SHANE STAY
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About the Author
  • Where to Buy
  • Press

book excerpt: brazil in wc 2018

5/29/2018

 
The following is a book excerpt from The World Cup 2018 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Soccer World Cup.

BRAZIL

What to Watch for on TV—How Messi, Neymar, Kroos, and Others Play

Based on Rivaldo’s notorious flop near the corner flag in the 2002 World Cup, Brazil might forever be worthy of the “Top Flop Team” award…an honor Neymar’s team may want to stray away from.
   Over the years, every team in the world has been inspired by Brazil. Interestingly, in today’s game, Brazil is now caught in a position of keeping up with the pack, as one of the gods of world soccer. Since 2008, Spain and Germany have continued on a path of success in the modern era (even though Spain is likely returning to a path of normal). Now, somewhat lost by comparison, Brazil has to learn from these teams in an attempt to use tactics from the “new” refined European style (which relies on principles of sound possession to outwill an opponent), while redefining their “old” samba rhythm. 
   If Neymar and supporting staff are healthy, Brazil should have a huge impact on the tournament. Watch for quick, upbeat passing, with Neymar seeing plenty of the ball, exuding his dribbling prowess whenever he can, exploiting the sides while also turning into the middle, causing danger for opposing defenders. With Brazil, quick combination passes open up the wings for overlapping outside defenders who are chosen for their ability to attack down the line. If all these parts are operating at full-throttle, Brazil should be a handful for any opponent and a pleasure to watch.
 
Overall Team Rating: 9.2, bordering on 8.8
Despite Neymar and the successful World Cup qualification run making it appear as though Brazil is a solid 10, the samba beat struggled in the 2016 Copa America, and many lineup choices are not reflective of Brazil’s true artistic potential. For that reason, even though they’re a favorite to win the whole thing, they are a 9.2, slipping into the 8.8 range. 
Picture

things to do list

5/7/2018

 
After lunch, and definitely by 4pm, explain to John Oates that tonight is the very last night he can sleep in my car. 

tunisia: a world cup 2018 underdog

5/6/2018

 
Tunisia is an interesting underdog team for World Cup 2018, which begins next month in Russia. Here is a closer look at the north African side, a team with a lot of potential. 

An excerpt from The World Cup 2018 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Soccer World Cup...

TUNISIA
 
A Brief Team History
From 1930 to 1974, Tunisia didn’t compete in a World Cup. In 1978, they made their debut in Argentina, but didn’t get out of their group which consisted of Poland, West Germany, and Mexico. Their next World Cup was 1998, when they couldn’t get out of their group. The same occurred in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. 
            During the African World Cup qualification games—referred to as “Preliminary Competition” by FIFA—the Tunisians got first in their group, which consisted of Congo DR, Libya, and Guinea.
 
Other Competitions
Tunisia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. They won the Arab Nations Cup in 1963.
 
Facts About Their Country
Tunisia’s population is around 10.9 million people, with an estimated GDP of 42 billion. Tunisia’s most capped player is Radhi Jaidi, with 105. Celtia and Berber beer[ss1]  are likely to make the rounds during Tunisia’s games, as people back home watch their team try for an upset in Russia.
 
Where the Team Is Today—Tactics and Strategies
Tunisia plays some hybrid of a 4-3-3. By design, or accidentally, they sway around, often keeping players close together like swarming sharks while sometimes forming a defensive backline of five defenders. While in possession of the ball, they sometimes leave three defenders back—usually while they’re in possession—and then as things progress, it all takes the shape of a 4-3-3, more or less.
 
Nabil Maaloul—A Brief Coaching Portrait
Nabil Maaloul took the responsibility of coaching in 2017. He coached the team before in 2013, while also serving as an assistant in the past. The Tunisian-born Maaloul also coached Kuwait from 2014-2017. With Tunisia, he’s inherited an uphill task, taking the team on during the end of qualifications, only one year before the World Cup. His vision should be to keep the team operating at a skillful level, with a bit of improvement on their short passing combinations—which fits their style—before they hit their stride in World Cup action.
 
Key Players and Their Characteristics
(Mohamed Amine Ben Amor, Ahmed Akaichi, and Taha Yassine Khenissi)

Mohamed Amine Ben Amor is an able-footed midfielder who joined Tunisia in 2015. He plays sturdy and relentless, holding the fort with good passes and thoughtful play.

Ahmed Akaichi, born in 1989, is a forward who’s played with Tunisia since 2010. He’s a serviceable attacking player that will bring experience and leadership, which will be valuable for the success of Tunisia’s efforts on the big stage. 

​Taha Yassine Khenissi, born in 1992, is a forward with quick moves around the box and a mind for scoring. Since joining Tunisia in 2013, he’s contributed toward their success and will be an asset with the team in Russia.

FOR FURTHER DETAIL and analysis on all 32 teams of World Cup 2018, the key players, coaches, and more, buy The World Cup 2018 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Soccer World Cup. 


 


​



    Shane stay +   
    ​(archives)     

    May 2025
    March 2025
    December 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Author

    Shane Stay, author of This Is Our CITY, THE World Cup 2022 Book, THE World Cup 2018 Book.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    All Written Work Copyright   © 2014-2025 Shane Stay 
    KEY
    (NS) refers to "Non-Soccer" related blog entries, stories and essays, which may or may not appear. If you've read this far, you're probably not a robot. 

    CONTACT
    See PRESS Page
    .

Proudly powered by Weebly