Greece seek to chart new territory

A second consecutive appearance at the World Cup finals represents a huge success for a Greece side who have set their sights on going one step further than they did in South Africa and advancing past the group stage. Greece recorded their first victory and scored their first goals at the World Cup four years ago after an embarrassing maiden World Cup appearance in 1994, when they lost all three group games and conceded 10 goals without reply. For Greece coach Fernando Santos, who will leave his post after the World Cup, the target is clear. “The first aim of Greece is to advance and then we will see,” said the Portuguese, who also led the Euro 2004 champions to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals. Colombia need good Teo to show up With Radamel Falcao missing, Colombia need Teofilo Gutierrez to show the sparkling form he displayed in the qualifiers and shun an impetuous streak that led him to walk out on teams in Turkey, Argentina and Mexico. Gutierrez, who once pointed a realistic-looking toy gun at angry Racing Club team mates in the dressing room after being sent off, was a perfect foil to Falcao, scoring six goals as Colombia finished second in the South American qualifying group. Falcao was the man his country was banking on for success in their first finals since 1998 and he had struck up a good partnership with “Teo” under Argentine coach Jose Pekerman. “We hope to be able to be the surprise team. We also have a coach like Pekerman who knows a lot and with whom I enjoy playing football.” Defensive frailties hinder Japan’s Brazil ambitions Japan’s attacking flair and favourable draw have boosted belief they can reach a first World Cup quarter-final, but those ambitions rely on coach Alberto Zaccheroni being able to fix their leaky defence. The Asian champions have been paired with Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece in an even-looking Group C in Brazil, their fifth consecutive appearance at the finals. “If we can play to the best of our ability then we can be a threat. I am confident,” Italian Zaccheroni said after the draw in December. “Obviously getting off to a good start is important.” Japan made a quick start to qualifying and were the first side to book a berth in Brazil with playmakers Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda the architects of some silky play, but defensive issues were exposed along the way in a shock 2-1 loss in Jordan. It’s up to the players to deliver.