A chance to redeem pride

With the Fifa World Cup just round the corner and all the 32 teams are eager to put their best foot forward to the coveted title, the one month long extravaganza, considered perhaps the biggest after Olympics is surely going to garner lot of attentions all around the globe.

But sadly for soccer lovers many of the great giants like England’s David Becham, Brazil star Ronaldinho, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast , Miguel Sabah of Mexico and most recently Rio Ferdinand who was about to lead England in Becham’s absence will be missed in action. Germany has the hardest of luck since it’s also going to miss both Michael Ballack and it’s star goalkeeper Rene Adler owing to injuries. Ronaldinho however missed the bus as he was not selected in this year’s WC squad by the national team’s coach.

May be with the injuries to key players, the spirits of several team may be dampen but it’s also going to give opportunities to several youngsters to curve their niche in the mega event.

Germany may miss out players like Michael Ballack but likes of Sami Khedira and Piotr Trochowski. Trochowski has a considerable advantage in the experience department. Sami Khedira also had a great season to perform for the team.

Netherland’s Wesley Sneijder has proven track record with the national team. alongside Mark Van Bommel, Rafael Van Der Vaart, and Nigel De Jong will certainly make Dutch team’s midfield a force to reckon with.

Having won Copa America in 2007 and Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009 and also Champions League earlier this year Brazil is certainly the clear favourites once again. Brazil’s is in G group which is being considered as the "Group of Death," which includes Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea. In the last World Cup, Brazil did not have a mental preparation and a winning attitude. However, this time for South Africa 2010, Brazil have a new coach whose mentality seems much stronger than before.

Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona has lot to proof this year. He has already declared his team as better than his world Cup winning team in 1986, which he lead during his side’s title win in Mexico. Maradona will is going to have most talented sides and players of our generation — the likes of Lionel Messi, and Gonzalo Higuain, whose 27 goals for Real Madrid came behind only Messi in the Spanish league this season. Only a month ago England's manager Fabio Capello singled out the Argentina side as the "most talented" in the 32-nation tournament.

England’s Wayne Rooney has lot of task in hand owing to the absence of star players like David Becham and Ferdinand, making the side look vulnerable this time. He is the will go all out to shine for England this time as all hopes rest on him now. Alex Ferguson has already declared him to be the best footballer for England for thirty years and is already the fourth best paid player in football history.

Fan’s are waiting in anticipation to find not only which side will lift this years World Cup trophy but also the golden boot award. Even if some players are missing in action, this World Cup keepers the soccer followers with their fingers crossed and keep them entertaining.