The curtain raiser on the greatest show on Earth kicks off today at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo as hosts Brazil take on a spirited Croatian side to kickstart one month of footballing extravaganza.
The teams starting lineup:
Brazil: Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, L.Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred
Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaijko. Brozovic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Olic, Jelavic
Players to look out for: of Croatia
Luka Modric, who ended the season as a crucial cog in the Real Madrid machine, will likely partner Barcelona new-recruit Ivan Rakitic. Rakitic’s arrival at the Nou Camp put paid to Cesc Fabregas’s three-years at his boyhood club, so much is expected of the 26-year-old. Inter Milan’s prodigious Mateo Kovacic makes up a quite forbidding midfield for Niko Kovac’s side, who certainly won’t be making up the numbers.
Neymar of Brazil
The tricky winger-cum-second striker provides the ammunition as well as the goals in abundance in the absence of any proficient striker. His all-round ability to press high up the pitch, and run into spaces quickly in transition is Brazil’s evident strategy.
Moreover, he is never afraid of taking defenders one-on-one, which is his and probably Brazil’s biggest asset. His ability to take on defenders and induce fouls means that he is Brazil’s gameplan at the showpiece event.
Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/12/brazil-v-croatia-tip-back-neymar-to-score-in-opening-world-cup-game/#yvVvw7j4EpegfrJQ.99
UpDates: The 2014 FIFA World Cup Kicks off with Brazil vs Croatia
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