World Cup Prospects

by Dario

The long road of qualification to World Cup 2010 South Africa has proved to be full of surprises, with the failure of teams such as Russia, Croatia, and Egypt, to qualify. Now that it is over, it's time to pick who we think the winners and losers will be. The 32 teams are sorted into eight groups, from which the top two will advance to the final tournament.

My Predictions: (December 09 World Rankings)

Group A. 1st France (7) 2nd Mexico (17) 3rd South Africa (85) 4th Uruguay (20)
Despite a shaky qualification, in which France finished behind Serbia, France still is easily the best team in this group, and should finish first. Mexico also, has made it to the second round in the four last World Cups and a fifth trip is very possible. Le Celeste (Uruguay) and Bafana Bafana (South Africa) are the outsiders in this group, but one of them will probably advance if Mexico drops a game.
Game to Watch: South Africa vs. France: 12 years ago, World Cup Hosts France defeated South Africa 3-0. If South Africa can pull off a win or at least a tie, it will spell trouble for France's hopes of advancing.

Group B. 1st Greece (13) 2nd Argentina (8) 3rd Nigeria (22) 4th Korea Republic (52)
Argentina is full of big names, but recently they have not been able to translate it into wins. Nigeria, on the other hand lacks the depth it had in its last World Cup outings. Greece is the only team in this group that was impressive in qualifying, and the Euro 2004 champions should advance at the top of the group.
Game to watch: Argentina vs. Nigeria: These teams will both be battling for second place; the first game of Group B will decide which will advance.

Group C. 1st England (9) 2nd USA (14) 3rd Algeria (26) 4th Slovenia (31)
England is overwhelmingly the favorite to win here, and the USA actually now has the depth and experience to advance to the second stage this time around. Both Algeria and Slovenia barely squeezed into the cup, but they will looking take advantage of every oppurtunity the English-speaking favorites give them.
Game to Watch: England vs. USA: The USA is a better team than it was when they upset England in the 1990 World Cup. This is England's toughest match in the group if they lose, will not take 1st Place.

Group D. 1st Germany (6) 2nd Australia (21) 3rd Ghana (34) 4th Serbia (21)
One of the tougher groups in this cup, Germany will be looking to win, but all three of the other teams will be realistically aiming for 2nd Place. All of the teams in this group finished in 1st place in their respective qualifying groups.
Game to Watch: Any, really.

Group E. 1st Netherlands (3) 2nd Cameroon (11) 3rd Japan (43) 4th Denmark (28)
Netherlands won all their games in qualification, but against teams like Norway, and Scotland. Both Denmark and Japan had solid qualifying campaigns, but look to highly ranked Cameroon to advance.
Game to Watch: Netherlands vs. Denmark: Denmark has won five of the last six encounters with The Netherlands, who had an extremely easy qualification group and will have to prove they can win against a World Cup opponent

Group F. 1st Italy (4) 2nd Paraguay (29) 3rd Slovakia (33) 4th New Zealand (82)
Italy is looking to win the cup again, and will probably not drop any games here, while Paraguay has a talented squad that finished with ten wins in qualification. Slovakia, competing for the first time not as Czechoslovakia, and New Zealand, absent since 1982, are the outsiders.
Game to Watch: Italy vs. Paraguay: The group favorites play in the opening match, and the losers will face pressure from Paraguay.

Group G. 1st Brazil (2) 2nd Cote d'Ivoire (16) 3rd Portugal (5) 4th Korea DPR (86)

Brazil should win this extremely tough group, and Cote d'Ivoire should also advance, unless Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) can make a difference. Korea DPR was lucky to make into the tournament and unless they can bring back the power that led them to the quater-finals in 1966, should make an early exit.

Game to Watch: Portugal vs. Korea DPR: In 1966 Korea DPR led 3-0 in a match against Portugal before giving up five goals. If Korea DPR can beat or even tie Portugal, the Portuguese will not advance.

Group H. 1st Spain (1) 2nd Chile (15) 3rd Switzerland (18) 4th Honduras (37)
Spain, #1 in the world, will advance without complication. It is then up to Chile and Switzerland to fight for 2nd place. Honduras does not have the wealth of talent of the other teams, but is no pushover at this level.
Game to Watch: Chile vs. Switzerland: Whoever wins here will probably get 2nd Place.

Links:
Matchlist: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html
Tournament Bracket: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html
Calendar: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/calendar.html