Brazil welcomes the world
The Fifa World Cup 2014 Prelimenary draw took place this last weekend in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil. the draw, led by FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke and assisted by a number of past and future brazilian football stars, was a sneak peek of what the world can expect when they start arriving for FIFA's showpiece event in just under 3 years time but despite the festivities it was the World Cup draw that grabbed the headlines and it didn't disappoint with at least 1 or 2 mouth watering clashes scattered around all continents. We at GEM decided to sift through the draw and bring you 2 or 3 fixtures to look forward to from each region.
Africa
The second largest region in terms of participating member associations, Africa's giants remained largely unchallenged in their draws but its in southern africa that things get really interesting.
South Africa V Botswana
Probably the only team in South Africa's group that could cause a sleepless night or 2. The rise of both nations football fortunes have been near parallel in recent years. South Africa having only tasted defeat once since the close of the world cup in 2010 while Botswana, the first nation to qualify for next years African Nations Cup, have stunned all before them. This should be a cracker and the fact that they are neighbours only adds flavour to the clash.
Prediction: S.A 3 Botswana 1
Botswana 2 S.A 1
Zimbabwe V egypt
All fingers south of sudan will be crossed that the mighty warriors of Zimbabwe can cause an upset by beating the continential giant. For the zimbabweans there could be no better timing,an egyptian side wounded near fatal and in real danger of missing next years Nations Cup and a Zimbabwean side bouyed by the wave of optomism and improvemnt of football in Southern Africa.
Prediction: Zim 1 Egypt 1
Egypt 1 Zim 0
Asia
One of the most improved associations in recent years, they have contributed much to the global growth of the game and the fact that Australia are now a more fully settled part of the region makes the region more competitive than ever before
Saudi Arabia V Australia
In a true western (cowboys and indians era) clash its the old sheriff of the region, Saudi Arabia VS the new young gun slinger from australia. Although their respective fortunes are going in opposite directions there's still enough to make you watch it, even if its only to see how real the aussie threat really is.
S.A 1 Australia 2
Australia 3 S.A 0
Korea DPR V Japan
In this showdown of 2 of last years World Cups participants there's much to prove. First that japan are the real top dogs of the asian region, Second that korea DPR are more than just a filler for the region and Third that Asia has enough to compete with the big boys of world football.
Korea DPR 0 Japan 1
Japan 3 Korea DPR 0
CONCAF
The most complex and confusing qualifiying format in all existance, there are an abundance of participating nations but very little quality
Trinidad& Tobago V Mexico
Mexico have been really impressive lately with some very good results on the international stage and a number of good young stars coming through their ranks. The Gold Cup Winners are shoe in to beat all before them. So, what do you give to a side who have (almost) everything? Well if you can't give them an American Civil War( USA V Mexico) give them a tough challenge like only Trinidad and Tobago can provide.
T&T 1 Mexico 2
Mexico 3 T&T 1
U.S V Jamaica
In another great clash of 2 side with experience at the World Cup, the constantly improving U.S team take on a stubborn Jamaican side that are hard to break at home. Their recent lose to the U.S only adds more passion to this Gold Cup Quater Final rematch
U.S 2 Jamaica 1
Jamaica 2 U.S 0
Oceania
A quite boring region with more passion for rugby than for the beautiful game, still their qualifier always give the big fish of the football world a real scare.
FIJI V New Zealand
Possibly the only exciting match to be drawn in the region, pitting probably the regions only 2 decent sides against each other.Having said that the "All Whites" of New Zealand, the only side unbeaten in last years World Cup, should be good enough to sweep aside the islanders
N.Z 3 Fiji 0
Fiji 0 NZ 2
Europe
The region with the greatest football teams in the world and the greatest number of filler teams ( teams whose sole purpose is to make up numbers) in the world, At least the qualifying process, of group winners qualifying for the world cup automatically, is easy to understand
Scotland Vs Wales
2 members of The so called "Home Nations" tournament. With all the talk of a combined Great Britian Football Team in the Olympics next year this is the time for each of these sides to show their worth not only on the United Kingdom front but also a global stage.
Scotland 2 Wales 1
Wales 1 scotland 1
Poland v Ukraine
The 2 nations will be co hosting the euro 2012 tournament and so this should be an interesting encounter to see how these 2 allies will fare when faced with each other, with no Andrei schenvko to motivate them how will Ukraine handle their Western neighbour?
Poland 1 Ukraine 0
Ukraine 1 poland 1
Spain vs France
Both sides have won the world cup in the last 15 years and are giants on the continent with many of their players plying their trade around the worlds biggest leagues. This is the true european clash and there is not much to suggest we’ll be disappointed.
Spain 2 France 0
France 1 Spain 1
South America
The South American format is the same as it has been in recent memory with a league format of deciding the top 4 sides and the 5th team who will play an Asian qualifier.
Brazil vs Argentina
The el classic of national football its really when most of the players that make the beautiful game beautiful get to strut their stuff to a background of ancient rivalry and hostility.
Uruguay
The spain of South America, we all knew deep down that they had the talent and potential to be world class but when, a year ago, they marched on and on without defeat , we were honestly shocked and a little surprised now a world cup semifinalist and Copa America winner they are showing they are the real deal.
What were your thoughts on the draw? Have South Africa got it easy? Whose your bet to win the World Cup?
Drop us a line on the comments section below and let us know what you think.
In : Football