10 teams who can surprise us in the 2014 World Cup – Part One

As of now, twenty teams have booked their tickets for the biggest stage in International Football, the FIFA World Cup due to held next summer in the Land of the Samba. While some big guns notably Portugal are yet to qualify there have been some surprises as well with just twelve teams left to qualify. While Iran, Jordan and Bosnia and Herzegovina have surprised many by booking their slots, teams like Honduras, Costa Rica and South Korea will always pose an outside threat.

So here is the first column of the series of the top ten teams who can surprise in the World Cup. Read the second part of the series here.

United States

The US National team have stamped their authority in the CONCAF zone and would be looking on overachieving in Brazil. Jurgen Klinman’s men scored two astonishing goals in the dying minutes against Panama to book their tickets, which shows their resolute mentality and strength. With the teams boasting the likes of Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Micheal Bradley, I expect them to make noises come next summer.

Costa Rica

Another team from the CONCAF region, the Costa Rica side finished second in the zone, four points behind US to book their tickets to Brazil 2014. They possess Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz among many who can pack a punch in the World Cup. They have been terrific at home, much like a fortress, which meant they could qualify for the World’s biggest stage. It’s wonderful to see the emergence of such a side and in big matches, anything can happen. Teams from this part of the World do deserve special attention.

Colombia

If there is anyone to thank Colombia’ participation for the next year’s World Cup, don’t just thank Radamel Falcao. Manager Jose Pekerman deserves lion share of the credit as well. Under him the team will certainly be tactically a good watch who press high up the pitch however keeping their defence in shape, albeit keeping seven clean sheets in qualifying. David Ospina their man in Goal has been a revelation while captain Mario Yepes and Christian Zapata have been the mainstay of the defence. Colombia have an enviable attacking department and are an impressive, collective defensive unit and of course one certain Radamel Falcao.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imagine the bylanes of Tuzla, Banja Luka, Zenica and of course Srajevo when the Country qualified for the FIFA World Cup last week. Full of attacking power and youthful exuberance expect them to light up the World Cup with their attacking style of play. With players like Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic, Senad Lulic and Emir Spahic expect them to light up the Samba land with their dazzling attacks and breath taking counter attacks.

Switzerland

When you have got someone like Otmar Hitzfeld at the helm expect calms and assurance oozing out of the squad. With the Napoli Duo in Valon Behrami and Gokhan Inler at the heart of the midfield with Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaquiri up front expect the Swiss to create waves. Being seeded will also help initially meaning they can avoid the big boys early on, but can they provide the sparks late into the Cup? Who knows!

This is Part one. You can read the second part here.