Five lesser known players who could spring a surprise in World Cup 2014

Keisuke Honda (Japan)

A prolific midfielder who will turn 28 soon before Japan kick-off their Brazil 2014 campaign, he dazzled for CSKA Moscow in the deep waters of the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League which shot him to fame and is now all set to join A.C Milan. In World Cup 2010, his most impressive show came against Denmark in the final group match where he scored one audacious Ronaldo-esque 35-yard free kick and brilliantly set up the final goal in a 3-1 rout. With this, Keisuke not only made sure his nation qualified for the next stage but also had fans over the world purring over his brilliant performance.

His show in the pre-quarters which Japan lost to Paraguay in heart-breaking fashion on penalties also came in for a lot of praise for his exploiting and attacking nature. Looking to go past the ghosts of 2010, Japan recently qualified for the 2014 World Cup after drawing 1-1 with Australia on Tuesday, thanks to Honda’s penalty kick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time and the country would be hoping he can replicate his performances in the mega event next year as well.