With 8 days till the World Cup, it's time for our all out group by group preview as we'll tell you who is coming out of each of the 8 groups from A to H. We'll cover the players to watch for each team and the games that will decide the fate of each group. As always, we've got a few surprises in store for our picks. Let's roll!
Group A
France
World Ranking: 9th
Player To Watch: Franck Ribery
Preview: The French were lucky to get in through Henry's handball, but the 2006 Finalists might not find as much luck in South Africa. What appears to be an easy group is actually quite tricky with the host country and two teams used to playing at altitude. The French have been the least impressive of the traditional European powers in recent times (finishing bottom of their Euro 2008 group). They have plenty of talented attackers, but can't quite seem to put it together on the national stage.
South Africa
World Ranking: 83rd
Player To Watch: Aaron Mokoena
Preview: The host nation has never failed to make it out of the group stages, but South Africa might be the first. They have 2 talented teams to compete with in Uruguay and Mexico, and the national team just doesn't have enough quality to advance in the competition. They have some good EPL players like Aaron Mokoena and Steven Pienaar, but nobody at a world class level. They'll get the most support, but will likely miss out on the group stages.
Uruguay
World Ranking: 16th
Player To Watch: Diego Forlan
Preview: Uruguay will depend on the strike partnership of Forlan and Ajax captain Luis Suarez. The question with Uruguay will be whether they have enough at the back and in the midfield to advance. They have only won 1 game in the World Cup since 1970, but Forlan and Suarez have the ability to set the group alight. If they shock France in their opener, or even get a draw, they could find themselves advancing.
Mexico
World Ranking: 17th
Player To Watch: Carlos Vela
Preview: Mexico is unlucky to draw South Africa in the opening game. That is when the host country will be at a fever pitch, and El Tri will have it all against them on June 11. Mexico hasn't quite had the recent success on the big stage that they are used to, and they may find it hard to advance out of the group this time around. But, they have a big advantage with being used to playing at altitude in the Azteca. With a mix of veterans and young stars, the talent is there, but will the composure be there as well?
Most Important Game: France v Uruguay June 11
Who's Going Through: 1) Mexico 2) Uruguay
Group B
Argentina
World Ranking: 7th
Player To Watch: Lionel Messi
Preview: Argentina has the most attacking depth in the tournament with Aguero, Messi, Milito, and Tevez all world class players. However, Diego Maradona has left out several European based star players in midfield and defense that might prove costly deeper in the tournament. Argentina might have to win a lot of 3-2 games in the KO rounds to advance, but they'll easily score enough goals to win Group B.
Greece
World Ranking: 13th
Player To Watch: Georgios Samaras
Preview: The Euro 2004 champs are a somewhat surprise qualifier for the 2010 World Cup with a side that lacks offensive firepower. Greece is known for their tough, defensive, grind it out style. Greece can defend with some of the best teams in the world on any given day, but there is not enough dynamic qualities to see them getting out of the group.
Nigeria
World Ranking: 21st
Player To Watch: John Obi Mikel
Preview: The Super Eagles will center around the Chelsea midfielder, who might have to do more going forward for his country than his club. Many question the Nigerians ability up front this time around, but I see a talented strikeforce with accomplished players like Yakubu, Martins, and Odemwingie. I see Nigeria being one of the real revelations of this tournament and progressing through the group and maybe even causing an upset or two down the road.
South Korea
World Ranking: 47th
Player To Watch: Park Ji-Sung
Preview: South Korea made it all the way to the Semis in 2002 when they hosted the World Cup, but have been able to continue that momentum forward, as evidenced by their surprisingly low FIFA ranking. They'll struggle to get out of the group, and playing in the unfamiliar confines of South Africa will be much different than when they found success in their own backyard.
Most Important Game: Nigeria v Greece June 17
Who's Going Through: 1) Argentina 2) Nigeria
Group C
England
World Ranking: 8th
Player To Watch: Steven Gerrard
Preview: The English have their hopes up for the 2010 World Cup. Although their post-1966 history has rivaled Cleveland sports for disappointment and letdown, England fans are talking themselves into believing this year is the year for them again. With a competent coach in Fabio Capello, and some of the world's best players (Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, Ferdinand, Terry) why not? The key will not be Rooney up front, but how Lampard and Gerrard (most likely playing out of position) fit together in midfield. England will go as far as the Chelsea and Liverpool captains take them.
Algeria
World Ranking: 30th
Player To Watch: Nadir Belhadj
Preview: Algeria defeated their arch rivals Egypt in a playoff to reach the World Cup. That in and of itself is a huuuge deal - the rivalry is so intense that the game had to be played in a neutral country! That may be the highlight of the 2010 World Cup for the Desert Foxes - too little talent and very few difference makers around the pitch to advance.
United States
World Ranking: 14th
Player To Watch: Clint Dempsey
Preview: The Americans, like the English, are believing in this team to go places where no recent American team has gone before. Boosted by a run to the Confed Cup Final, and a defeat of Spain, the US has finally shown that it can play with and beat the big boys of world soccer. The key man will be Fulham ace Clint Dempsey. If Dempsey scores goals, the US will advance out of a weaker group and even past the Last 16. I have a cautious optimism for the stars and stripes in South Africa.
Slovenia
World Ranking: 25th
Player To Watch: Zlatko Dedic
Preview: Slovenia is the smallest nation in the World Cup (2 Million). They beat Russia (population 140 Million) to reach the World Cup through the UEFA playoffs. Slovenia will present some problems at set pieces with their height advantage, and will be given confidence by their defeat of Russia... but I don't see them seriously challenging the US or England.
Most Important Game: USA v England June 12
Who's Going Through: 1) England 2) USA
Group D
Australia
World Ranking: 20th
Player To Watch: Tim Cahill
Preview: Australia was the real deal in 2006 and have many of the same players featuring again in 2010. The goals will likely come through Everton's midfielder Tim Cahill, but the striker position is really the Aussies' only weakness. They have solid depth and experience in the midfield and defense and will be tough to score against. They are certainly in the mix to advance.
Germany
World Ranking: 6th
Player To Watch: Mesut Ozil
Preview: Another World Cup. Another underappreciated German side. Another likely long tournament. Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and Germany playing well in the World Cup. It always happens! 3 titles and 7 final appearances speak for themselves. Perhaps no team is as consistently good on the big stage as the Germans. While this year's side again looks like it will be the one to falter, there is enough young talent like Werder Bremen's Mesut Ozil to help the German cause.
Serbia
World Ranking: 15th
Player To Watch: Nemanja Vidic
Preview: Serbia is a popular pick as a darkhorse contender to make a long run in this year's WC. They have perhaps the best defender in the world in Man Utd.'s Vidic and have talented players in midfield (Milan Jovanovic) and attack (Nikola Zigic). Serbia was impressive in qualifying, even beating France to top their UEFA group. Unfortunately, they face the toughest and deepest group in South Africa and have a dogfight for qualification into the KO rounds.
Ghana
World Ranking: 32nd
Player To Watch: Dominic Adiyiah
Preview: The Black Stars are perhaps Africa's most accomplished WC team in recent years - becoming the first African team to reach the Last 16 in the 32 team tournament. However, they will be crippled without Chelsea M Michael Essien. Those are big shoes to fill, and even with young striker Dominic Adiyiah coming up from Ghana's winning U-20 World Cup team, it might not be enough.
Most Important Game: Australia v Serbia June 23
Who's Going Through: 1) Germany 2) Serbia
Group E
Cameroon
World Ranking: 19th
Player To Watch: Pierre Webo
Preview: Cameroon's volatile striker Samuel Eto'o is a mystery. He's traditionally one of the world's best, but got red carded in a friendly and has threatened to quit the national team over comments from an ex-star. The Indomitable Lions aren't a one man team though with good players like GK Carlos Kameni, M Jean Makoun, and ST Pierre Webo all featuring on their club teams. Cameroon has always been a bit unpredictable on the national stage, but a weaker group might see them scrape through to the knockout rounds.
Denmark
World Ranking: 36th
Player To Watch: Nicklas Bendtner
Preview: The Danes were another surprise group winner in UEFA qualifying besting Portugal and Sweden to earn a place in South Africa. They are led at the front by Arsenal's mercurial striker Nicklas Bendtner and will depend on him to get goals. Denmark also got a boost with news that Stoke GK Thomas Sorensen will be able to play. Denmark is somewhat of an unknown quality having not featured in a WC/Euro Champ. since 2004.
Netherlands
World Ranking: 4th
Player To Watch: Arjen Robben
Preview: These days, no country will play a more attractive brand of football than the Dutch. While it might not be the Total Football of the 70's, this group has a special kind of talent and ability in the midfield and forward line. Bayern's Robben was the star of the Champions League and joined by Huntelaar, Snejder, Kuyt, Babel, Van Persie, and others will carry the Dutch to win Group E. Will their defense be enough to take them farther though?
Japan
World Ranking: 45th
Player To Watch: Keisuke Honda
Preview: Coming out of Asia, Japan won't have much to offer the 2010 World Cup. They have some nice players like CSKA's Honda and Shinsuke Nakamura... but this team doesn't compare to either Denmark or Cameroon. While Japan has consistently gotten to the World Cup, they haven't shown the ability to do much there.
Most Important Game: Cameroon v Denmark June 19
Who's Going Through: 1) Netherlands 2) Cameroon
Group F
Italy
World Ranking: 5th
Player To Watch: Fabio Cannavarro
Preview: The defending champions aren't listed among the favorites for this year's championship, and there are plenty of good reasons why. They are aging all over the pitch and have found a lack of goalscoring ability (see 0-0 PK defeat v Spain at Euro 2008). It's the aging defenders at the back, like captain Cannavarro who just signed for Al Ahli in Dubai, yes, Dubai, that should have the Italians worried. They have the unquestioned easiest group, but will struggle to get past the Quarterfinals.
New Zealand
World Ranking: 78th
Player To Watch: Jonah Lomu, whoops, wrong sport...
Preview: I'm trying to think of something positive to say about the prospects of the All Whites heading into South Africa... and struggling mightily. Unless this quickly turns into the Rugby World Cup and the All Blacks take the field, NZ has zero chance to get out of the group stage. At least I'm hoping we'll see some sort of Haka dance.
Paraguay
World Ranking: 31st
Player To Watch: Roque Santa Cruz
Preview: Paraguay finished 3rd in South American Qualifying, and only a point behind Brazil at the top of the continent heading into the World Cup. They also luck out in having a good chance to advance through the group stage, seeing only Slovakia in their way. This is their 4th straight WC appearance, making it out of the group twice in that time period. Paraguay will depend on their stout defense and the talented Santa Cruz to advance.
Slovakia
World Ranking: 34th
Player To Watch: Marek Hamsik
Preview: Slovakia is another of the European underdogs to make it into the World Cup field this year. They won Group 3 of UEFA qualifying ahead of Slovenia and the favored Czechs. Only 4 teams scored more goals than the Slovaks in WC Qualifying and they'll favor offensive football to get through. The man to watch is Napoli M Hamsik, who is primed to be one of the breakout stars of this year's tournament.
Most Important Game: Slovakia v Paraguay June 20
Who's Going Through: 1) Italy 2) Paraguay
Group G
Brazil
World Ranking: 1st
Player To Watch: Lucio
Preview: Dunga's Brazil is not the Brazil of Pele and Zico. Dunga's Brazil follows the blueprint of the team he led to the '94 title - hardnosed, physical, and more direct. Dunga sacrificed many bigname players like Ronaldinho and Adriano for a more team-oriented approach that has worked so far. Brazil has possibly the best defense in the world, led by captain and Inter Milan rock Lucio in the center of defense. Brazil are on the short list of favorites to win it all.
Ivory Coast
World Ranking: 27th
Player To Watch: Didier Drogba
Preview: Long considered to be the favorites of the African continent to be the standout World Cup team, they have been hit by appearances in tough groups in back-to-back World Cups. However, in 2010 they might be slight favorites to get by Portugal and advance on the form of Chelsea's Didier Drogba. Yet, they also have big time players at top clubs like Kolo and Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou. If Cote D'Ivoire are able to advance out of the group, the sky is the limit for the Elephants.
Portugal
World Ranking: 3rd
Player To Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
Preview: Don't be fooled by the world ranking - this is a national team in shambles. They had a 0-0 draw with the Cape Verde Islands in a recent friendly! Do you even know that the Cape Verde Islands were a country that played soccer?? Even worse was that the team was a full-strength squad with Ronaldo, Nani, and Deco all featuring. It's hard to imagine them turning it on in South Africa, even with Ronaldo.
North Korea
World Ranking: 105th
Player To Watch: Jong Tae Se
Preview: Simply put, North Korea has no chance to get out of Group G. They do feature the "Asian Wayne Rooney" in Jong Tae Se, but little is known about this team. Of course, the team is mostly a mystery, it's North Korea! Unless these guys have the athletic prowess of Kim Jong-Il (and his reported 300 bowling game and several holes in one during each round of golf), this team is making a quick exit.
Most Important Game: Ivory Coast v Portugal June 15
Who's Going Through: 1) Brazil 2) Ivory Coast
Group H
Chile
World Ranking: 18th
Player To Watch: Alexis Sanchez
Preview: Chile will be favorites to get out of the group stage and finish 2nd behind Spain in Group H. They finished 2nd in South American qualifying and have strong play up front with Udinese's Alexis Sanchez one of the top young players in the tournament. Unfortunately, they'll be without their top striker Humberto Suazo for their first game against Honduras... but they should still have enough firepower to advance.
Switzerland
World Ranking: 24th
Player To Watch: Alexander Frei
Preview: I'm rather neutral towards the chances of the Swiss in WC 2010. Hey, this takes a while, give me a break if I insert a terrible joke at the end! Switzerland won the weakest of the UEFA qualifying groups by eeking out Greece. Their run-up to the tournament has been equally unimpressive - losing to both Costa Rica and Uruguay. They're going home early.
Honduras
World Ranking:
Player To Watch: Wilson Palacios
Preview: The nation rejoiced in making its first World Cup since 1982, their only previous appearance in the tournament. In fairness, they sneaked in by finishing 3rd and advancing on an injury time goal by the US against Costa Rica in the last seconds of CONCACAF qualifying. Honduras is a strong team physically, especially in the midfield, and have a veteran squad that could be capable of pulling an upset.
Spain
World Ranking: 2nd
Player To Watch: Xavi
Preview: The Euro 2008 Champions are co-favorites with Brazil to win the World Cup as their golden generation reaches their prime. Spain will possess the ball and pass their opponents to death in a style similar to Barcelona's club team. With Torres and Villa up front, Xavi and Fabregas in midfield, and Puyol, Pique, and Casillas at the back, Spain is as loaded as any other roster from top to bottom.
Most Important Game: Honduras v Chile June 16
Who's Going Through: 1) Spain 2) Chile
No comments:
Post a Comment