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World Cup Group C preview: Is Colombia ready for the stage?

Colombia, the favorite in Group C, is without its best player, striker Radamel Falcao, due to a knee injury. The last time the nation entered a World Cup with such high hopes, in 1994, Colombia crashed out of the group stage and defender Andres Escobar, who committed a costly own goal against the US, was murdered upon his return to Medellin.

Better to dispense with the warnings about this ascendant Colombia team that is clearly the class of this foursome and has been widely projected as a quarterfinalist. Because there is a wave of talent to fill Falcao’s attacking cleats, and the Cafeteros have the benefit of playing on their home continent.

If a knockout-stage spot is conceded to Colombia — again, you’ve been warned — that leaves an entertaining three-for-all for the remaining bid. Ivory Coast is looking for a going-away run from its golden generation of talent. Japan presents a youthful, high-flying squad that cruised through qualifying in Asia. And Greece, stingy on defense, has proved its mettle in Europe.

Colombia

James RodriguezEPA

Coach: Jose Pekerman

Odds: 25-1

FIFA rank: 5

Formation: 4-4-2

World Cup finishes: Returns to main draw for first time since 1998. Best finish: Round of 16 (1990). Worst finish: Group-stage disaster in 1994, punctuated by the infamous Andres Escobar own goal vs. the US.

Players to watch: This is where we would have tipped ace striker Radamel Falcao, but the 28-year-old was dropped from the roster, unable to recover in time from an ACL injury. That shifts focus to James Rodriguez, an attacking midfielder, and winger Juan Cuadrado to provide the creative impetus.

Overview: Pekerman, who coached Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, has imparted a go-go-go attack mentality to a talented squad that will be a hipster pick to win it all. The biggest question may revolve around 38-year-old captain and center back Mario Yepes and how well he holds up anchoring a defense that can be vulnerable to the counter.

Schedule: June 14 vs. Greece (Belo Horizonte); June 19 vs. Ivory Coast (Brasilia); June 24 vs. Japan (Cuiaba)

Ivory Coast

Didier DrogbaAFP/Getty Images

Coach: Sabri Lamouchi

Odds: 150-1

FIFA rank: 21

Formation: 4-3-3

World Cup finishes: Finished third in group in 2006 and 2010.

Players to watch: Yaya Toure, coming off a flat-out brilliant campaign for Manchester City, is a line-to-line midfielder with an uncommon scoring knack, especially off free kicks. At 6-foot-3, you won’t be able to miss him. Didier Drogba, once the world’s most feared striker, is playing his last big tournament at age 36.

Overview: The Ivorians are relieved to have a reasonable draw after two straight appearances (and exits) in the Group of Death, and out to wipe their reputation for floundering on the big stages. Toure is the best player in the group, on the all-world short list. There is plenty of attacking talent, but the defense led by Kolo Toure (Yaya’s older brother) can be shaky.

Schedule: June 14 vs. Japan (Recife); June 19 vs. Colombia (Brasilia); June 24 vs. Greece (Fortaleza)

Japan

Keisuke HondaAP

Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni

Odds: 150-1

FIFA rank: 47

Formation: 4-2-3-1

World Cup finishes: Qualified for fifth straight time. Reached Round of 16 as co-hosts in 2002; fell on penalties in Round of 16 in 2010.

Players to watch: Keisuke Honda (of AC Milan) and Shinji Kagawa (a bench player for Manchester United) give Japan a pair of prime-age creative, attacking midfielders that would be the envy of most teams in the tournament. Honda, identifiable by his shock of bleached hair, holds the heartbeat of this team.

Overview: Japan has a reputation as frighteningly mercurial, with frequent references made to its collective “mood.” In part this is consequence of Zaccheroni’s tactics; the Samurai Blue want to play high up the field, and fullbacks are encouraged to jump into the play, which can leave the defense exposed. Japan will get into some frantic, high-scoring games. They may not advance, but they’ll be fun to watch.

Schedule: June 14 vs. Ivory Coast (Recife); June 19 vs. Greece (Natal); June 24 vs. Colombia (Cuiaba)

Greece

Andreas SamarisAFP/Getty Images

Coach: Fernando Santos (he smokes on the sideline)

Odds: 300-1

FIFA rank: 10

Formation: 4-2-3-1

World Cup finishes: All-time record of 1-5. Won first World Cup match in 2010 but failed to escape group.

Players to watch: Kostas Mitroglou, coming off a knee injury and a reputation-dimming transfer to English club Everton, is the best goal-scoring hope for a team that does not find the net often. Giorgos Samaras, playing on the wing, can provide a spark.

Overview: Greece won Euro 2004 with a packed-in, cynical style, and though Santos has attempted to mold a more fluid team, he has said, “We’ve tried to play a different way then we slipped back into our comfort zone, our defensive strength.” Expect a lot of 1-0 or 1-1 scores. Steal a win and the Greeks have a chance to advance.

Schedule: June 14 vs. Colombia (Belo Horizonte); June 19 vs. Japan (Natal); June 24 vs. Ivory Coast (Fortaleza)