World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group C: Colombia, Greece, Cote d'Ivoire & Japan)

With less than 3 days til kick-off, we now turn our attention to one of the most culturally diverse groups in the competition, Group C

FYI: Every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which is a mash-up 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 continue with Group C: Colombia, Greece, Cote d'Ivoire & Japan

Colombia:
Looking for eternal sunshine? well Colombia is the only country in the world with just 1 season; Summer! so all you need is your bikini ;)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Team nickname: Los Cafeteros/ The coffee growers
- Team's golden era was the 1990's, making it as far as the R16 in Italy'90
- Playing style: Today's squad is fun to watch thanks to their fast pace & creative style
- Players to watch: Juan Cuadrado is a definite threat and James Rodriguez is the team's Talisman
- How far can they go: They were tapped as the Dark Horse of the games but without star player Falcao (due to injury), Rodriguez having trouble moving the ball against Tunisia in a friendly and recent goalkeeper errors, I'm afraid their dreams of getting past the R16 stage might become more of a nightmare. Colombia's luck falls thankfully on the fact that Group C isn’t much of a challenge for them, especially when playing on LatAm soil so the real test will be in the R16 against Italy or Uruguay & if there's anyone who can push a team to the QFs, it's Argentinean coach Jose Pekerman (his team thrashed Uruguay in their last match up)
- Lastly, here is one of Colombia's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Cristian Zapata's million dollar smile

__________

Greece : Watching the Ethniki play will be a welcome respite from all the turmoil Greece has been experiencing these past few years

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: The Ethniki
- Playing style: defensive football is Greece's strength especially at the goal posts but lately they’ve also garnered a bit of a name in set-pieces (free & corner kicks).
- Players to watch: Orestis (goalie), Sokratis
- How far can they go: The Greeks may have created the Olympics but it's clear football isn't their best sport. This is only the 3rd time they've made it to the WC (but never past the group stage) & it's the first time they aren't playing against Argentina & Nigeria (can you imagine their relief!) so they just might, maybe, hopefully, make it past the group stage if they can keep their defense super tight against an injured Colombia & succeed at a few strategic counter attacks but the forecast isn't sunny for Greece in brazil
- Lastly, here is one of Greece's most valuable players, for reference purposes ;)

Alexandros Tzorvas is always in the right place, at the right time

__________

Cote d'Ivoire :
Africa's strongest hope is Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). This time, they are being led by the youngest coach in the competition, former French player & sharp dresser Sabri Lamouchi who if successful in taking CdI to the Semis, will be laughing in France’s face for 2 reasons; 1) the colony has won against the colonialists & 2) it would be Lamouchi's sweet revenge after being left out of the winning 1998 French squad

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: Les Éléphants
- Players to watch: 2 of Africa's hero's; Drogba in his last WC & YaYa if he's fit enough
- Playing style: they're not called Les Elephants for nothing! a fun mix of pace, power & versatility
- How far can they go: Well their goal is the Semis but I think they might get stopped at the R16 against Uruguay or Italy due to spotty defense and an aging, unorganized squad
- Lastly, here is one of CdI's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Kalou wants to play

__________

Japan :
Land of the rising sun and hello kitty, Japan's football fans are in for a treat now that Adidas has added Pikachu to the fan jersey (adults $75/kids $42) but can Samurai Blue deliver on a Brazilian pitch?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: Japan does things a bit differently. They usually name the team after their coach so this time around they are called Zac's Japan (for Italian coach Zaccheroni) but they’re also known as Samurai Blue & Daihyō
- Players to watch: Keisuke Honda & Shinji Okazaki
- Playing style: extremely technical, razor-sharp passing or "Tiki-Taka on crack"
- How far can they go: They are the 5-time champs of the Asia Cup but I'm afraid the WC R16 might be a bit too far out of their reach this time due their weak defense
- Lastly, here is one of Japan's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Eiji Kawashima and his pecs