By Ebenezer Zor
Elsewhere, in what looks like a group of death, the defending champions, Spain are paired in GROUP B with the Clockwork Orange of Netherlands, who were 
runners-up in South Africa 2010, the La Roja of Chile and the Socceroos?of Australia will be making the fourth appearances. The tormentor-in -chief of the previous tournaments, Spain in its fourteenth appearances at the world stage will be coming in stronger this year to defend their trophy. But will face a stiff competition from a well-composed three times finalist (1974,1978, 2010) Netherlands side making their ninth appearances will aim at the ultimate. Chile will be appearing in this tournament for the ninth time and would like to improve upon their 1962 third place performance.
Where Group B matches to be played.
Date???? Time ?????????Match 3?????????????????? Venue
13/6/14 16:00?? Spain V Netherlands?? Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Match 4
13/6/14 19:00 Chile V Australia???????????? Arena Pantanal, Cuiab?
Match 20
18/6/14 13:00 Australia V Netherlands Est?dio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
Match 19
18/6/14 16:00 Spain V Chile – Est?dio do Maracan?, Rio de Janeiro
Match 35
23/6/1413:00 Australia V Spain – Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Match 36
23/6/14 13:00 Netherlands V Chile – Arena de S?o Paulo, S?o Paulo
PREDICTION: Having played Spain in the grand finale of 2010 FIFA World cup in South Africa, the Netherlands team is one of the favourite, thanks largely to the astute management of Louis van Gaal. The ex- Nether land Star has a renewed sense of purpose but the biggest question seem to be whether or not the strikers have enough goals in them to carry Netherland beyond the group stage which is possible. Louis van Gaal now faces the hardest task guiding his team and countries to their tenth World Cup .How far will Australia go? Not many will be surprise if they are on the first plane home, but it would be unwise to write them off completely. You can never say Australians are not contenders to win the World Cup, but the bottom line is that they will have to play to their ability to deny both Netherlands and Chile.
