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World Cup Preview : Groups C & D
Published by Ian John on May 30, 2010
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With just two weeks to go before the FIFA World Cup Finals kick off in South Africa, we begin our coverage of the world’s greatest football tournament by previewing each of the teams in each of the groups over a series of four articles and we continue today by featuring Groups C & D.
GROUP C
ENGLAND
Fabio Capello’s England travel to the finals as third favourites after an impressive qualifying campaign saw them lose only one game (their final, meaningless trip to the Ukraine). Injury has robbed the squad of the experience of David Beckham, but more worrying for England are fitness issues surrounding Wayne Rooney and the form of key men such as skipper Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and midfield talisman Steven Gerrard. If England get it right then they can be genuine contenders in the finals, especially if some of their newer squad members, such as Aaron Lennon and James Milner can prove their undoubted potential on the biggest stage of all. Question marks remain over the goalkeeper and the defence in general and Capello will need to resolve this if England are to live up to their billing as third favourites.
Key Man : Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Rooney has become central to England’s hopes of lifting the trophy once again. The Manchester United man has become the focal point of Capello’s new look team to such an extent that should he succumb to injury, then many critics feel England’s chances go with him. Niggling injuries over the last few months of the season have been a worry and England fans will be hoping and praying that Rooney can stay injury free and inspire England to a much stronger World Cup finals showing, perhaps even inspiring the team to glory in the final itself!
One to Watch : Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
If pace is a key asset in the modern game then you are going to be hard pushed to find a player as quick as Aaron Lennon in these finals. Tottenham’s fleet of foot winger is vying with another speed merchant, Theo Walcott, for the right side midfield slot in England’s team. Injury ruled Lennon out of most of the season following Christmas so he comes to the final fit and rested and that is a worrying thought for any left back set to face Lennon during the finals.
UNITED STATES
Bob Bradley takes his team to South Africa on the back of an outstanding showing in last summers Confederations Cup, when only a remarkable second half come back by Brazil saw them win the title in the final over the US, who had taken a remarkable 2-0 lead in the first half. Allied to that, the US became the first side to inflict defeat on Spain in over 20 games at that tournament in eliminating them in the Semi Final. England would do very well not to take this physically strong, technically gifted and talented team lightly. The shock 1-0 defeat to the US in the 1950 finals is still a bitter pill to swallow for many England fans and this US team is far more capable than those heroes of yesteryear.
Key Man : Landon Donovan (L.A.Galaxy)
Donovan is the figurehead of the US national team and a key player. His loan spell at Everton showcased his talents to the Premier League and it seems likely that the three teams in this group will have identified the L.A.Galaxy star and former nemesis of David Beckham, as the main threat for the US. Donovan can operate wide down either flank, centrally from midfield, as a trequartista or as an out and out striker and his guile, skill and invention will be a crucial component of Bob Bradley’s US team this summer.
One to Watch : Jozy Altidore (Benfica)
Altidore hasn’t enjoyed the best of years with Hull City, but there is no doubt that this powerful young striker has plenty more to offer. He’ll return to Benfica a better player after his time in the English Premier League, but the experience will also pay dividends for the United States team too. A strong showing from Altidore may well be crucial to any chance of the US progressing far into the tournament.
SLOVENIA
Slovenia qualified well from their group and will be captained by Robert Koren of West Bromwich Albion, though seemingly not for much longer as he is being linked with a move to another Premier League club. Slovenia will be targetting the games against the US and Algeria as the ones they are most likely to win if they are to progress into the second phase of the competition. Technically they have the skills to do so and they look a decent defensive unit, but do they have the attacking flair and goalscoring ability to worry the rest of the teams in Group B?
Key Man : Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem)
Slovenia have lacked a real World class star since their most capped player Zlatko Zahovic, retired from the game. Stevanovic is the man who is most likely to try and fill this creative role and score the goals. It is a somewhat thankless task replacing a legend of the game in your home country and Stevanovic is no Zahovic, but he has plenty to his game to cause any defence in Group B problems.
One to Watch : Rene Khrin (Inter)
Khrin is a very talented young player who may not, yet, make the finals squad. But if he does then expect to see him used mainly as a substitute. Khrin is making his way through the ranks at Inter Milan, which is tribute enough to his talents. A clever midfielder who uses the ball well, looks busy and who can instigate clever, incisive attacks with his passing, at 20 he still has a lot to learn but as he matures he should become a key player for Slovenia for many years to come.
ALGERIA
Algeria are the outsiders for this group and viewed by many as the weakest African team in the competition. Despite that, Algeria has a fine world cup pedigree, few fans will forget their sensational 2-1 defeat of eventual finalists West Germany in 1982. The African team has a history of upsetting the odds and their fans will be hoping that their players can do so once again this summer in South Africa.
Key Man : Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg)
Ziani made his name initially in French football as an elegant and crafy midfelders. Blessed with good vision, an abiliy to finish and something of a hot temper, Ziani has made the move into the Bundesliga with mixed results. For Algeria however, especially since Mourad Meghni will no longer make the trip, Ziani will be a key man in the midfield trying to create chances against three sides whose defences have proven to be less than secure at present.
One to Watch :Madjid Bougherra (Rangers)
Rangers centre back Bougherra has been one of the stronger performers for the Scottish Champions this season. Comfortable with the ball at his feet as well as being a tough competitor, it is easy to see why Bougherra is believed to be attracting plenty of interest from clubs in the Premier League. He will be the defensive lynchpin for Algeria in the finals this summer.
GROUP D
GERMANY
Germany are favourites to win a tough Group D but Joachim Low’s men face a tough task. Captain and team leader Michael Ballack is ruled out of the finals, as are Simon Rolfes and Rene Adler. Philip Lahm takes over as skipper and it will be an under strength German side that travels to South Africa to do battle in a very tough group. They will be strong, well organised and tough to break down but to win this group against three other very good sides may well be a tough act for Low’s German side. They should qualify for the second stage, but it could be a very close run thing.
Key Man : Lukasz Podolski (FC Koln)
With Miroslav Klose not getting any younger (and not even likely to start many games), Michael Ballack injured and Nuno Gomes form for the national team one of the most perplexing mysteries in football, German’s goalscoring threat will need to come from elsewhere and Podolski looks the man to answer that call. The German striker has an uncanny knack of scoring key goals and now that he is back in Koln after a disappointing spell with Bayern, he should be ready to answer his countries call.
One to Watch : Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen)
Ozil is a talented young player with great skills. Of Turkish descent, Ozil was the catalyst who fired Germany U21′s to the European U21 championship a couple of years ago and since then he has been a key player for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and moved into the full German squad. He hasn’t yet showed German fans what he is truly capable of just yet, but what better stage to showcase his talents on than the World Cup finals?
SERBIA
Sir Alex Ferguson is a pretty shrewd judge of football matters and when he says that the team he likes the look of most in the finals is Serbia, then you know that they have a team worth taking notice of. Many of this Serbian squad made their name in the European U21 Championship a few years back and you can add to them qualities of players like Vidic, Krasic and Zigic to name but three. This is a much, much stronger team than many people are giving them credit for and they could even surprise a few people by winning this group. Certainly, Germany are not going to have it all their own way in Group D.
Key Man : Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s angular defender is the rock on which this formidable Serbia defence is built. Uncompromising in his play, powerful, strong in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Vidic has become a key player at both club and national level. Linked strongly with a move to Spain during the off season, a series of good performances at Vidic will arguably make him a real candidate for the best centre half in world football at the moment.
One to Watch : Alexander Kolarov (Lazio)
The Lazio left back is quietly making a name for himself as one of the best left sided players in Serie A. He signed for Lazio in 1997 after some strong performances by Serbia in the European U21 Championships and has not looked back. Capable of playing left back, left midfield or even as a left winger, Kolarov is a technically strong defender, but also possesses a formidable shot from distance, especially at set pieces. He could become one of the stars of the tournament if Serbia progress deep into the competition.
GHANA
Ghana was rocked beore the finals began by the not wholly unexpected news that Mikael Essien would not be fit for the finals. Depriving the team of their best and most influential player is hardly likely to help Ghana’s cause but there is still enough talent in the squad for them to cause real problems for all the other teams in their group. Asmoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah will share goalscoring responsibilities, but their real weakness seems to be goalkeeping, if the performances at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year where, despite some truly awful goalkeeping, Ghana reached the final only to eventually lose to Egypt. They will be hoping to put up a strong showing in what looks to be a tough group.
Key Man : Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan have had a season for the annals of history this year, winning the league and cup double in Serie A and then capping that by lifting the Champions League in Madrid with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich on 22nd May. While he has played his part in this remarkable season, Muntari has often been a peripheral figure and his temper and attitude has seen him fall foul of the officials in Italy on more than one occasion this season. Ghana will be hoping that Muntari showcases his undoubted talents as a footballer for them during the finals, rather than his more petulant nature.
One to Watch : Haminu Draman (Lokomotive Moscow)
Draman (Not Dramani, which was a mis-spelling on an official FIFA document) is a pacy winger who has a blistering turn of pace. Very quick to get forward and able to terrorise even the best full backs (ask Brazilian right back Ilsinho who was given a torrid time by Draman in a friendly between the two sides). Draman’s importance to Ghana has grown since the news that Mikael Essien will not be fit for the finals.
AUSTRALIA
The Socceroos weren’t dealt a kind hand when placed in this group and despite the fact that they are probably fourth favourites to qualify from the group, that will faze this team not one jot. Don’t be fooled by the bookmakers prices, this group is wide open and this Australian team is good enough to give any of the other teams in the group a game. Whether they can reach the second stage will depend every much on the performances of key players but while the bookmakers would not have them down as likely to make the second stage, this is a team that thrives when they are the underdog and I am not so sure that Germany and Serbia are so nailed on to qualify fro this tough group and Australia look a decent bet to me to procure one of the qualifying spots.
Key Man : Tim Cahill (Everton)
Cahill is a truly outstanding box to box midfielder who has the uncanny knack of scoring crucial goals for both club and country. He was outstanding in the 2006 finals and earned himself a place in the team of the competition on the back of his performances. He is a vital component of the Aussie team, not just because of his goal threat and attacking ability, but also his strong all round game.
One to Watch : Harry Kewell (Galatasaray)
After looking one of the Premier League stars of the future at Leeds, injury seemed to halt Kewell in his tracks. A big money move to Liverpool turned into something of a flop as he never recovered his best form in a red shirt. Galatasaray snapped him up on a free and the Turkish league seems to suit Harry. He’s quickly become a darling of the Galatasaray faithful and he will hopefully showcase his undoubted talents on the world stage more expansively this summer, than he managed to at the last finals.
Image Courtesy of ***Wolli B ***on Flickr.com
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Naheem Charania on Thu, 3rd Jun 2010 11:06 am
Rooney-or-bust for Capello with those pathetic excuses for strikers he selected. He might as well have given up those four striker spots and used them to take 4 extra physios to care for Rooney. Emile ’5 goal season’ Heskey over Darren “I- scored-24-goals-with-Steed-Malbranque-and-a-busted-Lee-Cattermole-as-my-service” Bent?? That travesty alone deserves a first round knockout for England.
Nabyl Charania on Thu, 3rd Jun 2010 8:24 pm
I don’t get the Heskey for Bent pick either… maybe Don Capello has a plan that we know nothing about….
Ian John on Fri, 4th Jun 2010 12:49 pm
Heskey seems to be a Capello favourite because he seems to bring out the best in Rooney moreso than Crouch, Defoe or Bent. I think Bent is unlucky, I can understand why people wonder why Heskey got in ahead of him, but Heskey is a different kind of player and I can only assume that is it. Personally, I’d rather have taken Bent, Cole, Zamora or even Agbonlahor instead of Heskey but Capello sees something he likes. Other gripes are the inclusion of the apallingly ineffective Michael Carrick and SWP ahead of Theo Walcott. Heskey’s biggest contribution thus far has been to put Rio Ferdinand out of the World Cup completely, so he’s already got off to a dismal start…