World Cup 2010

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Anybody else with some interest in the world game ?

The groups for the 2010 world cup are now set :

Group A

- South Africa
- Mexico
- Uruguay
- France

HMC comments : South Africa may struggle to survive the group stage (if they don't make it, I hope that this will not lead to a loss of interest in the country). They will need to beat 'we only got here because of cheating Henry' France to make it to the last 16 (last game in this group). The tricolore team is aging and has been poor lately, so hopefuly South Africa should at least have a chance (and France have started a little 'trend' lately of doing well - 1998 winners - choking - 2002 first round exit - doing well - 2006 runers up - choking 2010 ?). Mexico should win this group and Uruguay is probably the weakest team (they may be double world champion, but mentioning the 1930 and 1950 wins is like Collingwood boasting about all their flags...).

HMC prediction : Mexico and South Africa to advance.

Group B

- Argentina
- Nigeria
- South Korea
- Greece

HMC comments : This is a very unpredictable group. Two time world champion Argentina, with player of the year Messi, will probably still be considered one of the favourites, but has struggled just to qualify and may struggle with the selfish and crazy antics of coach Maradona. Two time African chamption Nigeria is historically one of the strongest African teams, but appear to have lost some of their magic (did not qualify 2006). Greece may have won the 2004 European championship (still one of the biggest upsets in football history), but has never been a factor in big tournaments otherwise. Korea was strong (semifinal) during their own world cup 2002 and is one of the strongest Asian teams.

HMC prediction : Argentina and South Korea to advance.

Group C

- England
- USA
- Algeria
- Slovenia

HMC comments : England should cruise through the first round (no penalty shoot outs in the first round...). Slovenia and Algeria will be happy to have qualified through their play-off matches (eliminating favoured Russia - with Guus Hiddink - and Egypt respectively), though some may remember Algeria's upset in 1982 when they beat Germany in the first round. The USA have improved now that soccer has established itself as a serious game (for men) and should also make the next round.

HMC prediction : England and USA to advance.

Group D

- Germany
- Australia
- Serbia
- Ghana

HMC comments : Three time champion Germany is traditionally a favourite for any big tournament and should easily make the next round. Serbia may have qualified ahead of France, but France are only a shadow of their former self and Serbia failed to beat France in the process. Ghana will rely on their midfield star Essien (Chelsea - playing with German's captain Ballack) and, like all African teams, will feel an extra motivation to do well. Australia will be the underdog, but should have a chance to make the last 16 again (provided they find the 2006 spirit again - their ultra defensive one goalie, nine defenders and Cahill for a miracle goal tactics of the qualifying stage will not work against the big boys).

HMC prediction : Germany and Australia to advance.

Group E

- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Japan
- Cameroon

HMC comments : Another rather unpredictable group. The Netherlands will probably play the most attractive fotball again, but are prone to choke once they play the other favourites (in the later rounds). Denmark is another former European suprise, winning the 1992 cup, but also unlikely to repeat such success. I consider Japan the best Asian team which should also be too good for Cameroon (Roger Milla won't play...).

HMC prediction : Netherlands and Japan to advance.

Group F

- Italy
- Paraguay
- New Zealand
- Slovakia

HMC comments : No problems whatsoever for the defending champion. I cannot say a lot about the other three (none of which trigger any particular thoughts why they could be a factor), so I'll keep my fingers crossed for the Kiwis.

HMC prediction : Italy and New Zealand to advance.

Group G

- Brazil
- North Korea
- Ivory Coast
- Portugal

HMC comments : By far the strongest group (apart from lonely North Korea - the Italians are probably happy to not have them in their group, having lost against them in a huge upset during the 1966 cup). Ivory Coast (with Chelsea's superstar Drogba) is probably the strongest African team and Portugal (despite struggling through the qualifiers) with superstar Christiano Ronaldo will been keen to finally have a result at the world stage. No need to say a lot about Brazil - the five time champion will always be one of the top favourites.

HMC prediction : Brazil and Ivory Coast to advance.

Group H

- Spain
- Switzerland
- Honduras
- Chile

HMC comments : Easy draw for top favourite Spain. Honduras (along with New Zealand) are - with all due respect - probably the weakest team of the entire tournament and neither Switzerland nor Chile will be a problem for the current European champions and No. 1 FIFA ranked team. I'll tip the Swiss to join them in the second round - somebody has to come in second in this group...

HMC prediction : Spain and Switzerland to advance.

 

[pacemaker]

good write up


I dont think new zealand will advance though

 

[samwise]

[youtube]ngQ6mBPZB5g[/youtube]

Love that video, gives me shivers everytime. Definitely the best sport in the world simply because it is so global..if AFL was worldwide it would be the best.

 

[bluejay]

I will cheer for Australia, like in the last WC, but they are in the group of the death!! It's going to be very difficult for them to advance.

Anyway, as long as Spain doesn't win it all, I will be happy, hehe.

 

[bisazc887]

I would be very suprised if South Korea finish ahead Nigeria, and Greece

NZ are no chance of progressing

Great sport, cant wait

 

[bisazc887]

Samuel Eto and his men will be a few classes too good for Japan too IMHO

 

[Michael Scarn]

bump.

Not good signs after the game against NZ?

Hopefully we'd been training hard and were a bit sore. :S

 

[bisazc887]

Yeah we looked like crap to be honest about things. We can only hope that with Kennedy and Kewell in there aswell as Schwartzer in goals that he can get us to click alot better than that, Bresh looked way underdone and ive never seen cahill so frustrated

 

[Michael Scarn]

Agreed. All areas of the park need a lift atm. But, i have full faith in pim and the side we have to make it to the 2nd round.

 

[samwise]

Don't know whether to go for England or Australia...if England win then surely it will be the Saints year as well which would also make me much richer
1 day to go though cant wait! Footy in the day Soccer at night...amazing!

 

[bisazc887]

Yeah who needs sleep for a few weeks

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I've been saving my annual leave since Aug 2006...

'ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go !

 

[Michael Scarn]

Although i can't think of a worse time than 4:30am, it has to be done! Get the coffee going!

 

[the emergency]

Hello.
I am posting in this thread at 5.34am
I have not slept yet, and dont plan on sleeping for some time
This month will be the death of me.
That is all.

 

[Michael Scarn]

Hello.
I am posting in this thread at 5.34am
I have not slept yet, and dont plan on sleeping for some time
This month will be the death of me.
That is all.

let us know how that goes for you

 

[CHBench]

For the better educated; what are the USA's chances tonight against England?

Only thing better than England losing is Australia winning, and since i don't give us much of a chance of getting more than a draw against our group opponents, i need to reap some enjoyment from an England fail. So is it worth getting up to possibly see England crash and burn or are they too good for the seppos?

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I see England as one of the top favourites (along with Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands), but then again, the USA are a sleeping giant when it comes to 'soccer' football and would love to beat England.

Should be a good one - worth getting up for, I think (and the earlier Argentina v Nigeria game sounds tasty, too).

 

[the emergency]

I see England as one of the top favourites (along with Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands), but then again, the USA are a sleeping giant when it comes to 'soccer' football and would love to beat England.

Should be a good one - worth getting up for, I think (and the earlier Argentina v Nigeria game sounds tasty, too).

Gotta disagree with you, HMC, England are going to sorely miss their general in defence Rio Ferdinand, and David Beckham, despite his age, is more than capable of popping up for a goal.

I reckon that Spain and Brazil are clear favourites, but if Italy can remain as miserly in defence as they were four years ago, coupled with having one of the world's best keepers in Buffon, they are going to be verrry hard to score against, it all depends whether Pirlo recovers from injury in time for the round of 16 (they wont have any trouble getting through their group)

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I don't think that Ferdinand is too much of a loss. Sure, he's a decent defender, but not a teamplayer (I never understood why they made him captain anyway) and him being away will be better for morale.

I am amongst those who see the fantastic footballer in Beckham and agree that England is a better team with him, but then again, even before his achilles injury, he was not the player he once was. And he cannto take a penalty if he doesn't play.

But I agree that Spain and Brazil will be hard to beat (I don't see a big tournament for defending champions Italy or the other former winners France, Germany and Argentina - and Uruguay).

 

[the emergency]

I don't think that Ferdinand is too much of a loss. Sure, he's a decent defender, but not a teamplayer (I never understood why they made him captain anyway) and him being away will be better for morale.

I am amongst those who see the fantastic footballer in Beckham and agree that England is a better team with him, but then again, even before his achilles injury, he was not the player he once was. And he cannto take a penalty if he doesn't play.

But I agree that Spain and Brazil will be hard to beat (I don't see a big tournament for defending champions Italy or the other former winners France, Germany and Argentina - and Uruguay).

Yeah, I'm not sure why they did make Ferdinand captain, but he is a world class defender, and i think he will be missed
Beckham is still fairly quick and is still one of the most deadly shots at goal off a free in the world.

I dunno, maybe I'm just an idiot, maybe I'm sleep deprived, but i dont really rate England that highly, and dont think they will come close to winning the World Cup... sure, as long as they win against the US in a few hours, theyll win their group (cant see them losing to Slovenia or Algeria), but if they come first in their group and are (god forbid) victorious in the second round against Australia (who will hopefully come second in their group), they will most likely be against Argentina coming into the quarter finals, and, if victorious, Brazil in the semis... games i cant see them winning...

 

[the emergency]

I'm tipping Messi to go on an absolute rampage against Nigeria tonight

 

[the emergency]

Just as i expected - Messi is dancing through the Nigerian defence

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Well, that was a disappointing performance from England - apologies if you did get up based on my advice, CHB.

Then again, they should easily beat Algeria and Slovenia, still time to hit some form. Assuming that the USA will also record two wins, it will be interesting to see who will finish top of group C (remember that this group will face the Australia group in the next round - 1st v 2nd and 2nd v 1st).

Can't wait for tonight, if Australia ever has a chance to beat Germany it will be tonight. Germany typically has a slow start into big tournaments and has suffered a number of big injuries lately (including captain Michael Ballack).

 

[Michael Scarn]

Surely Australia just need to look at the bigger picture of not conceeding too many goals. The fixture works out well for us, in case we are scratchy in our first game. We can afford to be scratchy against a team we won't beat anyway, and save our better form for the must-win games.

 

[the emergency]

Surely Australia just need to look at the bigger picture of not conceeding too many goals. The fixture works out well for us, in case we are scratchy in our first game. We can afford to be scratchy against a team we won't beat anyway, and save our better form for the must-win games.

It's not our defensive record that is the problem - it's our inability to kick goals.
With Viduka gone, and Kewell (unfortunately) past his peak, we generally rely on Cahill and Kennedy to kick our goals, which can become one dimensional at times