ANKARA
Group G of the 2014 FIFA World Cup can be considered as the second "death group." because, while Germany stands as the favorite among the four teams, Portugal, USA and Ghana make for a homogenous set of challengers.
- Germany
Germany were almost invincible during qualification and with a raft of stars they are regarded as one of the favorites to win the tournament. They will however be missing some important regulars like Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender and Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan. But, Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil are nothing to sneer at.
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Germany were knocked out of the tournament by champions Spain in the semifinals.
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Höwedes (Schalke 04), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Cristoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (UC Sampdoria), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Forward: Miroslav Klose (Lazio)
Coach: Joachim Löw
- Portugal
Managed by former international Paulo Bento, Portugal hope that Cristiano Ronaldo can lead them to glory. He will be accompanied by a strong defense and a creative midfield, including Monaco’s Joao Moutinho and Fenerbahce’s Raul Meireles.
In the last World Cup in 2010, Portugal were eliminated by the champions, Spain, in the Round of 16.
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia)
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Varela (Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Coach: Paulo Bento
- Ghana
This is the Ghana's third World Cup appearance. Their play is well-disciplined and they will rely on established players like striker Asamoah Gyan, and AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari.
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Ghana managed to reach quarterfinals only to be ousted by Uruguay.
Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Rashid Sumalia (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Olympique de Marseille), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan)
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke 04), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux)
Coach: Kwesi Appiah
- USA
The U.S. national team, managed by German legend Jurgen Klinsmann, is in a tough group but its industrious and athletic players might be able to force them through.
In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, USA was eliminated by Ghana in overtime in the Round of 16.
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Fixture of Group G is as follows:
June 16, Germany vs Portugal at 16:00 GMT
June 16, Ghana vs USA 22:00 GMT
June 21, Germany vs Ghana at 19:00 GMT
June 22, USA vs Portugal at 22:00 GMT
June 26, USA vs Germany at 16:00 GMT
June 26, Portugal vs Ghana at 16:00 GMT
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