• Robin van Persie, striker (Manchester United); Age 30; 82 caps. Scored 11 goals in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, breaking the overall Dutch scoring record in the process by taking his tally to 41 - exactly one goal every two games for his country. Captain of the national team since last year and enjoys a close relationship with coach Van Gaal. Controversially moved from Arsenal to Manchester United to win trophies and took the league in his first season but has suffered only disappointment and injury in the current campaign, the highlight being his hat-trick against Olympiakos in the Champions League. Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images
    Robin van Persie, striker (Manchester United); Age 30; 82 caps. Scored 11 goals in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, breaking the overall Dutch scoring record in the process by taking his tally to 41 - exactly one goal every two games for his country. Captain of the national team since last year and enjoys a close relationship with coach Van Gaal. Controversially moved from Arsenal to Manchester United to win trophies and took the league in his first season but has suffered only disappointment and injury in the current campaign, the highlight being his hat-trick against Olympiakos in the Champions League. Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images
  • Diego Costa, striker (Atletico Madrid); Age 25; 1 cap. Raised hackles in his native Brazil when he chose to play for adopted country Spain, decision that can only benefit world and European champions. Tall, quick and strong and always a prickly customer, can shoot with either foot and should be valuable new weapon in Del Bosque’s armoury. Susana Vera / Reuters
    Diego Costa, striker (Atletico Madrid); Age 25; 1 cap. Raised hackles in his native Brazil when he chose to play for adopted country Spain, decision that can only benefit world and European champions. Tall, quick and strong and always a prickly customer, can shoot with either foot and should be valuable new weapon in Del Bosque’s armoury. Susana Vera / Reuters
  • Alexis Sanchez, forward (Barcelona); Age 26; 65 caps. A fundamental part of the Chile team, his spicy dribbling is a constant danger to rival defenders. He gives Chile an enviable power of goals and explosive attack. “El Nino Maravilla” (Wonder Boy) has curbed his diving for which he was heavily criticised. Scored a double at Wembley in November and leapfrogged fellow forward Humberto Suazo into fifth place in the list of all time top-scorers for Chile with 22 goals, 15 short of Marcelo Salas. Scored one of the goals of the year for Barca in their final La Liga match of the season against Atletico Madrid. Alastair Grant / AP
    Alexis Sanchez, forward (Barcelona); Age 26; 65 caps. A fundamental part of the Chile team, his spicy dribbling is a constant danger to rival defenders. He gives Chile an enviable power of goals and explosive attack. “El Nino Maravilla” (Wonder Boy) has curbed his diving for which he was heavily criticised. Scored a double at Wembley in November and leapfrogged fellow forward Humberto Suazo into fifth place in the list of all time top-scorers for Chile with 22 goals, 15 short of Marcelo Salas. Scored one of the goals of the year for Barca in their final La Liga match of the season against Atletico Madrid. Alastair Grant / AP
  • Tim Cahill, midfielder (New York Red Bulls); Age 34; 67 caps. Never had much pace to lose so his effectiveness looks undiminished by age. Always an aerial threat despite his modest height, he still manages to escape his markers and get above much taller defenders. Australia’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals and, his country will be hoping, an inspiration to younger players. Howard Burditt / Reuters
    Tim Cahill, midfielder (New York Red Bulls); Age 34; 67 caps. Never had much pace to lose so his effectiveness looks undiminished by age. Always an aerial threat despite his modest height, he still manages to escape his markers and get above much taller defenders. Australia’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals and, his country will be hoping, an inspiration to younger players. Howard Burditt / Reuters
  • Arturo Vidal (Juventus) Age 27; 53 caps. “El Rey Arturo” (King Arthur) is one of the world’s best midfielders. After three years at Colo Colo, he embarked on a rising career in Europe, first with Bayer Leverkusen and now Juventus. Has defensive skills, is a good header, lays on goals and has scored eight for Chile. On home visits he usually enjoys his other passion: the racetrack. He owns more than 15 horses. Carlos Parra / ANFP / AFP
    Arturo Vidal (Juventus) Age 27; 53 caps. “El Rey Arturo” (King Arthur) is one of the world’s best midfielders. After three years at Colo Colo, he embarked on a rising career in Europe, first with Bayer Leverkusen and now Juventus. Has defensive skills, is a good header, lays on goals and has scored eight for Chile. On home visits he usually enjoys his other passion: the racetrack. He owns more than 15 horses. Carlos Parra / ANFP / AFP
  • Arjen Robben, winger (Bayern Munich); Age 30; 73 caps. Denied by the outstretched leg of Iker Casillas from handing the Dutch the World Cup four years ago. Has won six league titles in England, Spain and Germany since 2005, and also the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, where he scored the winning goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund. Has extreme pace and a rocket-like shot and scored 22 times for the Netherlands. Liis Treimann / AP
    Arjen Robben, winger (Bayern Munich); Age 30; 73 caps. Denied by the outstretched leg of Iker Casillas from handing the Dutch the World Cup four years ago. Has won six league titles in England, Spain and Germany since 2005, and also the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013, where he scored the winning goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund. Has extreme pace and a rocket-like shot and scored 22 times for the Netherlands. Liis Treimann / AP
  • Xavi, midfielder (Barcelona); Age 34; 130 caps. Midfield orchestrator who has set new standards for a central playmaker, leading Spain to victory in last three major tournaments. Passing, vision and composure remain unrivalled as he winds down his playing career and eyes a coaching role. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP
    Xavi, midfielder (Barcelona); Age 34; 130 caps. Midfield orchestrator who has set new standards for a central playmaker, leading Spain to victory in last three major tournaments. Passing, vision and composure remain unrivalled as he winds down his playing career and eyes a coaching role. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP
  • Mile Jedinak, midfielder (Crystal Palace); Age 29; 43 caps. Rewarded for good form at club level with captain’s armband against Ecuador and looks likely to retain it. Defensive midfield stalwart at Crystal Palace, the former Central Coast Mariner is only Australian firmly entrenched in the starting XI of a Premier League club. Ability to hold the midfield will play a crucial role in bolstering an inexperienced defence. Suhaib Salem / Reuters
    Mile Jedinak, midfielder (Crystal Palace); Age 29; 43 caps. Rewarded for good form at club level with captain’s armband against Ecuador and looks likely to retain it. Defensive midfield stalwart at Crystal Palace, the former Central Coast Mariner is only Australian firmly entrenched in the starting XI of a Premier League club. Ability to hold the midfield will play a crucial role in bolstering an inexperienced defence. Suhaib Salem / Reuters
  • Wesley Sneijder, attacking midfielder (Galatasaray); Age 29; 97 caps. Stripped of the captaincy of the Dutch side as Van Gaal questioned his fitness and looked set to dump him but has forced his way back. Started his career at Ajax, but also won league titles with Real Madrid and Inter Milan, as well as the Champions League with the latter. Won the “Silver Ball” as the second-best player of the World Cup in 2010 and was also the given the “Bronze Boot” as the third-highest scorer. Has scored 26 international goals. Pedro Ugarte / AFP
    Wesley Sneijder, attacking midfielder (Galatasaray); Age 29; 97 caps. Stripped of the captaincy of the Dutch side as Van Gaal questioned his fitness and looked set to dump him but has forced his way back. Started his career at Ajax, but also won league titles with Real Madrid and Inter Milan, as well as the Champions League with the latter. Won the “Silver Ball” as the second-best player of the World Cup in 2010 and was also the given the “Bronze Boot” as the third-highest scorer. Has scored 26 international goals. Pedro Ugarte / AFP

Sport

In pictures: World Cup 2014 – 10 to watch in Group B

Jake Badger

May 21, 2014

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Images of the top 10 players to look out for from Group B’s Spain, Netherlands, Australia and Chile.

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