Time for my group E analysis.
Holland (FIFA rank 4, 9th appearance)
The Dutch are the best team to never have won the world cup. They always boast a great team with great, skillful players. This WC the Dutch got seeded under some controversy. Before this WC FIFA used performance in the last 3 WC's to determine the seeded teams (teams at the top of the group) and the Dutch would have been unseeded if this was used this year (missed the 02 world cup). However, FIFA decided to use the world rankings and in turn the Dutch got the seed and a pretty decent draw.
Holland finished top of their qualifying group with a 100% record scoring 17 and only conceeding 2. Led by star players all over the field like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Mark Van Bommel in midfield and Arjen Robben, Eljero Elia, Dirk Kuyt, and Robin Van Persie up top. This team is deep and talented and can compete with anyone in the world. However, can they live up to expectations?
Denmark (36, 4)
Denmark comes in as a strong European team that can definitely play. They qualified first in their group ahead of Portugal and Sweden. They scored 16 and allowed only 5 in 10 games. They are a team that when they make the WC they tend to make the second round. However, this could be a tough year for them.
The Danes will be led by experienced players such as Dennis Rommedahl, Soren Larsen, Christian Poulsen and Jon Dahl Tomasson. However, they also have infused some younger talent such as Nicklas Bendtner and Simon Kjaer into the team to even things out.
Cameroon (19, 6)
Cameroon is the most decorated African nation. After being the first African team to make the quarter finals in 90, Cameroon has always had a lot of pressure put on it. However, this is a team that can deal with the pressure and live up to expectations. They won their group will relative ease.
The Indomitable Lions will be led by Samuel Eto'o up front, Alex Song and Jean Makoun in the midfield and ageless veteran Riobert Song leading the defense. The only problem is that Eto'o has threatened to quit the team after a bust up with former team members. If he does not play Cameroon have little up front. If he does play, this team could go very far.
Japan (45, 4)
Japan have qualified for the last 4 world cups and have become a dominant power in Asia. However, except for their second round run in 02 (in which they hosted) Japan have never made it out of the first round. They qualified behind Australia in their group in which the top 2 teams moved on. They lost only once but won only 4 games and drew 3.
Japan will be led by Keisuke Honda and Marcus Tulio Tanaka. The team had trouble finding the net which could definitely lead to problems in South Africa. However, they are a strong and technically sound team that can give anyone trouble.
Predictions:
Holland and Cameroon are the 2 heavy weights in the group and are the favored teams as well. However, Denmark comes in with a lot of support and a strong team. Cameroon and Holland play each other in the last game which means that the group could already be decided by this point, however, I think it will be close. I honestly see the Netherlands winning all 3 games and cruising to the round of 16 with 9 points. I see Cameroon beating Japan in the first game and then drawing or beating the Danes in the next game. I think Japan will get a draw against Denmark so that they can leave the WC with something. I think Cameroon will finish second in the group while the Danes finish second and the Japanese finish last in the group.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Group D
Group D is a very intriguing group where anyone can come out of it. All of these games will be competitive.
Germany (Fifa Rank 6, World Cup Appearances 18th (3 times winner))
Germany is always a world power in soccer and always turns out greta players. They qualified top of their group will relative ease as they lost no games and won 8 while drawing 2. Germany is a defensive minded team as always but can still move forward in attack through the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez. They were not thought to be in their best form going into the 06 world cup and ended up finishing 3rd.
The problem is injuries for the German squad. Their top goal keeper, Rene Adler, and top player and captain, Michael Ballack, are both out for the world cup. They will be replaced but not with players that are as good. Losing two extremely influential players can hurt any team and it could put Germany on a plane home early.
Australia (20, 3)
Australia comes to their 3rd world cup and their first time in back to back cups. Australia joined the Asian qualifying group this time around after playing and dominating the Oceania group. However, Oceania has no guaranteed qualifiers so Australia left. They finished top of their group but only managed 7 goals in 6 games.
The Socceroos will be led by midfielder/attacker Tim Cahill. Cahill plays for Everton in the EPL and is a top class goal scorer. Australia look to build on their 06 cup in which they made it to the round of 16 where they lost to eventual champions, Italy, on a controversial penalty.
Serbia (16, 10)
Serbia plays in their first WC as Serbia (previously played as Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro). The Serbs qualified top of their group ahead of France. Serbia is a quality European team with lots of style and flair. They will be led by Milos Krasic, Nikola Zigic, and Nemanja Vidic.
Serbia will attack often and this group will allow them to do so. They have a solid back line but their keeper is the question mark. They can attack, posses, and attack but their keeper is not very strong.
Ghana (32, 2)
This is Ghana's second WC and they will look to build on their round of 16 performance in Germany. Ghana came out second in the "group of death" in 06 ahead of the US and Czech Republic. In qualifying they finished top of the group ahead of Mali and managed 4 wins 1 loss and 1 draw.
Ghana will be led by Michael Essien if he is healthy. He is a doubt at the moment but if he can play then Ghana can go far. Sulley Muntari is good goal scorer who will find space for himself with his pace. Ghana have a talented, young side but like most African nation's they lack experience at all positions.
Predictions:
Initially I thought Germany would top this group, but after the recent loss of some players I have to rethink things. Australia and Ghana look to build on their performances from the last World Cup and Serbia will be a tricky team for anyone. This should be a very tight group but I think Serbia finished top of the group with 5 points while Ghana will finished second with 5 points as well. Australia will end with 3 and Germany with 2 points. I just don't think Germany can score the necessary goals to move on.
Germany (Fifa Rank 6, World Cup Appearances 18th (3 times winner))
Germany is always a world power in soccer and always turns out greta players. They qualified top of their group will relative ease as they lost no games and won 8 while drawing 2. Germany is a defensive minded team as always but can still move forward in attack through the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez. They were not thought to be in their best form going into the 06 world cup and ended up finishing 3rd.
The problem is injuries for the German squad. Their top goal keeper, Rene Adler, and top player and captain, Michael Ballack, are both out for the world cup. They will be replaced but not with players that are as good. Losing two extremely influential players can hurt any team and it could put Germany on a plane home early.
Australia (20, 3)
Australia comes to their 3rd world cup and their first time in back to back cups. Australia joined the Asian qualifying group this time around after playing and dominating the Oceania group. However, Oceania has no guaranteed qualifiers so Australia left. They finished top of their group but only managed 7 goals in 6 games.
The Socceroos will be led by midfielder/attacker Tim Cahill. Cahill plays for Everton in the EPL and is a top class goal scorer. Australia look to build on their 06 cup in which they made it to the round of 16 where they lost to eventual champions, Italy, on a controversial penalty.
Serbia (16, 10)
Serbia plays in their first WC as Serbia (previously played as Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro). The Serbs qualified top of their group ahead of France. Serbia is a quality European team with lots of style and flair. They will be led by Milos Krasic, Nikola Zigic, and Nemanja Vidic.
Serbia will attack often and this group will allow them to do so. They have a solid back line but their keeper is the question mark. They can attack, posses, and attack but their keeper is not very strong.
Ghana (32, 2)
This is Ghana's second WC and they will look to build on their round of 16 performance in Germany. Ghana came out second in the "group of death" in 06 ahead of the US and Czech Republic. In qualifying they finished top of the group ahead of Mali and managed 4 wins 1 loss and 1 draw.
Ghana will be led by Michael Essien if he is healthy. He is a doubt at the moment but if he can play then Ghana can go far. Sulley Muntari is good goal scorer who will find space for himself with his pace. Ghana have a talented, young side but like most African nation's they lack experience at all positions.
Predictions:
Initially I thought Germany would top this group, but after the recent loss of some players I have to rethink things. Australia and Ghana look to build on their performances from the last World Cup and Serbia will be a tricky team for anyone. This should be a very tight group but I think Serbia finished top of the group with 5 points while Ghana will finished second with 5 points as well. Australia will end with 3 and Germany with 2 points. I just don't think Germany can score the necessary goals to move on.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Group C
We continue with our World Cup group by group analysis with group C today. Thats right, America's group.
England (FIFA rank 8, 13th appearance (1 time winner))
England breezed through qualifying, topping their group by 6 points of second place. Led by Wayne Rooney up front and the likes of Steven Gerard and Frank Lampard in the mid field, England made a statement. After failing to qualify for Euro 08 and sacking then coach Sven Goran Erricson, England has looked very dominant.
This is definitely one of the best English sides of all time but will that turn into a second World Cup trophy? After an injury scare that kept the entire nation holding their breath, Rooney has recovered and will lead the attack. Gerard and Lampard will control the midfield and try to spark the attack. John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole will anchor a very strong but very turbulent back line. Terry lost his captaincy after some controversy over an affair with another players with while Cole has had an injury plagued season and has been a little out of form. The questions come with the goal keeping and who will take up the position. Since David Seaman left after the 02 cup (and should have left earlier) the English goal has been weakly protected.
USA (14, 9)
The American's also qualified fairly easily (again) and topped CONCACAF. There was some turmoil about mid way through but the USA came out of it shinning and in first place. Team USA also put on a nice showing at the Confederations Cup losing to Brazil 3-2 after being up 2-0. The Americans actually went 2-0-3 in the tournament and got a lot of hype for a so-so performance. After being humiliated by Brazil and Italy in the group phase, they managed to finish second by beating Egypt and Brazil beating Italy. While the win over Spain and the game against Brazil in the final were impressive, the tournament as a whole was not.
The team will be led once again by attacking midfielder Landon Donovan. Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley will also help anchor the midfield while Jozy Altidore will be expected to lead the attack. Oguchi Onyewu will lead a strong back line and Tim Howard will patrol the goal posts. The American defense is strong but is their attack strong enough to get the goals necessary to move out of the group phase for only the third time in their history?
Algeria (31
Algeria is back in the world cup for the first time since 86. Algeria is probably the weakest of the African teams that went through qualification but that doesn't mean they can't play. They topped their group which included African Nation's champions Egypt and beating them again in a playoff. Lead by top goal scorers Antar Yahia and Karim Ziani the Algerians will play a counter attacking style to try to surprise teams. However, with little big game experience the Algerians could be over matched.
Slovenia (23, 3)
Slovenia enters the world cup after beating European big boys Russia in a two legged playoff match. They finished second to Slovakia in their qualifying group only 2 points back and with a goal differential of +14 (18 for to only 4 against). Slovenia then shocked Russia to earn their spot.
As you may have guessed, Slovenia boast a very strong defense. They also like to counter attack but can also hold possession and take control of a game as well. They will be led by top goal scorer Milivoje Novakovic and Mirnes Sisic.
Predictions:
This group is strange as 3 of the 4 teams prefer to counter attack and give up possession majority in order to do so. It will be interesting to see what happens when any of these teams play each other and who will take control of the game and be assertive. The USA vs. England match in game 1 should be fun and interesting to watch. In the end I think that England will probably top the group with 9 points but with the turmoil that has taken place in England they may falter. The USA will be favored to finish second but if they play like they did at the beginning of the Confed Cup they will go home early once again. Algeria are more happy just to be at the World Cup and will see making the knock out round as a bonus. Slovenia will try to impress again and make the knock out stages. I think the USA will finish with 4 points after beating Algeria and drawing with Slovenia, however, I think they finish second as Slovenia will finish with 2 points and Algeria with 1
England (FIFA rank 8, 13th appearance (1 time winner))
England breezed through qualifying, topping their group by 6 points of second place. Led by Wayne Rooney up front and the likes of Steven Gerard and Frank Lampard in the mid field, England made a statement. After failing to qualify for Euro 08 and sacking then coach Sven Goran Erricson, England has looked very dominant.
This is definitely one of the best English sides of all time but will that turn into a second World Cup trophy? After an injury scare that kept the entire nation holding their breath, Rooney has recovered and will lead the attack. Gerard and Lampard will control the midfield and try to spark the attack. John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole will anchor a very strong but very turbulent back line. Terry lost his captaincy after some controversy over an affair with another players with while Cole has had an injury plagued season and has been a little out of form. The questions come with the goal keeping and who will take up the position. Since David Seaman left after the 02 cup (and should have left earlier) the English goal has been weakly protected.
USA (14, 9)
The American's also qualified fairly easily (again) and topped CONCACAF. There was some turmoil about mid way through but the USA came out of it shinning and in first place. Team USA also put on a nice showing at the Confederations Cup losing to Brazil 3-2 after being up 2-0. The Americans actually went 2-0-3 in the tournament and got a lot of hype for a so-so performance. After being humiliated by Brazil and Italy in the group phase, they managed to finish second by beating Egypt and Brazil beating Italy. While the win over Spain and the game against Brazil in the final were impressive, the tournament as a whole was not.
The team will be led once again by attacking midfielder Landon Donovan. Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley will also help anchor the midfield while Jozy Altidore will be expected to lead the attack. Oguchi Onyewu will lead a strong back line and Tim Howard will patrol the goal posts. The American defense is strong but is their attack strong enough to get the goals necessary to move out of the group phase for only the third time in their history?
Algeria (31
Algeria is back in the world cup for the first time since 86. Algeria is probably the weakest of the African teams that went through qualification but that doesn't mean they can't play. They topped their group which included African Nation's champions Egypt and beating them again in a playoff. Lead by top goal scorers Antar Yahia and Karim Ziani the Algerians will play a counter attacking style to try to surprise teams. However, with little big game experience the Algerians could be over matched.
Slovenia (23, 3)
Slovenia enters the world cup after beating European big boys Russia in a two legged playoff match. They finished second to Slovakia in their qualifying group only 2 points back and with a goal differential of +14 (18 for to only 4 against). Slovenia then shocked Russia to earn their spot.
As you may have guessed, Slovenia boast a very strong defense. They also like to counter attack but can also hold possession and take control of a game as well. They will be led by top goal scorer Milivoje Novakovic and Mirnes Sisic.
Predictions:
This group is strange as 3 of the 4 teams prefer to counter attack and give up possession majority in order to do so. It will be interesting to see what happens when any of these teams play each other and who will take control of the game and be assertive. The USA vs. England match in game 1 should be fun and interesting to watch. In the end I think that England will probably top the group with 9 points but with the turmoil that has taken place in England they may falter. The USA will be favored to finish second but if they play like they did at the beginning of the Confed Cup they will go home early once again. Algeria are more happy just to be at the World Cup and will see making the knock out round as a bonus. Slovenia will try to impress again and make the knock out stages. I think the USA will finish with 4 points after beating Algeria and drawing with Slovenia, however, I think they finish second as Slovenia will finish with 2 points and Algeria with 1
Monday, May 10, 2010
World Cup group B
Group B is an interesting group with 4 quality teams but here is my analysis
Argentina (FIFA world rank 7, 15 world cup appearances (2 time winner))
Argentina is a strong team with lots of talent that hasn't seemed to live up to potential. With stars like Leo Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, and Javier Mascherano you would expect this team to be near the top in their qualification group and with a higher world ranking. However, Argentina struggled in qualification before finally finishing in the fourth and final automatic qualification spot.
Many blame this on coach and former great Diego Maradona. As a coach he has not reached the heights he did as a player. And he has not gotten the most out of Leo Messi like Barcelona has. In my opinion, the success of this team will come down to how well Leo Messi plays. If he plays in his current form for Barcelona, Argentina can win this whole thing.
Nigeria (20, 4)
Nigeria is another African team with a chance to go deep in the tournament. They have been the forefront, along with Cameroon, for African football for the past decade. Nigeria is currently the second highest ranked African team.
Nigeria left it late to qualify and wouldn't have qualified had Tunisia won their final game. However, Nigeria is a deep team with lots of attacking talent who can compete with the big boys. Most of Nigeria's squad plays in Europe including John Mikel Obi and Obafemi Martins.
South Korea (47, 8)
South Korea shocked the footballing world by finishing in fourth place in the 02 world cup. But they seemed to have fallen back to earth as they couldn't make it past the first round in 06. Korea struggled in qualification seeming to find late goals in all their matches to assure victory. They especially struggled against North Korea.
Park Ji-Sung, the Manchester United winger, will captain the side who is hoping to make it to the knock out stages for the second time ever. They will have a tough time in a strong group but are capable of pulling off upsets to get far in this tournament.
Greece (12, 2)
The Euro 2004 winners are appearing in the World Cup for the second time ever. Their first came at USA 94. Greece is a very defensive minded team that will only attack on the counter. Many were upset with their Euro 2004 win as they saw it as a step back for football to see a team play with 10 players behind the ball at all times. However, the strategy has proven affective and has risen Greece to number 12 in the world.
German born coach Otto Rehhagal has instilled a very disciplined team. Lead by star striker Theofanis Gekas Greece will look to counter attack against the other teams in this group. They will try to attack through the air and by playing suffocating defense.
My Prediction:
I see Greece struggling at this world cup. They have never scored in the world cup and I seem them having a hard time doing so again. Their defensive tactics will work for a while but each of these teams especially Argentina and Nigeria have the players to break open the defense and find the net. And if Greece is playing from behind they have no chance. South Korea has only made it past the first round once and that was when they hosted. I don't see them making it past the first round again this time. They will struggle against Argentina and Nigeria and I see them drawing their opening match with Greece.
In the end I see Nigeria following Argentina into the round of 16. The opening match of Nigeria-Argentina will probably be the best of the group in terms of exciting football. However, should Argentina struggle and Messi not play up to his standards at Barca, then they will find it tough to make the knock out round and could find themselves on an early plane ride home.
Argentina (FIFA world rank 7, 15 world cup appearances (2 time winner))
Argentina is a strong team with lots of talent that hasn't seemed to live up to potential. With stars like Leo Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, and Javier Mascherano you would expect this team to be near the top in their qualification group and with a higher world ranking. However, Argentina struggled in qualification before finally finishing in the fourth and final automatic qualification spot.
Many blame this on coach and former great Diego Maradona. As a coach he has not reached the heights he did as a player. And he has not gotten the most out of Leo Messi like Barcelona has. In my opinion, the success of this team will come down to how well Leo Messi plays. If he plays in his current form for Barcelona, Argentina can win this whole thing.
Nigeria (20, 4)
Nigeria is another African team with a chance to go deep in the tournament. They have been the forefront, along with Cameroon, for African football for the past decade. Nigeria is currently the second highest ranked African team.
Nigeria left it late to qualify and wouldn't have qualified had Tunisia won their final game. However, Nigeria is a deep team with lots of attacking talent who can compete with the big boys. Most of Nigeria's squad plays in Europe including John Mikel Obi and Obafemi Martins.
South Korea (47, 8)
South Korea shocked the footballing world by finishing in fourth place in the 02 world cup. But they seemed to have fallen back to earth as they couldn't make it past the first round in 06. Korea struggled in qualification seeming to find late goals in all their matches to assure victory. They especially struggled against North Korea.
Park Ji-Sung, the Manchester United winger, will captain the side who is hoping to make it to the knock out stages for the second time ever. They will have a tough time in a strong group but are capable of pulling off upsets to get far in this tournament.
Greece (12, 2)
The Euro 2004 winners are appearing in the World Cup for the second time ever. Their first came at USA 94. Greece is a very defensive minded team that will only attack on the counter. Many were upset with their Euro 2004 win as they saw it as a step back for football to see a team play with 10 players behind the ball at all times. However, the strategy has proven affective and has risen Greece to number 12 in the world.
German born coach Otto Rehhagal has instilled a very disciplined team. Lead by star striker Theofanis Gekas Greece will look to counter attack against the other teams in this group. They will try to attack through the air and by playing suffocating defense.
My Prediction:
I see Greece struggling at this world cup. They have never scored in the world cup and I seem them having a hard time doing so again. Their defensive tactics will work for a while but each of these teams especially Argentina and Nigeria have the players to break open the defense and find the net. And if Greece is playing from behind they have no chance. South Korea has only made it past the first round once and that was when they hosted. I don't see them making it past the first round again this time. They will struggle against Argentina and Nigeria and I see them drawing their opening match with Greece.
In the end I see Nigeria following Argentina into the round of 16. The opening match of Nigeria-Argentina will probably be the best of the group in terms of exciting football. However, should Argentina struggle and Messi not play up to his standards at Barca, then they will find it tough to make the knock out round and could find themselves on an early plane ride home.
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