs to qualify for the world cup for the second time in a row. After getting surprise draws against Northern Ireland and Israel and losing goal opportunities against Spain, they beat Sweden by 4-2 to book their place for 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Ghana
2 FIFA World Cup Appearances
0 times Champions – Best Quarter Finals in 2010 (South Africa)
38th in Current FIFA Rankings
Coach: Kwesi Appiah
Players to watch out for: Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan
Road to the FIFA World Cup 2014
Ghana had the toughest qualifying draw amongst their African counterparts. But they won five out of their first six games among which three of them were against Zambia, Lesotho and Sudan. The only loss by 1-0 against Zambia later on was the only blemish in their campaign, but then beating Egypt by 6-1 at home and 2-1 in Cairo sealed their place for this years’ football world cup.
USA
9 FIFA World Cup Appearances
0 times Champions – Best – 3rd in 1930 (Uruguay)
14th in Current FIFA Rankings
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Players to watch out for: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard
Road to the FIFA World Cup 2014
Their first game loss to Honduras by 2-1 in the CONCACAF zone raised many eyebrows, but then they went on to win their next 7 games out of 10 and finished with four full points just above Costa Rica in the final standings.
