Brazil, you say? They know how to play football over there, don't they? But it's a long way for one so middle aged as I to travel.

So instead, I shall slouch into my leather armchair and view the tournament from this side of the Atlantic. I shall try and watch every game and will definitely make wildly inaccurate predictions too.

I do solemnly vow to give you a real sense of what it's like to not be at the World Cup. This is the blog where all the colour and atmosphere and passion of watching the world's greatest sporting tournament on a wall mounted widescreen really comes to life.

Thursday, 19 June 2014

They Finished 31st: AUSTRALIA

The lowest ranked team stayed true to the ranking system. Never fancied them this time around. A lot of the stars who made them a threat at the last couple of World Cups have hung up their boots. Only Cahill remains and he left his mark on this competition with a stunner that'll rank up with the best of the tournament.

Always triers, the Aussies lacked star quality and found themselves in a tough group with both 2010 World Cup finalists to contend with. It was never going to happen and never did.  But they'll be back in four...