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Could Croatia Spoil Brazil’s Opening-Night World Cup Party?
Published: June 10, 2014
Bunting comprised of myriad replicas of that familiar green and yellow flag, shot through with the motto, "Ordem e Progresso," decks every restaurant and shop. The sand sculptors on Copacabana have turned their hand from castles and famous faces to likenesses of the trophy the Selecao know so well.
Yet for all the sense of anticipation, a certain anxiety quickly becomes apparent when you discuss World Cup prospects with ordinary Brazilians. Brows frequently furrow, and few want to puff their chests out and predict that Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side will go all the way.
In a few short days, we will discover if the joyous Confederations Cup success of last summer was the prologue to triumph this summer or whether the ghosts of 1950 exist in the team as they do in large swathes of the general public.
Scolari’s plan is not in any doubt. If you asked 10 keen followers of the team what they think Felipao’s XI will be for Thursday’s opener against Croatia at the Maracana, they would probably all give you the same answer: "We are expecting no surprises in selection."
If there is to be a surprise on the night, perhaps it will come from Croatia.
Group A is a pool that we assume will be straightforward for Brazil, with Cameroon’s well-publicised haggling over bonuses distracting them and Mexico perpetually underestimated; though the large numbers of Mexican fans filling Copacabana and Ipanema’s bars on Friday night to watch the friendly with Portugal on television will disagree.
Some may believe that Croatia are makeweights too, but there is a glimmer of hope for the underdogs as they gradually grow in strength. One would have given little credence to this suggestion six months ago, as Croatia thanked their lucky stars for a clement play-off d...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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