World Cup Preview - Part I: South America and Asia

EcuadorQualified: fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with 25 points from 16 gamesManager: Reinaldo Rueda

Rueda is the former coach of the Colombian under-20 side that finished third in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. The Colombian national also led the under-17 side to a fourth place finished at the U-17 World Cup in the same year. He took charge of the Ecuadorians in 2010 after a four-year spell with Honduras.

Outsiders to qualify, Rueda has fashioned his squad of local and internationally based players into a fine outfit, especially at home. Captained by United’s Antonio Valenica, Ecuador finished the CONMEBOL campaign without losing in Quito, dropping points only to Argentina along the way. There is little pressure on La Tri to reach the latter stages in Brazil, although any progress beyond the second round will improve on Ecuador’s performances in 2002 and 2006.

United connection: Valencia will lead Ecuador at the 2014 tournament from a central midfield position. The flying winger was deeply effected by the death of friend and former team-mate Christian Benitez, whose number 11 shirt has now been retired.

UruguayQualified: via a play-off after finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL group with 25 points from 16 gamesManager: Óscar Tabárez

Veteran coach Tabárez is in his second spell in charge of the national team and took the Uruguayans to fourth place in the 2010 World Cup, which was followed by victory in Copa America the following year. Tabárez has managed in Argentina, Colombia and Italy over an extensive career.

Tabárez’ outfit was forced to qualify via a one-sided international play-off against Jordan after finishing the CONMEBOL tournament in fifth place. It was quite a comedown for Los Charrúas who performed so well at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. There is plenty of talent at Tabarez’ disposal, with Liverpool’s Luis Suárez joining Edinson Cavani in a potent attacking pairing. Gastón Ramírez, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Rodríguez and Walter Gargano add genuine quality in midfield.

United connection: former United striker Diego Forlán will make Los Charrúas‘ squad for Brazil, although he is likely to start the tournament on the bench with Suárez and Cavani the prefered attacking duo.

Tim Cahill

AustraliaQualified: second in Group B, behind JapanManager: Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou was born in Athens, emigrating to Australia at the age of five. He enjoyed a modest playing career, before achieving greater success managing the young Socceroos, Brisbane Roar, and latterly Melbourne Victory.

This isn’t the finest Socceroos side to grace the World Cup, although qualification through the Asian tournament was achieved with just two defeats across 14 matches. With a world ranking of 57, there is little expectation that Australia will progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

Still, there should be plenty of experience in the squad, with Lucas Neill, former Rangers midfielder Matt McKay, Crystal Palace player Mile Jedinak, veteran Mark Bresciano, and New York Red Bulls star Tim Cahill all likely to make the squad. The attack will be led by former Everton midfielder Cahill and Japan-based striker Joshua Kennedy.

United connection: United’s only ever Australian player, Mark Bosnich, played 38 games for the Reds across two spells with the club. Bosnich was later sacked by Chelsea for taking cocaine, yet took umbridge to Sir Alex Ferguson’s accusation of lack of professionalism in the Scot’s recent autobiography.

IranQualified: top of Asia Group A, ahead of South KoreaManager: Carlos Queiroz

The much-travelled Queiroz took control of Iran in April 2011 after a traumatic spell with Portugal, which included a difficult qualifying campaign for World Cup 2010 and eventual defeat to Spain in the second round.

Queiroz has fashioned a robust Iranian side, which qualified comfortably ahead of the more fancied Koreans, but struggled to score goals in the second phase of the Asian tournament. Captain Javad Nekounam is the team’s creative heart, while Spanish-based Masoud Shojaei adds quality to Queiroz’ side. Iran will look to striker Karim Ansarifard to score the goals that will take the side beyond the group stages for the first time.

United connection: Queiroz had two fine spells at Old Trafford as Sir Alex’ assistant. Often criticised for his defensive tactical leanings, Queiroz added more than a little European know-how to United’s approach. A vital cog in the Reds’ 2008 Champions League victory.

JapanQualified: top of Asia Group B, ahead of AustraliaManager: Alberto Zaccheroni

Veteran Zaccheroni has enjoyed a fine management career across the club and international game. The Italian secured a Serie A title with Milan in the late 1990s, together with the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 and the EAFF East Asian Cup last season. He has also managed Lazio, Inter, and Juventus.

Japan qualified with ease in the end, losing three matches across 14 in the Asia tournament. Yet, Zaccheroni’s side started slowly in securing just 10 points from a possible 18 in the first phase to fall behind Uzbekistan. However, the team grew markedly in confidence over the two-year qualifying campaign, adjusting to the Italian’s notoriously unconventional 3-4-3 system to make best use of attacking talents Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki, Yasuhito Endo and talisman Keisuke Honda.

United connection: Kagawa will start the tournament in a loose left-sided attacking role that contains none of the defensive restrictions placed on the playmaker by United manager Moyes. Still, Kagawa has complained that his international chances are being hampered by a less-than-regular starting spot with the Reds.

South KoreaQualified: as hostsManager: Hong Myung-bo

Former player Hong took charge of the Red Devils in June after the departure of Choi Kang-Hee. Hong earned 136 international caps in a stellar career, before taking charge of South Korean teams at the under-20 and under-23 levels.

Perennial qualifiers South Korea suffered a most traumatic road to the World Cup, finishing behind Iran Asia Group A after a poor campaign. Defeat to Lebanon in the penultimate second phase match left the Koreans needing to beat tiny Kuwait to progress in the Asian tournament at all. The campaign eventually cost Choi his job and Korea’s World Cup place was only sealed on goal difference from Uzbekistan.

Much will rest on striker and captain Park Chuyoung, while in midfield Bolton Wanderers’ Lee Chungyong is a fixture on the right flank.

United connection: Park Ji-Sung has long since retired from the national team, although the former Red gained exactly 100 caps. Park appeared at the World Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2010.