World Cup 2014: Most Intriguing Group Fixtures Flying Under the Radar
Not all World Cup matches are created equal.
Don't get me wrong, I love football as much as the next guy, but even I have trouble getting motivated for the Korea Republic vs. Algeria. Honduras vs. Ecuador doesn't have the makings of a barnburner, either.
With so much football to come in the next few weeks, it will be important to properly manage your time. More power to you if you want/can watch each and every single match, but more than likely, sacrifices will have to be made.
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The four fixtures below should make the final cut. At first, they may not seem that intriguing; however, they should all carry some weight in terms of who advances out of the group stage.
Nigeria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
This is the match that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to win if it's to advance to the knockout stage. Starting out with Argentina in the group stage is brutal, but as long as it takes three points off Nigeria, all will be well.
The Super Eagles are the exact kind of team that can give Bosnia and Herzegovina a ton of trouble. As good as the Dragons are in the attack—Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic up top, with Miralem Pjanic sitting behind the strikers—their defense is a major question mark.
Coach Safet Susic makes no bones about his team's attacking style.
"We know that it can cost us, but that is the price we are willing to pay," he's quoted as saying in the Summer 2014 issue of World Soccer. "In the end, we play to score more goals than the opposition—and it has paid off so far."
Nigeria has a ton of speed on the wings with Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa, who's been dealing with injuries ahead of the World Cup:
The warming of the relationship between Stephen Keshi and Peter Odemwingie is only a boost to the national team, too.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina's predisposition for the attack, it can be ripped apart on the counter by Nigeria.
At the very least, this match should be fun to watch.
Belgium vs. Russia
This is the first real test for Belgium at the World Cup. Algeria is much improved from 2010, but its defense is still lagging behind a bit. The Belgians should secure three points there.
The Russians are a different story.
Since Fabio Capello's come in, the more attacking style that former managers Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat utilized has made way for a defensive pragmatism. Russia surrendered five goals in its 10 World Cup qualifiers.
Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski have a strong partnership in the center of defense forged by their time together at CSKA Moscow.
Belgium had an injury scare with Romelu Lukaku, but it would appear that he'll be healthy when the Red Devils kick off in Brazil, per ESPN FC:
There's still the question, though, whether Lukaku can hold up the ball in the way that Christian Benteke did for the national team.
Belgium has become the hipster's favorites, and this match will serve as a barometer for whether it's truly strong enough to make a deep run.
Croatia vs. Mexico
Brazil will advance to the knockout stages, leaving an interesting battle between Croatia, Cameroon and Mexico for the final spot in Group A.
Cameroon doesn't have much creativity in midfield, which puts too much weight on the back of Samuel Eto'o's shoulders. At 33 years old, he can't be the talisman.
The pay dispute between the national team and the national football federation also illustrated that the team is never too far from off-field turmoil.
More than likely, Croatia and Mexico will be fighting for the last spot, and their match on June 23 will decide who goes through.
The Croatians have one of the most entertaining midfields in Brazil, with Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric more central and Mateo Kovacic in behind the striker. Mario Mandzukic up top helps bring it all together:
Croatia has its weaknesses, though, namely the absence of a defensive midfielder with Modric and Rakitic in central midfield, while the left-back position is a black hole.
Mexico has been kind of everywhere in terms of form during qualification. When the team puts it all together, it can be very good.
El Tri have more than enough speed and skill in the attack to expose Croatia's defensive frailties.
Greece vs. Cote d'Ivoire
By now, everybody knows what to expect from Greece. It'll be very strong in defense. When it goes down, though, its lack of creativity in midfield makes it extremely hard for the team to get back into the match.
That's become even more difficult with Kostas Mitroglou hardly seeing the pitch since his move to Fulham.
Greece's pragmatic style will make it hard to beat, and it could advance to the knockout stages.
Cote d'Ivoire will be its toughest competition.
Although Didier Drogba is 36 years old, Les Elephants have plenty of complements in the attack, whether it's Gervinho, Wilfried Bony or Salomon Kalou.
Still, Boubacar Barry still scares the crap out of you at goalkeeper, and the Cote d'Ivoire hasn't advanced past the group stage in either of its previous two World Cup trips.
This match should be a compelling tactical battle between Greece's defensive strength and the Cote d'Ivoire's powerful midfield and impressive width.
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