Fallen giants 'feeling pressure' ahead of Qatar

2 years ago 83

There's nary federation much synonymous with the World Cup than Brazil.

Most millennial oregon Gen X shot fans person grown up with a palmy Brazil squad - they won the tourney successful 1994 and 2002, made the last successful 1998, and were routinely astatine the apical of the FIFA World Rankings.

But erstwhile stars of the magnitude of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, among others, began to fade, they experienced (by their standards) a comparatively thin period, being knocked retired successful the quarter-finals successful some 2006 and 2010.

Hosting the tourney successful 2014, that was expected to beryllium their triumphant instrumentality to the pinnacle of the sport, and instead? The astir embarrassing infinitesimal successful the team's history.

After a ruthless qualifying run wherever they won 14 and drew 3 of their 17 matches, they made it backmost to the apical of the rankings successful March of this year, wherever they stay - and are steadfast favourites to triumph the tourney for the sixth time.

This is simply a squad with elite players astatine each position, galore of whom were determination successful 2014 and cognize what it feels similar to person the value of anticipation connected their shoulders.

They couldn't grip the unit 8 years ago, and meekly went retired successful the quarters again successful 2018. Will this beryllium different? For many, similar 38-year-old skipper Thiago Silva, and prima subordinate Neymar, who missed the 2014 semi done injury, it simply has to be.

Teams (FIFA World Ranking):

Brazil (1)

The five-time champions secured qualification with plentifulness of games to spare, winning 14 and drafting 3 of their 17 matches. It was 1 of the astir awesome qualifying campaigns ever, as they easy finished connected apical up of arch-rivals Argentina.

Serbia (21)

Serbia pulled disconnected arguably the most-dramatic qualification infinitesimal extracurricular of abrupt decease play-offs, as they came into their last crippled against Portugal needing to bushed Cristiano Ronaldo and institution to advance. A 90th infinitesimal extremity to Aleksandar Mitrovic did the trick, sparking chaotic celebrations.

Switzerland (15)

The Swiss came into the last time of qualification level connected points with Italy, but with an inferior extremity quality - but portion Switzerland smashed Bulgaria 4-0, the Azzurri stumbled to a 0-0 gully with Northern Ireland, allowing their neighbours to swipe their spot successful Qatar. Italy would past spell connected to endure further humiliation successful the play-offs.

Cameroon (43)

Another who qualified successful highly melodramatic circumstances, Cameroon had led 1-0 aft 90 minutes successful Algeria pursuing the reverse of that scoreline astatine home. In other time, the hosts thought they'd done capable aft a 118th infinitesimal goal, lone for Karl Toko Ekambi to slot location successful the 4th infinitesimal of added clip to bargain it connected the distant goals rule.

Fixtures:

Switzerland vs Cameroon - Thursday November 24, 9pm

Brazil vs Serbia - Friday November 25, 6am

Cameroon vs Serbia - Monday November 28, 9pm

Brazil vs Switzerland - Tuesday November 29, 3am

Serbia vs Switzerland - Saturday December 3, 6am

Cameroon vs Brazil - Saturday December 3, 6am

Prediction:

Brazil are red-hot favourites to advance, but it's up successful the aerial for that different spot. Switzerland are masters of the radical stage, having navigated their mode to the circular of 16 successful 3 of the past 4 World Cups.

1st: Brazil

2nd: Switzerland

3rd: Cameroon

4th: Serbia

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