BRAZIL (BRA)

Founded: 1914

Affiliated: 1923

Defending champions set to crush opposition

The problems experienced in qualifying for Korea-Japan 2002 soon became a distant memory for mighty Brazil as they powered to their fifth World Cup triumph. The Seleção followed that up with success in the 2004 Copa America and the 2005 Confederations Cup, and also came out on top in the South American qualifying group for the finals. That clean sweep sees the Brazilians rightly installed as favourites. Brazil are the only team to have qualified for every single World Cup.

Despite having to come through qualifying to defend their crown — the first holders to enjoy this dubious distinction — Brazil amassed some very impressive statistics. They finished with 34 points — four more than they picked up last time around — recording nine wins, seven draws and just two defeats.

With appearances in the last three finals and five world titles to their name, the Seleção are the most successful team in the competition’s history. Dida provides security between the posts, and Parreira can call on the likes of Cafu, Cicinho, Juan, Lucio and Roberto Carlos to shape a defence that is uncompromising, rapid and resourceful. The side boasts an almost priceless array of thoroughbred talent in the form of Juninho Pernambucano, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo, who will have his sights set on becoming the leading scorer in the history of the World Cup when he goes to Germany.

At a glance

87 played, 60 won, 14 drawn, 13 lost, 191 goals scored, 82 goals conceded

Finals appearances

1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 (Only nation to have featured in all finals and won the Cup five times)

Performance

Champions — 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Runners-up — 1950, 1998
Third — 1938, 1978 Fourth — 1974 Quarter finalist — 1954, 1986 Second round — 1982, 1990 l First round — 1930, 1934, 1966 (Hold team record for longest unbeaten run - 13 matches, 1958 to first round of 1966)

Biggest victory

7-1 — vs Sweden in 1950 (Hold team record for most goals in one finals - 22 in 6 matches, 1950)

Top scorer

Pele and Ronaldo (including 8 in 2002) — 12 goals each

Champion as player and coach

Mario Zagallo — Won Cup as player in 1958 and 1962, as coach in 1970

In 2002 World Cup

7 played, 7 won, 18 goals scored, 4 goals conceded

Emerged champions beating Germany 2-0

CROATIA (CRO)

Founded: 1912

Affiliated: 1992

Quest for success under Kranjcar

Croatia reached their third successive World Cup finals by finishing top of European qualifying group VIII, undefeated and with seven wins in ten matches.

The most notable of these victories came against Sweden, their main rivals in the section who achieved the same points total but lost home and away to Zlatko Kranjcar’s side. Croatia played their first World Cup finals in France. The result was a thrilling run to the semi-finals — which included a 3-0 quarter final victory over Germany — before where they lost to France. There was some consolation with a 2-1 win against the Netherlands in the play-off for third place, where Suker struck his seventh goal to secure the Golden Shoe.

Four years later, the Croatians’ second finals adventure was not so successful, resulting in a first-round exit. Under Jozic’s successor, Otto Baric, Croatia reached the Euro 2004 finals, but again exited at the group stage. Hence the appointment of Kranjcar.

The likes of Igor Tudor and brothers Niko and Robert Kovac bring experience while wing-backs Srna — who scored four goals in qualifying — and Marko Babic provide a genuine attacking threat, delivering a quality service to star striker Dado Prso, Croatia’s five-goal top scorer in their campaign.

At a glance

10 played, 6 won, 4 lost, 13 goals scored, 8 goals conceded

Finals appearances

1998, 2002

Performance

Third — 1998 First round — 2002
(Created a sensation by finishing third on their finals debut after beating fancied teams like Germany and Holland)

Biggest victory

3-0 — vs Germany in 1998

Top scorer

Davor Suker — 6 goals

In 2002 World Cup

3 played, 1 won, 2 lost, 2 goals scored, 3 goals conceded

Eliminated from group league stage

AUSTRALIA (AUS)

Founded: 1961

Affiliated: 1963

Hiddink’s magic works again for Australia

For Australia, the long wait is over. After 32 years, the Socceroos will return to Germany — scene of their one previous World Cup finals appearance in 1974 — for the 2006 edition of the tournament after beating Uruguay 4-2 on penalties in the second leg of the intercontinental play-off at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.

Substitute John Aloisi converted the decisive spot-kick to send them through after goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had produced superb saves to deny Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta, as Australia finally savoured success in a play-off after four previous failures.

Trailing 0-1 from the first leg, Marco Bresciano had drawn Australia level on aggregate with a 34th-minute goal before Guus Hiddink’s side held their nerve in the climactic shoot-out to book their ticket to Germany.

The play-off to decide who would meet South America’s fourth-placed side for a place in Germany was also a formality as they defeated the Solomon Islands 9-1 over two legs to set up the decisive match with Uruguay.

Australia’s qualification triumph is another landmark for their Dutch coach Hiddink. Brought on board last summer, following the departure of Frank Farina, the man who led Korea Republic to the semi-finals of the last World Cup has produced another act of alchemy, helping Australian football erase the pain of previous play-off defeats in 1985, 1993, 1997 and 2001.

England is the preferred destination for the vast majority of the stars of the Socceroos’ qualifying campaign with Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka, Craig Moore, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton all currently playing in the Premier League. Aloisi and Bresciano are in Spain and Italy, respectively.

For the fans, bittersweet memories of 1974 will be evoked. On that occasion Australia met Chile, East German and West Germany in the group stages — and failed to score a single goal. With Hiddink at the helm, hopes are high. With one dream already realised, another is just beginning for Australia.

At a glance

3 played, 1 drawn, 2 lost, no goal scored, 5 goals conceded

Finals appearance

1974

Performance

First round — 1974

JAPAN (JPN)

Founded: 1921

Affiliated: 1929

Japan’s future is now

Despite some inconsistent performances along the way, Japan ultimately showed their class as Asian champions when they became the first team to book their passage to the World Cup aside from hosts Germany.

Germany will be Japan’s third successive World Cup finals. They missed out on USA ’94 through a dramatic last-minute Iraqi equaliser in Doha, before finally making their World Cup finals debut at France ’98. Eliminated in the first round there, they reached the second round on home soil in 2002 under Frenchman Philippe Troussier.

After replacing Troussier in 2002, Zico guided an under-strength Japan side to the AFC Asian Cup in 2004, beating hosts China 3-1 in the final. Japan have arguably Asia’s most formidable midfield line-up in the Europe-based trio of Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Shinji Ono, and Kashima Antlers’ set-piece specialist Mitsuo Ogasawara.

Two-time Asian Player of the Year Nakata is probably the best footballer Japan have ever produced, but Nakamura is now considered the player to pull the strings. Comparing their midfield options, Japan have limited power in attack although Gamba Osaka marksman Oguro emerged last year to score some vital goals in qualifying and at the Confederations Cup.

At a glance

7 played, 2 won, 1 drawn, 4 lost, 6 goals scored, 7 goals conceded

Finals appearances

1998, 2002

Performance

Pre-quarter finals — 2002 l First round — 1998

Biggest victory

2-0 — vs Tunisia in 2002

Top scorer

Junichi Inamoto — 2 goals

In 2002 World Cup

4 played, 2 won, 1 drawn, 1 lost, 5 goals scored, 3 goals conceded

Lost in pre-quarter finals to Turkey

fifaworldcup.com and Hari Prasad Chattopadhyay