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Chile is hoping to put an end to their 12 year drought from the football World Cup and come back in a big way in this year’s tournament. The period of waiting since 1998 World Cup has finally ended and the players are raring to go for making their country proud and do justice to thousands of Chilean prayers. The new look Chilean football team is determined to put all past mistakes aside and come back in an absolutely new way to earn accolades from the football fans.

How They Got There?

The Latina Flavour

The road through the qualifying stage was not so easy for Chile. The team had to play with some of the top South American teams like Columbia, Paraguay, Venezuela and Uruguay. And in addition to these teams, the group also had two giants of international football: Brazil and Argentina. However, the Chilean team faced the competition with might and finished second in the group rankings. Throughout the qualifying stage, the team performed more or less consistently and answered the critics through some great display of football. They secured a ticket to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after defeating Columbia by 4-2 in the away match.

The Coach

Coach Marcelo Bielsa is the person behind the revival of Chile into the World Cup circuit again. Nicknamed as El Loco, this man from Argentina has brought a new wave of hope into Chilean football. He usually prefers the  3-1-2-1-3 or  3-3-1-3 formation techniques to bring more attack and variation in the team. Such methods have paid off well and even ace teams have shown difficulty to combat these innovative tactics. Himself a hard working man, Bielsa also puts stress on traits like discipline, perseverance, motivation and confidence in players.

The Team

Fire In Their Bellies

The all young team of Chile is made of some of the best players of the club circuit. Some of them are regulars in premier football clubs. The attacking line, lead by stars like Alexis Sanchez, Humberto Suazo, Esteban Paredes and others. It is backed up by a strong midfield consisting of Matías Fernández, Jean Beausejour, Carlos Carmona and Rodrigo Millar to name a few. The formidable defence line has players like Pablo Contreras, Gary Medel, Waldo Ponce. The Chilean goal will be protected by Claudio Bravo, Luis Marín and Miguel Pinto.

Mixed With Flair Is Hard Tackling Style

Hungry for success, Chile is a team on which you can put your hopes against. They are eager to regain the lost pride and impress football lovers with a touch of skill.

Others in Group H

1. Spain
2. Honduras
3. Switzerland

In regards to the FIFA World Cup with 14 participation, Mexico are hoping to shed their defeatist attitude and rise up again as a top team in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Mexico football team which has some promising youngsters of international caliber is all set to create a big impression by playing some superb football. With five wins under their belt prior to the big event, they will surely give some champion teams a hard run for their money.

How They Got There?

Would The Smile Broaden in South Africa?

Mexico’s journey in the qualifying stages began after they beat minnows Belize in the second round to move to the next phase. Here they faced some tough teams like Canada, Honduras and Jamaica. Things were not so smooth for the Mexicans and after much contest, they managed to move to the final round ahead of Jamaica due to goal difference. Here too, they suffered in the initial stages with defeats versus USA and Honduras. This cost the coach his job and some key members of the team were also scrapped. The next part of the final round was perhaps like a dream for Mexico. Fortune soared and the team won 5 matches in a row to qualify for the World Cup. With a draw in the last match against Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico finished second in the final qualifying group.

The Coach

Javier Aguirre, the present coach of Mexico, is perhaps the miracle man who transformed the team’s fortune and gifted them the ticket to the World Cup. Lovingly known as El Vasco, he has always been the mentor of the team in turbulent times and the qualifying rounds were also no difference. This former Mexican midfielder is best known for his innovative tactical skills. He usually prefers the 4-3-3  team format and even has successfully experimented with the 3-5-2 format. Aguirre is also regarded as one of the most acclaimed coaches in international club football and has successfully coached premier teams like Osasuna and Atletico Madrid.

The Team

Would The Gala Dazzle Others

The Mexican team is a mixture of young blood and experience. The strong striking force comprising of veterans like Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco will be backed by skilled mid-fielders such as Andres Guardado, Gerardo Torrado and Israel Castro. The defense line is made up of youngsters like Jorge Torres Nilo, Hector Moreno, Efrain Juarez and others while the net will be defended by ace goalkeeper Oscar Perez, along with the reserves Luis Ernesto Michel and Guillermo Ochoa. This may be the last world cup  of Blanco and he will be raring to bring that smile to his fans.

Smooth Passing and Hard Play

The countdown has already started and Mexicans are hoping their favorite team to rise up from the ashes and walk the path towards success.

Others in Group A

1. South Africa
2. Uruguay
3. France

The star and stripes team of Uncle Sam hopes to do it big in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Ranked 14th in the FIFA rating, this team is a blend of fresh blood and experience which has perhaps led to their star performance. Having featured in past 9 FIFA World Cup finals, USA is being considered as one of the top contenders to reach the semi finals this year. They had last entered the semi final stage in 1930 FIFA World Cup and almost all Americans are hoping history to repeat itself in 2010. With some star players and a good coach, USA looks to be a team on which you can bet your money.

How They Got There?

Heading for the Winner

USA enjoyed a rocking entry to the 2010 World Cup South Africa with some of their best performances and claimed the first position in the qualifying round of North, Central and Caribbean zones. Through some spectacular performance, they won 7 of 8 matches versus Cuba, Guatemala, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago to move to the forth round. After beating arch rivals Mexico 2-0 in this round (which took USA’s unbeaten winning streak against Mexico at home soil to 11), they drew with El Salvador and won against Trinidad and Tobago.

The qualifying path somewhat became a bit steep when they suffered a reverse fortune after been defeated by Costa Rica and Mexico (in the away match). The resilient US team did not lose confidence and came back strongly to beat El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras to bag the qualifying ticket to South Africa . The first position was secured after drawing with Costa Rica.

The Coach

The USA team is coached by Bob Bradley, under whom they have performed excellently. With his tactical moves and strong motivating capabilities, Bradley has instilled that confidence among players. This has been a key factor for such splendid form of the team. Bradley is credited for helping USA achieve some milestones in football when they became champions of the Gold Cup 2007 and runners-up in the Confederations Cup 2009.

The Team

How Much Would The Stars Shine?

The USA 2010 World Cup squad is a combination of young and experienced players, some of whom have excellent records. The likes of Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Oguchi Onyewu, Tim Howard, Client Dempsey are sure to make ripples in the World Cup matches. With three successive goals against Trinidad and Tobago in the qualifying stage, Jozy Altidore has already become the youngest US player to make a hat-trick and a lot is expected from him too.

The Young Brigade Raring to Go

On the whole, the US football team has that balance and depth to compete with champion teams in this World Cup.

Others in Group C
1. England
2. Algeria
3. Slovenia

Cameroon will hope to bring back their days of glory when they enter the field to play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. With a new look promising side backed by some expert performers, Cameroon can be a team to look for from the African continent. With an inspiring performance in  the qualifiers, the Cameroon football team are all set to answer the prayers of thousands of Cameroonians this World Cup.

How They Got There?

Take It From Them!

Cameroon was paired with Morocco, Togo and Gabon and had a mixed start in the World Cup qualifying rounds of the World Cup. The first two matches were depressing for the team after they shockingly lost to minnows Togo and drew with Morocco. Times were not good and a new coach was appointed to turn on things. It bore fruit and Cameroon stepped into the winning note with two wins against Gabon in a row within a period of four days. The win injected rush of blood and lifted the spirits. The team went on to win against Togo by 3-0 and in their last match they defeated Morocco 2-0. With four consecutive wins under their credit, the road to World Cup 2010 was secured by them.

The Coach

Paul Le Guen is the current coach of Cameroon and was responsible for reversing the fortunes of the team to help them qualify in the World Cup. With scores of experience in international football, this former French player has successfully brought a host of innovative tactics in the football field. He emphasizes on physical strength and speed and prefers the 4-4-2  formation. Le Guen is also a well known name in club football and has worked with top teams such as Paris St. Germain, Rangers and Lyon.

The Team

Lions of Africa Out of Their Den

The Cameroon world cup squad is mainly made up of youngsters, some of who have performed excellently in the club level. The forward line consists of a bunch of young players like Pierre Webo, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto’o and Vincent Aboubakar. Veteran Mohammadou Idrissou is also a strength of the striking line and is known for his speed and strong shots. Eto’o is a player to watch out for in this world cup. Cameroon has a strong midfield with players such as Georges Mandjeck, Alexandre Song, Jean Makoun and Eyong Enoh in the position. Rigobert Song, Stephane Mbia, Geremi Njitap are some experts in the defense line while the goal keeping duites vest on veteran Souleymanou Hamidou and young Idriss Carlos Kameni and Guy N’dy Assembe.

Breaches Are A Rarity in Defence

With the right professional attitude, team spirit and zeal to win, Cameroon is a strong contender to reach the last three stages of this year’s World Cup.

Others in Group E

1. Holland
2. Japan
3. Denmark