Now it is time for some action in Brazil. The opening match is between Brazil and Kroatia later on today. I will watch this match from Sâo Paulo live today and I think the pressure is on Brazil and their new superstar Neymar.
Brazil`s GDP is 4,3% in 2014. In 2010 their GDP was 7,53%, and that`s pretty good. Despite that growth, many people in Brazil is poor. Brazil ranks 49,3 in the Gini coefficient index, with the richest 10% of Brazilians receiving 42,7% of the nation`s income, while the poorest 34% receive less than 1,2%!
Brazil has serious problems with crime and roughly 23,8 homicides per 100,000 residents, muggings, robberies, kidnappings and gang violence are common. Police brutality and corruption are widespread.
We will probably not see much of Brazil`s slums on TV during the World Cup 2014. Poverty in Brazil is most visually represented by the various favelas, slums in the country`s metropolitan areas and remote upcountry regions that suffer with economic underdevelopment and below-par standards of living. Many people in Brazil feel angry about the World Cup 2014, as they belive the Brazilian government should spend money on other things that a World Cup.
This is the dark side of Brazil right now. Brazil has a huge business opportunity, and are among the favorite country`s in the Emerging Markets sector. Let`s see the bright side and sing along with Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte and their hit song: WE ARE ONE!
Let`s talk about soccer. The dominant system in 2010 and 2012 was 4-2-3-1, and this will probably be the most utilised formation this time around too. There is a decent amount of variety across the 32 teams, and not everyone will deploy a four-man defence.
Jurgen Klinsmann has been experimenting with a diamond midfield system in order to get the best from the USA`s rampaging central midfielder Michael Bradley. Italy`s Cesare Prandelli could also use a diamond, or a 3-5-2 system, as the Italians remain the masters of tactical unpredictability. USA could be one of the most tactically distinct sides, with the use of a diamond.
Brazil`s Fred scored five goals in five games at the Confederations Cup last year. His role in Luiz Felipe Scolari`s side is to win aerial battles, hold up the ball and create space for Neymar, who cuts inside from the left. Neymar is Brazil`s new superstar and I really look forward to see him live on TV direct from Sâo Paulo later on today.
