Trying to Compete with a Crap Nation

So, I took over Canada and managed to salvage our World Cup Qualifying final phase in CONCACAF with key victories over Costa Rica (2-1) and Honduras (3-0). Don't ask me how, I don't know.

I've been drawn into a World Cup 2014 group with Portugal, Brazil, and Poland.

I know I've absolutely no chance of advancing, let alone winning a match, but I want to be competitive.

My squad is terrible. Most are 2.5-3* in their own domestic league (either MLS, NASL, or USL), which is awful.

I'm currently running a 4-5-1 with a lone striker named Caleb Clarke. He has 13 finishing but other than that, he's as bad as you would expect a 19 year-old Canadian striker playing in the NASL to be.

How can I possibly stop the likes of Portugal and Brazil? I just want to keep the score semi-respectable...

So you'll probably want to keep the 4-5-1 and play soley off the counter and set-pieces. Now this depends on the other apects of your team, but mainly counter is what you want to be looking at, with players who are fast enough to do this. After scoring look to defend the lead, and if you concede eithermake the choice to continue with countering or to go on the attack.

Just park the bus and hope your team converts what small chances you will have. Knowing this game that still won't do you any good so i think you should be glad you qualified...

Ultra defensive approach works wonders sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if you won against Brazil, but even if you lose by less than 3 goals you should be happy