Features, Ian John, World Cup 2010 POSTS

Deciphering The World Cup : Part One : The Group Stages

Published by Ian John on June 8, 2010

Psst… Want to know who is going to win the World Cup? I’ve already worked it out…

You see FIFA’s fixture system means that with a bit of guesswork and estimation, combined with a smattering of football knowledge and a dose of good fortune, you can accurately map each teams route to the second phase and beyond and here’s how its going to go…

Group A : (South Africa, France, Uruguay and Mexico)
Admittedly on paper, this wasn’t the most appealling group when drawn, but as we approach the finals, this is arguably the most open group of all. South Africa and Mexico have found real form entering the finals, France seem to have lost theirs and Uruguay are capable of beating any team on their day. All six clashes in this group are evenly matched and I can foresee a shock or two from the group. Despite being on home soil I can’t see South Africa doing enough to qualify and I must admit to having a sneaking feeling that the French may well struggle too. I think Uruguay will top the group on goal difference from Mexico just ahead of the disappointed French and South Africans. Qualifiers : 1. Uruguay, 2. Mexico.

Group B : (South Korea, Greece, Nigeria, Argentina)
On paper one of the easiest groups to decipher really. Argentina will be far too strong for South Korea and Greece and should come through the more testing opening game with Nigeria without too many problems. Nigeria will edge out a toothless Greece and workmanlike South Korea to take the second qualifying spot. Qualifiers : 1. Argentina, 2. Nigeria

Group C : (England, United States, Slovenia, Algeria)
Despite being hot favourites in the group, I don’t think England will have it all their own way. The Three Lions will qualify for the second stage, but they will have a few worrying moments I am sure. The United States should be good enough to hold off the determined challenge of Slovenia and I don’t think Algeria are quite as bad a team as many are making out. England will win the group, but not with maximum points and the US will edge second ahead of Slovenia. Qualifiers : 1. England, 2. United States

Group D : (Ghana, Australia, Serbia, Germany)
Time for my first controversial prediction. I back Serbia to win this tough group as I think they are in better shape than Germany at the moment. Whether the German side even makes it to the second round is open to question as I think Australia could push them hard. Ghana are talented but with Essien out and real worries over their goalkeeper, I can’t see the African’s posing too much of a threat in this group. It’s Serbia for me with the Germans just pipping the Aussies to the second qualifying spot. Qualifiers : 1. Serbia, 2.Germany

Group E : (Denmark, Japan, Cameroon, Holland)
It’s hard to look past the in form Dutch for the group winners in Group E and so I’m not even going to try. However which team finishes second is more problematic. Denmark are not in the best form, Japan have problems with the manager and Cameroon have their own problems with Samuel Eto’o. That said the winner of the Denmark – Cameroon clash should take the 2nd spot and I think the European side will be just too strong on the day. Qualifiers : 1.Holland, 2.Denmark

Group F : (Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia)
Italy are not in the best of form at the moment and won’t have it all their own way in this group. New Zealand have little chance of gaining a point, let alone qualifying, so it looks a three horse race. Slovakia however are one of the weaker European sides and with Paraguay improving and looking strong in qualification, I think they will qualify comfortably from the group with the Italians. Qualifiers : 1. Italy, 2.Paraguay

Group G : (Ivory Coast, Brazil, Portugal, North Korea)
The Group of Death seems to have become more defined in recent weeks. Not even the inclusion of a striker as a goalkeeper gives North Korea any chance in this group. Drogba’s injury really harms the Ivory Coast chances while Brazil roll on imperious through their friendly games and Portugal have a fit and in form Ronaldo. I don’t think this group will be quite as close as we expected when the draw was made and I think the two favourites will qualify before they have to face each other in the third game. Qualifiers : 1. Brazil, 2.Portugal

Group H : (Spain, Switzerland, Chile, Honduras)
First of all, Spain will qualify from the group, probably with three wins and a healthy goal difference to boot. The race is really for second place. Honduras seem to be out of the reckoning according to most pundits, but I am not so sure that they are as weak as the bookmakers odds suggest. Chile will probably edge it ahead of Switzerland but I think the Swiss may rue dropping points against Honduras as the reason they failed to progress. Qualifiers : 1.Spain, 2. Chile

Join us again in our next article when we look at the Eight games the schedule gives us for the Second phase of the World Cup and follow the progress as we work out just who is going to reach the final and be crowned World Cup Winners 2010…

Image Courtesy of ***Shine 2010 : 2010 World Cup Good News*** on Flickr.com

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