Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts

WC 2010: Group B (The Spark and the Streakers)

Teams:

Argentina

Nigeria

South Korea

Greece


Argentina- Albicelestes (White and Sky blue):

What can I say about Argentina? There are only a few countries that even non-soccer fans can name when asked, “Who are the best soccer teams in the world?” and Argentina is one of them. They are led by arguably the “Greatest Soccer Player Ever” Diego Maradona, who may be more of a liability than help with his fiery unpredictable personality. If Argentina is going to make a run at its third World Cup title, than they will undoubtedly need a world class performance from, “The Best Player in the World” Lionel Messi. Leo Messi has captivated the world in such a short time while playing at Barcelona. Anything short of winning it all would be a failure with the explosive players up top (Tevez, Messi and Higuain) and the veterans in the back. Don’t cry for me …as we may do enough for all of Argentina.

Player to watch: Tevez “Apache” (Does not get the attention of Messi but led the team in goals in Qualifying)

World Cup Titles: 1978 & 1986

Qualified: 4th in CONMEBOL (South America)


Nigeria- Super Eagles

Missing the World Cup in 2006 after making 3 straight Nigeria is trying to reclaim their place as Africa’s best. The Super Eagles are a dangerous team with the speed and athleticism always on display. This team lacks the star power of the Nigerian teams of the 90’s, but has recognizable veterens in John Obi Mikel (Chelsea Midfielder) and Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth and Arsenal). Even if they don’t win a match the will have some great goal celebrations.

Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie (fast striker that can change the game quickly)

Best World Cup Finish: 1994 & 1998 2nd Round

Qualified: 1st in CAF (Africa) Group B


South Korea- Taeguk Warriors

The pride of Asian Soccer, South Korea look to duplicate their shocking run from the 2002 World Cup (Semi-finals). South Korea will be led by a few 30 something’s and the “Fab Four” (I know they don’t even compare to the REAL “Fab Four”) Park Ji-sung (Man United), Lee Chung-young (Bolton), Ki Sung-yong (Celtic) and Park Chu-young (AS Monaco). They will need the “Red Devils” (Korea fans who are decked out in red) to rekindle some of the fire from 2002 or it could an early exit. Insert here, lame joke about this team and having Seoul.

Player to watch: Park Chu-young (AS Monaco striker who might end up as South Korea’s best ever)

Best World Cup Finish: 2002 Semi-Finals

Qualified: 1st in AFC (Asia) Group 2


Greece- To Piratiko (The Pirate Ship)

With all the turmoil in Greece, the Greek people and these pirates could really some good news. Unfortunately, even the gods can’t help them in their second ever appearance in the World Cup Finals. Greece winning Euro 2004 beating the best in the world proves they have the fire to put together a little run. Do not expect excitement when watching this team, as they lack any sort of star power. Having a 71-year-old coach, in Otto Rehhagel, does not count as experience. Should be a Big Fat Greek Lose.

Player to watch: Theofanis Gekas (Nomadic talisman Scored 10 goals in Qualifying)

Best World Cup Finish: 1994 1st Round

Qualified: 2nd in UEFA (Europe) Group 2

Predicted Finish:

Argentina

South Korea

Nigeria

Greece

Game to Watch:

Argentina v South Korea June 17th 12:30(Lack of defense for Korea and scoring power for Argentina= Goooooooooals!!!)


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WC 2010: Group A (Host Group)


Teams:

South Africa

Mexico

Uruguay

France


South Africa- Bafana Bafana (The Boys):

After watching Invictus it is easy to see and understand why this World Cup, in this country, on this continent is so important and remarkably possible. Unfortunately, Bafana Bafana will not come close, to the success the Springboks had in the 1996 Rugby World Cup. But in last years Confederations Cup, a warm-up to this year’s tournament pairing the Champions from each Confederation, South Africa took Spain to the wire and lost by one goal to Brazil. This should be the first time a host nation fails to reach the 2nd Round. At least they still have Rugby!

Player to watch: Steven Pienaar (Everton Midfielder who will be the face of this team)

Best World Cup Finish: 1998 & 2002 1st Round

Qualified: As host country

Mexico- El Tri (after the three colours or “tricolor” on the Mexican flag):

The Best Team in the World…so thinks Mexico. This talented team changes coaches as frequent as Heidi Montag has surgery. With Cuauhtémoc Blanco (37 years old) returning to international play, so did Mexico’s World Cup dreams. There is no doubt Mexico produces incredible individual talent, but somewhere the word team or teammate was not translated correctly. Its is vital for head coach Javier Aguirre to keep his young players like Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Giovani Dos Santos (Galatasaray) and Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna) focused if Mexico will have any success.

Player to watch: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Veracruz and former Chicago Fire Midfielder led his much younger teammates in Qualifying goals)

Best World Cup Finish: 1970 & 1986 Quarterfinals

Qualified: 2nd in CONCACAF (North America)

Uruguay- La Celeste (The Sky Blue):

Sixty long years since Uruguay hoisted the Cup. Since 1950 they have settled in as a middle of the pack team in South America where Qualifying is questionable at best. This team struggles to find an identity as they could almost be called Argentina Lite. This idea is expressed again with the nickname of Nicolas Lodeiro “the Uruguayan Messi” (Messi 2009 FIFA Player of the Year from Argentina). Uruguay may want to party like it’s 1950, but they will most likely party like it’s 1999.

Player to watch: Diego Forlan (Athletico Madrid Striker and veteran can put himself in the top group of strikers with a solid performance)

World Cup Titles: 1930 & 1950

Qualified: 5th in CONMEBOL (South America) Defeated Costa Rico in a playoff

France- Les Bleus (The Blues):

Will the real French team please report to the field? A qualification stamped by the controversial handball of French Legend Thierry Henry brings the question. How can a team, with as much talent and skill as any in the world, struggle to qualify, loose one of the greatest players of all-time in Zinedine Zidane, still compete to win a World Cup Title? Enter Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Thierry Henry…and so on. The only match between former World Cup Champions should tell us if the French team we love to watch will be in South Africa. At least Henry has a chance to rewrite his final chapter.

Player to watch: Thierry Henry (Barcelona and Arsenal striker. Henry’s first International match was against South Africa now his final will be in South Africa)

World Cup Titles: 1998

Qualified: 2nd in UEFA (Europe) Group 7 Defeated Ireland in a playoff

Predicted Finish:

France

Mexico

South Africa

Uruguay

Game to Watch:

South Africa v Mexico June 11th 10:00am (It is the opening match, enough said)

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World Cup 2010

I have been thinking about the approaching World Cup in South Africa with excitement. As it gets closer and closer, more and more people, who do not follow soccer very much or at all start asking me questions about it. I have decided to breakdown the groups and teams in the World Cup. You can call it a crash course/ World Cup for Dummies blog. Every few days I will break down another group until I select who I think will lift the trophy in July.

Stay tuned...for the 2 people that read this.

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