New Orleans Jesters coach Farrell likes Brazil to win World Cup, England as dark horse

With the knockout round approaching in the World Cup in Russia, the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders.

New Orleans Jesters head coach Kenny Farrell sites five teams whom he feels can win it all. While others have been impressive, he does not feel they have what it takes to capture the Cup.

“I’m impressed with some of the teams that have overachieved in the early stages of group play but them may not get to the final,” Farrell said.

Farrell has a clear favorite.

“I still think Brazil will win it,” Farrell said. “If you look at World Cups in the past, I think you will see teams that may have struggled a bit in group play but when they got through, they really started to show their talent. They go from measuring how many points they need to get to get through to playing their best. Single elimination changes their tactics, changes the mindset. The mentality of these teams that make the last 16 is going to change. If they (Brazil) ever click, no one’s going to stop them.”

Farrell give props to another side that could win it all in Russia.

“I’ve got a feeling that Portugal could win the World Cup,” Farrell said. “I wouldn’t have said that before the World Cup started. I just think they have some chemistry about them. They are not playing fantastic. I just think that Ronaldo might have his crowning glory as well. It just seems like it might be written before we actually get there. They did win the Nation’s Cup two years ago. They weren’t very good on the field but Ronaldo was good enough to make a difference.”

Despite its struggles to advance, It is way too early to dismiss always tough Germany, the defending World Cup champion.

“Because of that last minute goal against Sweden, Germany may get that bounce they need and get and got their struggles out of their system to go on the last 16 and make a run,” Farrell said. “They should be able to do that with the players that they have. They certainly have the experience on their side.”

If you are looking for a surprise team to possibly win it all, look no further than the home of the Premier League.

“If I was looking for a dark horse, I would look at England,” Farrell said. “I know they’ve not been tested yet. I know they’ve not truly been tested. They beat Panama 6-1, they won their first one in the last minute. They’ve got goal scorers and they’re very exciting going forward when they have the right players. They do lack a creative mid-field player. If their defense holds up and does a good job, they could make a serious run.”

Argentina advanced with a late goal to beat Nigeria.

“When it comes to Argentina, I’m just lost,” Farrell said. “Poor management is the problem, this is not about players. It’s from the association down to the head coach. The unfortunate part about Argentina is that it’s always been about Lionel Messi. It shouldn’t be about a player. I think when it comes to Portugal, we know Ronaldo can change the game for them but everybody gets in and there’s a great chemistry. They’ve never found that with Argentina. It’s the management’s job to get players to achieve. They have talent. It just hasn’t happened.”

Farrell is hoping for one region to have a breakthrough team and has one more team he feels is capable of going the distance.

“I would love to see one of the African teams get to the last 16 or the last eight but the one that I haven’t spoken about is Belgium,” Farrell said. “Before it started, I wasn’t high on them because I didn’t like Belgium’s team chemistry. They were a bunch of very good pIayers all across the field that could not seem to knit it together. I have to say that I think they have something going for them. If there is any team that has not won the World Cup before, Belgium can win it.”