World Cup 2014: Death group to take on the battle

ANKARA

Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica will compete against each other in Group D which is considered to be this World Cup's "death group" by sports pundits.

- Uruguay

Uruguay offer a blistering attack that includes Liverpool’s tricky forward Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s tireless Edison Cavani.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, semi-finalists Uruguay finshed fouth.

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco Da Gama), Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (West Bromwich Albion), Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Sebastian Coates (Nacional)

Midfielders: Egidio Arevalo Rios (Morelia), Walter Gargano (Parma), Diego Perez (Bologna), Alvaro Gonzalez (Lazio), Alvaro Pereira (Sao Paulo), Cristian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), Nicolas Lodeiro (Botafogo)

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Diego Forlan (Cerezo Osaka), Cristian Stuani (Espanyol), Abel Hernandez (Palermo)

Coach: Oscar Tabarez

- Costa Rica

The weakest team in this deathtrap of a group, Costa Rica will most likely need a miracle to reach the Round of 16. Still, opponents will need be wary of Olympiakos striker Joel Campbell.

Costa Rica did not qualify for 2010 FIFA World Cupheld in South Africa.

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Daniel Cambronero (Herediano)

Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana, Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolanos (Kopenhag), Esteban Granados, Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesunds), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga)

Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar)

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto

- England

According to pundits, Uruguay and Italy are the favorites to quality from the group but England hope their combination of experience and youthful exuberance will be the key to create a mini-upset. Established stars Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard will be present but manager Roy Hodgson counts on the additions of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere to step up to the international level.

In 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was organized in South Africa, England upset their fans by getting beaten 4-1 by their rivals Germany in the Round of 16.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ross Barkley (Everton)

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United)

Coach: Roy Hodgson

- Italy

Italy will hope to reproduce the team chemistry that saw them reach the finals at the 2012 Euro. Experienced figures like goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfield general Andrea Pirlo will provide Italy with experience, while the likes of AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli may be the one able to provide the touch of unpredictability that is needed to win these types of tournaments.

In the last World Cup tournament held in South Africa in 2010, Italy were eliminated in group stages.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Fixture of Group D is as follows:

June 14, Uruguay vs Costa Rica at 1900GMT

June 14, England vs Italy at 2200GMT

June 19, Uruguay vs England at 1900GMT

June 20, Italy vs Costa Rica at 1600GMT

June 24, Italy vs Uruguay at 1600GMT

June 24, Costa Rica vs England at 1600GMT

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