World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group A: BRAZIL)

Football just isn't on the average woman’s radar. Sure, some women will watch a few world cup matches but outside of those games, the idea of watching football, for most women, is equivalent to watching paint dry.

So what better way to get in to the spirit of international football than by exposing the muscle behind the sport (along with some pertinent info, of course!). Ladies, consider this your official World Cup cheat-sheet. Use it wisely, talent scouts!

Every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which will consist of 1) the team's playing style, 2) my opinion on their chances of moving forward at the World Cup, 3) some team stats, 4) top plays, 5) names of vital players, 6)stories from the frontline, and most importantly, I'll showcase each team's most "valuable" player(s). Please feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section

So let's get things started with Group A

NOTE: The first round, or group stage, sees thirty-two teams divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A through H). Each team plays against every team in their group (ex: brazil will play 1 match vs MEX/CRO/CAM). Teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 for a defeat. The teams finishing first and second in each group go on to qualify for the Round of 16. With this info, try & see if you can predict the final 2 teams!

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Cameroon & Croatia
The opening match on June 12 will see the hosts, Brazil, play against Croatia in Sao Paulo

BRAZIL:
What can you say about Brazil?! A land of beautiful landscapes, people, music and for most Brazilians, a need to feed on the national sport: Futebol. There's definitely more to Brazil than these few things but this is about the World Cup so lets stick to the beautiful game

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Top world cup winners (5 times. the national jersey has 5 stars above the chest patch)
- The only team to succeed in qualifying for every World Cup.
- Playing style: skillful, creative, free-flowing, fast-paced (exception: 2010 World Cup; a new pragmatic, defensive style saw them get kicked out of the quarter finals after a sad loss to the Dutch. Obrigado Dunga! luckily they've reverted back to the sexy samba style they're known for)
- Players to watch: Brazil has some of the best players in the world but for this cheat sheet stick to: Thiago, Oscar and of course Neymar, the Golden Child. Pele sees Neymar as the next "greatest player in the world"
-How far can they go: all the way to the final but surely at least to the Semis especially since they're playing at home with the fantastic Julio Cesar as their goalkeeper
- Lastly, here are a few of Brazil's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Hulk (Givanildo), Julio Cesar & Dante