The Coach: Raddy Antic

Having already coached the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and leading Atletico Madrid to the double in 1995/96, Antic is a man with vast experience. He will lead Serbia as a sole country for the first time ever (they played as Serbia and Montenegro in 2006).

The Captain: Dejan Stankovic

Inter’s midfield workhorse enters his third World Cup with a third different country (Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro and Serbia now). He has plenty of confidence after a fulfilling season with Inter and his ability to create a bit of magic in the centre of the park is vital for the Serbs.

Can Stankovic bring his club form to the World Cup?

The X-Factor: Milos Krasic

He drew interest from scouts after his impressive displays for CSKA Moscow in the Champions League during the past season for his electric pace and skilful talent. He’ll torment his side-back opponents and if he has a good tournament, he might not be in Russia for too much longer.

The Flaw: The Keeper

Vladimir Stojkovic has only managed 16 league games in the past three seasons which is a real concern for Antic and his squad. He’ll come up against potent attacking players in the group and whether or not he can hold his hand up in the big moments will be telling.

The Verdict: Group Stage

They have a great team full of talent from back to front but whether or not they can score crucial goals will be a test. However, they depicted in qualifying by finishing first above France that they are no joke and will be looking to show the world that winning their qualifying group was no fluke.

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GHANA

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $51

The Coach: Milovan Rajevac

Head’s were shaking in confusion when Rajevac was instated a few years back now. However, the Serb has taken Ghana to a new level and really turned them into a tactically brilliant African nation and has been awarded the success he deserves.

The Captain: Steven Appiah

Like Ballack for Germany, Essien another Chelsea man and hard working midfielder will miss the tournament and Appiah will take over the captaincy. He might have had a limited role in the Cup had Essien be fit, but now will me a huge part in whether Ghana can progress from the group. If he’s as good as he was in Germany, they might have a chance or two.

The X-Factor: Sulley Muntari

Big effort... Can Muntari fill Essien's void?

The former Portsmouth man struggled at Inter this past season and will be looking for a big impact in the Cup to see him playing regular first team football next season. He possesses a stinging strike and has good pace. Whether or not the defensive/central midfield position he is likely to get is right for him is debatable though.

The Flaw: Goals

During the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year, the side could only put four goals together in five games. They couldn’t score more than two goals against any of the countries they played in qualifying (Benin, Mali and Sudan) and will rely on the midfield to chip in more effectively in Essien’s absence.

The Verdict: Group Stage

Whilst they have a fairly strong defence, in a tournament like the World Cup, you need to score goals to have any chance. Essien’s withdrawal heaps the pressure on the likes of Muntari, Appiah and Asamoah Gyan. Whether or not they can’t deal with the pressure remains to be seen.

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Gordon D'Mello

Gordon is a Journalism student at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney who has a huge passion in the field of sports writing and sport itself. Here he is a writer, senior editor and is also a co-founder of Injury Time.