Group C Analysis

If there is an alternative to the proverbial Group of Death, then it would sit perfectly for this group. There is no Spain, Brazil or Germany, but the quality and hunger these four teams carry and live with are unrivalled. Any two team can progress to the next one.

Colombia, thanks to their superior ranking and the squad bustling with sheer quality, even without Radamel Falcao. Jose Pekerman can still opt for pace, artistry and finishing as he has got in disposal the likes of Jackson Martinez, Fredy Guarin, James Rodriguez, Christian Zapata, etc. With such a squad, Pekerman can hope to revive the Colombian football. Remember Carlos Valderrama, Faustino Asprilla and Rene Higuita, and they have a legacy.

Ivory Coast are one of the perennial under-achievers in the world football despite producing enough talent to survive a 32-team duel. The current crop of players, which include the Toure brothers, Didier Drogba, Wilfred Bony and Gervinho, should at least be able to negotiate the first round.

Like the Africans, Japan too possess enough talent to survive any group stage. Alberto Zaccheroni`s squad, riding on the European based star players like Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki, Atsuto Uchida has all the expertise and skill to be fighting for the knock-out stages in the World Cup. The Blue Samurai will still be the dark horse in this group, thanks to their Asian origin.

Greece, known for their defensive play, conceded only four goals during the qualification stage and they can endure any attacking force. Georgios Samaras, Georgios Karagounis and Konstantinos Mitroglou are no strangers to the world football and they can help any squad perform.

Favourite: Colombia

Dark Horse: Japan

Teams: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan