Group G

With 1 week to go until the World Cup starts I delve into the tricky group G.

Brazil (FIFA world rank 1, 19th appearance (5 time winner))

Brazil is the only nation to have qualified and played in every single world cup. They are also the nation with the most World Cup titles with a total of 5 (Italy is second with 4 and Germany third with 3). Brazil qualified for this world cup by winning the South American qualifying group and they secured there spot in South Africa by beating their fiercest rival Argentina. Brazil had some hiccups in qualifying and they started fairly slowly. However, they managed to do enough to finish top of the table. This time around they had many more draws than they would have preferred, but a draw is better than a loss.

Brazil will be lead by coach Dunga. The former player, captain, and world cup winner for Brazil (at USA 94) took over the team in 07 as his first coaching job. Like I said, the team started out slowly but then quickly took to Dunga's style and started bringing home the victories, including the 2009 Confederations Cup trophy (beating the USA 3-2). Brazil is littered with talent up and down the field and you can see just how talented they are when they leave out players like Ronaldo, Adriano, and Ronaldinho. However, players such as Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano, Dani Alves, Maicon, and Julio Caesar have all made the trip. Dunga was known for his hard tackling and no non-sense style and he has imparted that in his new team. While this team is more pragmatic than they once were, they can still attack in waves and in great style. Brazil will play some of the most entertaining soccer at this world cup

Portugal (3, 5)

Portugal enters this world cup hoping to only slight build on their 06 WC performance where they finished in 4th. That slight improvement this WC could mean their first ever World Cup title. However, questions have come up about this version of the Portugal team as even though they are ranked 3rd in the world they do not seem to be as good as the 06 team. They qualified second in their group behind Denmark and they weren't that impressive. They only finished 1 point ahead of Sweden and 3 ahead of Hungary for that second place. They then beat Bosnia-Heregovina in their playoff but only just. BH hit the post 3 times in quick succession and had any of those gone in then Portugal might not even be at this world cup.

Portugal will of course be led by former world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Possibly the most technically gifted player on the planet, Ronaldo transfered from Manchester United to Real Madrid last summer for a record fee of 100 million euros. Ronaldo has scored goals in bunches at the club level, but like Leo Messi, has failed to make the dramatic impression on the national stage as the likes of Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo (the Brazilian), and Romario have. However, he can carry a team on his back. The other problem for this team is the center of defense and midfield. They are not as strong in these places as they were last world cup but are hoping some young talent can fill in and make that leap forward. The likes of Nani, Pepe and Miguel Veloso will be expected to step up.

Ivory Coast (27, 2)

The Ivory Coast has been touted by many to be the African nation with the best chance to win the world cup. However, in each of the last 2 world cup's (their only WC appearances) they have had poor luck in the draw and been forced into the so-called "group of death". The Ivory Coast has a team full of players who have made big impacts in European club soccer. However, this group may be too much for them. They qualified fairly easily, topping their group with a +15 goal differential in only 6 games.

The Ivory Coast will utilize players such as Gervinho, Bakari Kone, Salomon Kalou, Emmanuel Eboue, and the Toure brothers, Yaya and Kolo. These players are all big time players in European club soccer and have great experience. They play well together as a team and can attack brilliantly (they have been likened to Brazil in this regard). However, a recent blow has come to this team. Their top scorer and captain, Didier Drogba, broke his elbow in a friendly warm up match against Japan and is now expected to miss the entire World Cup. This is a huge blow to a team with high expectations and could be the death of them.

North Korea (105, 2)

North Korea, or Korea DPR, is the lowest ranked team in this world cup. They qualified by finished second behind South Korea and by having a better goal differential over Saudi Arabia (both teams finished on 12 points but NK has a +2 goal differential or SA's even). North Korea also only scored 7 goals in 8 games and relied heavily on a strong defense to earn their birth at this world cup.

North Korea is very much an major unknown. Most of their team plays in the North Korean league so very few players are known internationally. Mun In-Guk was their leading goal scorer in the qualifiers but he only scored twice. Ri Jun-Il led the team in appearances. The only thing that is truly known about this team is that they will play strong defensively and only counter attack. They will concede possession to anyone they play. However, I don't think their defense will be strong enough to keep out the likes of Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast.

Predictions:

In my opinion, the first game in this group will decide it. Portugal and the Ivory Coast will play each other and the winner of this game will finish in second. I don't believe that North Korea will win a game or even get a draw or a goal. I think Brazil will go into the last game on 6 points and will play Portugal only needing a draw to secure top spot. This could work in Portugal's favor but with Ivory Coast playing North Korea in their last game, they may only need to win by a certain margin in order to finish second. And knowing that can really help a team out. At first I predicted the Ivory Coast to finish second in this group after beating Portugal and North Korea while losing to Brazil. I also thought Portugal would draw or lose to Brazil in the final game meaning Brazil would finish on 7, Ivory Coast on 6 and Portugal on 4. However, with the recent injury to Drogba I have questions. Who will take of the scoring for the Ivory Coast. Yes they still have a great team with lots of talent but they don't have that recognized goal scorer anymore. This could be a massive blow to the Ivory Coast even with Portugal struggling. I now think that the Portugal-Ivory Coast game will end in a draw which means that going into the last day, Brazil will be leading the group with 6 points and be assured of progressing. Portugal will be on 4 points and would need either a draw or better goal differential to move on. Ivory Coast would be on 1 point but would be playing North Korea knowing that a win by a big enough margin could put them into the knock out stages. Since Brazil would want to finish top of the group and knowing a draw would do so, I could see them play Portugal to a draw so both sides could move on. However, Brazil is very competitive and could easily win. I think Brazil would win the game at which point it comes down to goal differential to see if either the Ivory Coast of Portugal move on. I am still giving the advantage to the Ivory Coast because of Portugal's recent struggles but with Cristiano Ronaldo on their side who knows what will happen.

Group F

Now on to group F with features Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia

Italy (FIFA Rank 5, 17th appearance (4 time winner))

Italy is a great team and are second only to Brazil in total World Cup's won. Italy qualified top of their group without losing again and with a +11 goal differential. Italy won the 06 world cup and then coach Lippi left. However, the team wasn't performing up to standards so the Italian Federation brought Marcelo Lippi back in as head coach. He will once again leave after this world cup, as will many of his players.

Italy was decided to bring along most of the same players who were involved in the 06 victory, however, the problem is that most of those players were old then and are even older now. Gennaro Gattuso is now 33, Mauro Camoranesi is 33, Andrea Pirlo is 31, Fabio Grosso is 33, Fabio Cannavaro is 36, Gianluca Zambrotta is 33, and Gianluigi Buffon is 32. These are the keys players for Italy and all are over 30. There is no fresh new talent into this team and this team has the feeling of being familiar and just older, not better.

Paraguay (31, 9)

Paraguay qualified in 3rd place in CONEMBOL ahead of Argentina. Paraguay is a strong team and has played in the last 4 world cups. They have become a regular power in South America and qualification is always expected now.

Paraguay will be led by leading scorer Salvador Cabanas and Roque Santa Cruz. Expect Paraguay to play a more counter attacking style but with lots of pressure and trying to build up possession when they have the ball. Paraguay will be a strong team in this group and will produce entertaining games

Slovakia (34, 9)

This is Slovakia's first appearance as Slovakia as they previously played as Czechloslovakia. Slovakia qualified first in their group ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland. They managed to score more than 2 goals a game but also game up a goal a game as well.

The Slovaks will be led by Martin Skrtel and Martin Petras in defence, and by Stanislav Sestak their leading scorer in qualification. Slovakia likes to attack and push forward and will have that opportunity in this group. Their defense isn't the best and can be exploited so expect their games to have goals in them.

New Zealand (78, 2)

This is the second World Cup appearance for the All Whites and they have yet to win a game. They qualified first in Oceania, as expected, with little trouble. The region formerly dominated by the Aussies is now New Zealand's to own. However, Oceania does not have an automatic qualifying spot and stunned many by winning their two legged playoff vs. Bahrain.

New Zealand will be led by Shane Smeltz, Simon Elliot, and Andrew Boyens. Most of New Zealand's lineup plays in New Zealand and aren't well known. However, some have moved overseas and have made names for themselves. Not much is expected from the All White's as they appear to be clearly over matched. In the Confederations Cup last summer New Zealand lost all 3 games and not much more is expected this summer.

Predictions:

Italy is a team that traditionally starts slowly though last world cup they won 2-0 over Ghana in their first match. However, like I said, Italy is not any better, just 4 years older. Italy's first match is against Paraguay and the South American side should be able to pull out at least a draw if not a win. I expect New Zealand to not win a game and may not score a goal but they will play hard. This means the other 3 teams will all have at least 3 points. I think Italy does lose their first game but wins their next two to finish on 6 points. I believe Paraguay will defeat Italy, then draw with Slovakia before finally defeating New Zealand to finish on 7 points and top the group. This leaves Slovakia on 4 points after their win over New Zealand, draw with Paraguay and loss to Italy. This group should make for an interesting final day in the group as Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay will all be fighting for a place in the knockout round. Paraguay and Slovakia will both be on 4 and Italy will be on 3 so any team could move forward. But I like Paraguay to finish first and Italy second.

Group E

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.

South Africa 2010!!!!

It has been a while since I posted because I've been busy. I have decided it is time to take this blog in the direction of the World Cup. The biggest sporting event in the world (yes, statistically more people watch the world cup than any other event) takes place this summer in South Africa and once again 32 nations will compete for the chance to become World Cup champions. I have decided that I will do a group by group analysis with my predictions for each group and then after going through each group, give my predictions for the subsequent knock out rounds.

So lets start with group A:

France (FIFA rank 10, 13th appearance, 1 time winner (98))

France is the highest rated team in this group and most people seem to think that they will easily advance but I have to disagree. France did very poorly in qualification, finishing second to Serbia and forced to play in a playoff to make the world cup. And in that playoff against Ireland, Thierry Henry's handball has become famous. If not for that handball France might not have made it to South Africa.
Yes France made it to the final last world cup but they are not nearly as good as they were. This is not the same team with Zidane in the line up. Zidane had said he wouldn't play in the 2006 World Cup and wasn't playing qualifying either until France made an emergency call to him as they were doing poorly in qualification.
Henry and Benezema, their two best scorers, are in poor form and rarely finding playing time at the moment. Ribery has had an on and off year so no one knows how he will play. France do have a solid back line however which may save them.

Mexico (17, 15)

Mexico is another conundrum. They have qualified for the World Cup every year since 1950 but this time it was much harder. they barely made it to the final round of CONCACAF qualification, passing only on goal differential. Sven Goran Errikson was the coach and Mexico player terribly, starting of the final round very poorly and out of contention. However, Javier Aguirre came in and turned things around leading Mexico to 5 wins and 1 draw in their last 6 games and into second in the CONCACAF region.
This team was saved by a new coach and bring Blanco back into the squad. He helped create in the middle and this team is back on the rise. This team could very easily win this group and cause problems for other teams. Dos Santos and Torrado and midfield dynamos who can control and create. Carlos Vela is the man expected to score the goals

Uruguay (18, 11, 2 time winners (30, 50))

Uruguay finished 5th in their qualification group and had to play Costa Rica in a playoff to make the world cup final. CONEMBOL is one of the toughest qualification groups and South American teams always prove difficult opponents in the world cup. Uruguay finished qualifying on a high note by beating Argentina and then eliminating Costa Rica.
Diego Forlan, the former Man U player, is the big name in this side. He is a big time scoring threat against any of these teams and will cause problems for teams. He will be partnered by Luis Suarez, another goal scorer. These two together can reek havoc on their opponents, if they get enough supply of the ball from their midfield. The midfield is the big question for this team and will make or break them

South Africa (90, 3)

South Africa qualified as hosts of this world cup. Many believe that they would not otherwise have made it to the final and I tend to agree. However, no host has ever not made it to the knock out stages. There is something about playing for your home fans and in your home stadiums that cause these teams to over achieve (ie, France 98, Japan and South Korea 02).
Steven Pienaar is their best player and plays for Everton in England. He is a quality winger with good speed and touch on the ball. Gaxa is a solid left back who likes to get forward and will have his opportunities. Matt Booth is one of the most well known players and is very solid at center half. However, the question is where will the goals come from.
South Africa will try to build on its 4th place finish at the Confederations Cup last summer.


PREDICTIONS:

I honestly think France is going to crash out early this World Cup as they are lost without Zidane. The way the fixtures are set up lead me to think that Uruguay has a very good chance to finish top of the group with Mexico just behind them. I think Mexico are unlucky to have to play South Africa in the first game as South Africa will be hyped up and ready to go. The fans will be in full force and South Africa could win this though I see it ending as a tie. I see Mexico taking top spot with 5 points and winning on goal differential. Uruguay in second also on 5 points. France takes third on 3 points and South Africa finishes with 2 points.

Holland 2-USA 1

Alright, so my first post on my actual opinions is about to begin

First off, I'm a huge fan of the Dutch style of play and their flare so this game was a win-win for me no matter what happened. The Dutch played great and were the only team on the field in the first half. They dominated possession and more than deserved the lead at half. Some subs and then lake of desire at the end is what lead to the US goal and the attacking possession the US had in the last 10 minutes. Overall, the Dutch more than deserved the win and were clearly the better team. Elia, who I had the pleasure of watching for the first time, was a constant nuisance to the Americans and should have scored. Great young player. And Sneijder was his brilliant self in the middle, seemingly everywhere on the pitch.

On to the Americans who, needless to say, were not at their best today. Howard was of course brilliant in goal again making a great save on Van der Vaart toward the end. The goals were not his fault. The defense was shaky at best most of the game though DeMerit was strong in his defensive duties even if his touch is always a little heavy. It will be nice to have Onyewu back. Bocanegra was his normal self in the back and ended up scoring the only American goal. Spector on the right side played decently though we was left wanting for speed a few times by Elia and Robben. And his cross at the end was disappointing to say the least. Bornstein, who somehow played 80+ minutes, was just plain terrible. He was caught out for pace multiple times, pulled down Sneijder for the penalty and had the second goal bounce off of his chest. I think it is safe to say he lost his spot in South Africa. Pearce and Goodson came on in the second half and played decently. Goodson even made a nice acrobatic attempt off of a corner to almost tie the match. The midfield was non existent most of the game. The addition of Mo Edu in the second half was a great help. He played very well and in my opinion should be at South Africa. Torres didn't do much but did have that one glimmer or brilliance with a left footed blast from 30 yards that was dipping just a little late. Bradley was good defensively but was lacking in all other aspects of the game. His touch and passing was off and he looked out of place quite a few times. Donovan was very poor and only started making a difference once he was given freedom to roam (hint hint Bob Bradley). Holden looked good while he was in, I hope he comes back quickly. Beasley looked his old-self at times and looked poor at others, but I think his play earned him a closer look. Bedoya was a revelation for me. He played well, linking up with his teammates to create offensive possession and chances. He did look a little lost at times but it is only his second cap. Up top, we were once again poor. Not sure why Findley was even on the field cuz he didn't do anything at all. Altidore worked hard as usual but he can't do everything on his own. He has one great shot and one great move with the back heal but he needs more quality balls to his feet and better support from his mid field.

The Americans were second best for 80 minutes of the game and then came on in the last 10. I'm not sure if we put this up to two different US sides and the US can build off the last 10 or if it was cuz the Dutch thought the game was over and stopped really trying. Only time will tell.