Football forecasts from afar

Football forecasts from afar

The World Cup has begun. Life talked with four foreigners who coach in the Thai League about their home countries' chances of winning it all

Brazilian coach Alexandre Gama. Photo © Chiang Rai United

Name: Alexandre Torreira da Gama Lima (Coach Gama)

Age: 50

Nationality: Brazilian

City of birth: Rio de Janeiro

Coaching Thai club: Chaing Rai United

Favourite club: Fluminense

Favourite coach: Tele Santana (Brazil national coach from 1982-86)

Expect Brazil to reach: Final

Favourites to win World Cup 2018: Brazil, Germany, France

The Brazilian national team, which finished fourth place behind winner Germany and runners-up Argentina and the Netherlands at the Fifa World Cup Brazil four years ago, are again one of the favourites for the World Cup 2018. This time, Alexandre Torreira da Gama Lima believes his national squad will go all-out to salvage its reputation and win the coveted trophy in Russia.

"Brazil's nightmarish performance in the semi-finals against Germany, when they were trounced 7-1, is a thing of the past," said the coach, who has been with Chiang Rai United for a year-and-a-half. Prior to that he was with Buriram United for two years.

"After being thrashed by Germany in the semi-finals and losing to the Netherlands 3-0, the Brazilian football management was given a complete overhaul to start our quest for victory at the World Cup meet in Russia.

"Under the coaching leadership of the very experienced Tite [Adenor Leonardo Bacchi], we have a very competent team of both old and new players, that have shown tremendous promise in the last two years. Tite has an impressive history in managing clubs mostly in Brazil since the early 90s.

"Now Brazil is believed to be playing some of their best football since they captured their last World Cup title back in 2002. Many say Brazil have regained their elite status under Tite, who not only brought flair back into their game but also a pragmatic approach when called on in tough matches."

Gama believes that while Brazilian fans will still be anticipating Neymar, who has been injury-prone, to lead the onslaught, there is young blood to watch out for, such as Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Hamburg's Walace Souza Silva. Also in the fray will be the likes of Cassio (Flamengo), Miranda (Inter Milan) and Marquinhos (PSG). He believes there will only be around four veteran players, while the rest will be new.

On Brazil's game plan, Gama said that as in the past the emphasis has been more on attacking. He believes the shift will include a more solid defence and mixed tactics that should put their challengers on the back foot.

Asked to name a couple of dark-horse teams during the run-up to the final, the veteran coach said that Belgium and Egypt have an outside chance to create an upset match along the way, but nothing big enough to create a major upset, as the talent, skills and desire to win matches at this World Cup will be phenomenal.

And what does Brazil need to win the tournament? "They will need to not just play cautiously but have good concentration during the game. Our players need to be emotionally strong to weather the pressure put on them, especially after one of the most embarrassing defeats they encountered against Germany four years ago."

German coach Dennis Amato. Photo © CNHB

Name: Dennis Amato

Age: 37

Nationality: German

City of birth: Ludwigshafen

Coaching Thai club: Chainat Hornbill FC

Favourite club: Bayern Munich

Favourite coach: Jürgen Klopp

Expect Germany to reach: Semi-finals

Favourites to win World Cup 2018: France, Germany, Belgium

Germany is looking in a solid position to retain its World Champion title as it enters the 2018 Fifa World Cup, remarked coach Dennis Amato of Chainat Hornbill FC.

"I believe the German team has prepared well in the last four years. They have a number of old players that competed in the previous World Cup, which is a big plus. The players have also matured in both their game and character.

"What could jeopardise their success now is starting the tournament on shaky ground. They need to open their account at the World Cup on a high note; otherwise it will be very difficult for them to find their rhythm and style in the later rounds.

"In a recent game against Austria, Germany lost 2-1. This was not a perfect start to the World Cup. However, what it signified was that Germany cannot afford to become complacent when it comes to competing against underdog nations. This World Cup will be exceptionally competitive because the skill, talent and determination needed to win are going to be equally balanced," remarked Amato.

If there is one country that has the capability of creating an upset during the tournament, it is Belgium, noted the Chainat FC coach. As for the African nations, Amato said that while they are very strong players, when it comes to the tactical part of the game, coupled with playing under pressure in the later stages of the tournament, they don't necessarily do well.

Amato said that under the supervision of coach Joachim Löw, German players should be able to rise to the occasion, because he has been the head coach for over a decade and knows what it takes to give one's opponent a run for its money.

Sharing his thoughts on Löw, Amato said: "I think Joachim has done a really good job with the team -- he is straightforward and decisive. I am also happy with the roster of players he has picked. It will be interesting to see how his game plan unfolds on the pitch in the first match, which sees Germany start their World Cup defence against Mexico [on June 17].

"From one to 10, I would rank him a nine, as there is always room for improvement. He has a lot of experience -- he has coached club teams -- and for many years the national team. Germany has the right guy to complete the job."

Amato said that, at the last World Cup, what drove the German players to excellence was their hunger and determination to win the trophy, especially in the finals, when, despite being injured, players continued to perform at their peak.

"Four years ago we did not have the technical football skills of the likes of France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil, but we had our typical German attitude of fighting to the very end that paid off handsomely.

"While we have caught up with the technical game today, competing in Russia will be a different ball game altogether, because there are so many good teams."

Japanese coach Sugao Kambe. Photo © Ubon UMT United F.C.

Name: Sugao Kambe

Age: 56

Nationality: Japanese

City of birth: Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Coaching Thai club: Ubon UMT United

Favourite Club: JEF United (J2)

Favourite coach: Josep "Pep" Guardiola

Expect Japan to reach: Round of 16

Favourites to win World Cup 2018: Brazil and Germany

When Japan plays at the World Cup, they carry a burden of expectation to deliver not just for their Japanese fans but football enthusiasts from all of Asia, says coach Sugao Kambe.

Despite putting on an entertaining performance four years ago, results were underwhelming: They drew 0-0 to Greece, lost to Cote d' Ivoire 2-1 and crashed out with a 4-1 loss to Columbia.

Four years on the Japanese squad have upped their performance, and one can expect better results, said Kambe. The audience will be entertained by their trademark passing and pace. Under the supervision of local head coach Akira Nishino, fingers are crossed that Japan is able to reach the round of 16.

Kambe said that despite Japan's soccer association, the JFA, having sacked head coach Vahid Halilhodžic with just over two months to go until the Russia 2018 World Cup, and replaced him with Nishino, the players should be able to pull through, as over half the team has ample experience playing in European leagues.

Japan qualified for the 2018 World Cup after finishing at the top of its group, which also included World Cup finalists Saudi Arabia and Australia. Since then, Kambe said, their performance has not been that impressive, but he is hopeful that when push comes to shove, they will be able to get their act together.

Kambe said that winning the first two matches will offer a confidence boost for Japan to reach the later stages of the tournament. There are definitely odds stacked against them, he quipped, but prefers to look on the positive side.

"I would say the players and coach we have today gives reason for me to remain optimistic of our chances in Russia," said Kambe.

"Our squad consists of key players who have had sizeable match experience in international leagues in Europe. Coupled with Nishino's experience [he has been credited for helping win the AFC Asian Champions' League in 2008], this has given birth to a competent team that will compete each match with a positive mindset that will help them to play competitive football.

"Japan was handed a relatively kind draw for Russia 2018, without having to face heavyweights like Germany and Brazil, but I know the nagging [concern] still remains that without time to prepare properly, Japan will require Nishino to be a magician to have a chance of reaching the World Cup knockout stages. As a Japan team supporter, all I can do is remain confident for a positive outcome."

Nigerian coach Adebayo Gbadebo. Photo © Suphan Buri FC

Name: Adebayo Gbadebo

Age: 44

Nationality: Nigerian

City of birth: Lagos

Coaching Thai club: Suphan Buri FC

Favourite coach: James Peters

Favourite club: Chelsea and Barcelona

Expect Nigeria to reach: Round of 16

Favourites to win World Cup 2018: Germany, Brazil, Spain, France

While the chances of the Nigerian national football team reaching the second round of 2018 World Cup are rather slim, the players are mentally strong and determined to fight till the last whistle, which could boost their chances of victory, said Adebayo Gbadebo, who has managed Suphan Buri for seven years.

"We have a team made up of largely young players and some old, who have not played together.

"The Nigerian national team has changed drastically since the last World Cup. Today the team does not consist of players who have been together since the junior national team. Today we have players who have come together from all over Europe. In the past, the goalkeeper was always very good -- the backbone of the team -- and we could rely on our defence to do a good job. Having said this, our guys today are very ambitious, and so can pull a surprise, making them one of the most dangerous nations in terms of creating an upset," said Gbadebo.

He said Nigerians have the capability of pulling a surprise.

"At this stage of the tournament, we cannot focus on what we don't have. We have to take it a game at a time. They might not look like a strong team, but I know they have the motivation to prove otherwise."

At the last World Cup, they drew 0-0 with Iran, won their second match against Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0, lost 2-3 to Argentina and 2-0 to France.

Nigeria was the first African team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, pulling off an unbeaten run against strong competition from Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria.

The three-time African champions will open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 16, before taking on Argentina and Iceland in Group D.

On Nigeria's German coach, Gernot Rohr, who is credited with restoring confidence in the team following the post-2014 turmoil that saw the national side take on five coaches in two years, Gbadebo said that being picked to lead the team in a World Cup in itself shows the man is up for the job.

"Rohr has a number of talented players to work with, so it will be interesting to observe the player selection. Being a seasoned coach who has worked in Africa for a while, he knows how to make the most of the strength of his players. The coach will be buoyed by the return of Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who had been out with a hamstring injury.

"His confidence runs high, so as a coach myself I can only wish him the very best."

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