World Cup 2014: The Major Questions, Team by Team – Group G

By on June 9, 2014

With just days to go till the big kick-off, what are the major questions going into the 2014 World Cup? James Cartwright reviews the questions surrounding Group G.

Group G

Can the Germans deal with the heat?
Despite having arguably the best squad at the tournament, the main concern for Germany is the location and time of their matches. The Germans couldn’t have got a more difficult draw in terms of the kick off times, having to play all of their group matches in the afternoon in the North East of Brazil, where temperatures are nearly inhumane to play football in. They open against Portugal in Salvador, then they play Ghana in Fortaleza and finally they end in Recife when they play USA. Germany’s style of football can only make it worse for them; if they play their fast counter-attacking style all through the group stages it’s difficult to see them lasting the entire length of the tournament.

Can Ghana get over the Uruguay result?
Ghana’s defeat in the 2010 World Cup Quarter Finals had many questioning the fairness of football. The Ghanaians were cruelly denied a spot in the Semi-finals when Luis Suarez handballed a close range effort and Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty. And Ghana still do have the talent to go far in the tournament, and are perhaps the best African squad in terms of squad balance and experience. However, despite this, it is hard to see them doing well given the difficulty of their group and weight of expectation that will be on them when the tournament kicks off.

Can Ronaldo lead Portugal to glory?
Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal are an ordinary side that ranks alongside England and Netherlands. Yes, they have good players, but none aside from Ronaldo are particularly outstanding. Yet with Ronaldo, Portugal can rival any side in world football and they certainly have the capability to win the tournament. Especially when Ronaldo is at the peak of his powers; the 29-year-old was head and shoulders above Lionel Messi during 2013-14 and if it remains that way in Brazil, Portugal will have a serious chance.

Has Klinsmann made the right decision on Donovan?
The decision to leave Landon Donovan out of USA’s team for the World Cup is one of the most baffling in recent World Cup memory. At 32, the LA Galaxy player still has so much to offer USA in terms of creativity and goals. In a World Cup each team needs a match winners and Donovan is exactly that. Thinking back to the last World Cup, the only reason USA qualified to the Round of 16 was down to Donovan. Klinsmann’s omission of the Donovan has left him vulnerable to criticism, especially when it is more likely to go wrong than right for America.

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About James Cartwright

Sports Journalism student - Long suffering Boro and Steelers fan.