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.