The 2010 World Cup resonates strongly throughout Group B where Spain launch their title defense against the Netherlands in a carbon copy of the final at Soweto’s Soccer City four years ago.
Joining the heavyweight European duo are Jorge Sampaoli’s artful Chile, whom Vicente del Bosque’s Spanish champions defeated in the group stage in South Africa, and rank outsiders Australia. Some gripping first-round drama is guaranteed.
After finally getting their names on the World Cup trophy, Spain went on to successfully defend their European crown in 2012. Last year, though, they were soundly defeated by World Cup hosts Brazil in the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Spain’s return to South America comes after a buoyant European season, with an all-Spanish Champions League final between Madrid giants Atletico and winners Real.
Del Bosque’s men have history stacked against them, though. Over half a century has passed since a country mounted a successful defense of their World Cup crown and they could not have feared for a much tougher start to their World Cup defense.
When the two sides walked off the pitch in Soweto they could not imagine there would be a repeat so soon.
“I am sure they didn’t want to face us as much as we didn’t want to face them,” Del Bosque conceded ruefully at the draw.
Group B’s Friday the 13th opener pits Spain’s Barcelona-style tika-taka possession-based game against a Netherlands side now singing to the tune of Louis van Gaal’s less pleasing on the eye, but effective 5-3-2 system.
“There will be critics, but I assume and I truly believe in this system, and in my players chosen to carry it out,” Manchester United-bound Van Gaal said after last week’s 1-0 win over Ghana.
A couple of hours after Spain play the Netherlands, Chile open their campaign against a young Australia in Cuiaba.
Hopes are high in Santiago that in-form Chile can progress beyond the round-of-16 for the first time since finishing third as hosts in 1962.
Galloping to the finals with wins in five of their final six qualifiers, the side coached by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli turn up on the back of a series of impressive results.
They held Spain to a 2-2 draw in Geneva, Switzerland, last year, then outperformed England at Wembley, both their goals coming from Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez.
Australia were the first to arrive in Brazil, sadly though for the Socceroos they may be one of the first to leave, given the complexity of the group.
A modest 59th in FIFA’s world rankings, the lowest ranked of all the teams at the finals, Australia are wearing their minnows’ tag with pride.
“We are the underdogs. It will be a good opportunity for the Australian team to surprise,” midfielder Tommy Oar said.
It is an intriguing group where Spain will be desperate not to avoid the ignominious fate that befell Italy, who turned up in South Africa as champions, only to be bundled out in the group stage.
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