World Cup 2014: Your guide to Group C - Colombia; Ivory Coast; Greece; Japan
The lowdown on all the teams in Group C
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Your support makes all the difference.Fixtures (times BST):
June 14 Belo Horizonte, 1700: Colombia v Greece
June 14 Recife, 2300: Ivory Coast v Japan
June 19 Brasilia, 1700: Colombia v Ivory Coast
June 19 Natal, 2300: Japan v Greece
June 24 Cuiaba, 2100: Japan v Colombia
June 24 Fortaleza, 2100: Greece v Ivory Coast
Colombia
How they qualified
Conmebol runners-up behind Argentina.
Key player
James Rodriguez (Monaco)- Considered one of the best young midfielders in the world, Rodriguez will be fundamental to the success of Colombia and Falcao.
Dangerman
Radamel Falcao (Monaco)- The clinical forward is known around the world for his finishing prowess and goalscoring record. He could be the man to watch in the tournament.
World Cup best
Last 16 in 1990.
Premier League interest
Fulham’s Hugo Rodallega, though he has not scored an international goal in four years.
Most expensive
Falcao - £50m, from Atletico Madrid to Monaco, 2013
WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners
Ivory Coast
How they qualified
CAF Third Round Winners
World Cup best
Group stage.
Key player
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)-The dominant midfield figure of Yaya Toure has been a driving force for club and country.
Dangerman
Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) At Chelsea, Drogba was unstoppable, and the captain and talisman of The Elephants will be looking to display this same form in Brazil.
Premier League interest
Chieck Tiote, Wilfried Bony and Kolo Toure to name but a few. Plus Drogba and Gervinho are familiar names.
Most expensive
Drogba, Marseille to Chelsea, £24m, 2004
Greece
How they qualified
Beat Romania in play-off
Key player
Giorgos Samaras (Celtic)-The enigmatic Celtic striker shows flashes of brilliance, and Greece will be hoping he’ll produce more brilliance throughout the finals.
Dangerman
Kostas Mitrogloi (Olympiacos)- The striker has been grabbing the headlines in Greece for his brilliant performances of late. He’ll be the main attacking threat heading into Brazil next year.
World Cup best
Group stage
Premier League interest
Giorgos Karagounis of Fulham.
Most expensive
Georgios Seitaridis, from Dynamo Moscow to Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £10 million, 2006
Japan
How they qualified
AFC Fourth Round Group B winners, finishing ahead of Australia.
Key player
Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)- Despite producing mesmerising performances for Dortmund, Kagawa has had a stuttering career in Manchester so far. Japan will be hoping he can return to form in time for the World Cup.
Dangerman
Shinji Okazaki – Mainz 05 striker scored eight goals in the qualifying stage, and is Japan’s fourth-highest scorer of all-time with 35 goals.
World Cup best
Last 16 in 2002 and 2010.
Premier League interest
Southampton defender May Yoshida, United’s Kagawa.
Most expensive?
Hidetoshi Nakata - £19m, Roma to Parma, 2001
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