World Cup 2010 Information, analysis
Friday, June 11, 2010
GROUP A
France
Mexico
South Africa
Uruguay
FAVORITE
Very few teams are playing better at the moment than Mexico. Recently beat Italy on neutral ground.
SLEEPER
Uruguay hasn’t done much since winning the World Cup in 1930 and 1950. Has the talent to make some noise.
KEY GAME
Uruguay vs. France, today: The winner will keep pace with Mexico, who draws South Africa first.
BEST PLAYER
French attacking midfielder Franck Ribery helped Bayern Munich win Bundesliga and German Cup titles and reach the Champions League final.
THE SKINNY
It’s rare to find a World Cup group where the host country is the worst team of the four, but that’s the case with South Africa this year. Mexico, buoyed by some young players, appears to have finally come into its own. France, a finalist in 2006, will be in a battle with Uruguay to advance, and Uruguay, with forwards Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, may have the edge.
GROUP B
Argentina
Greece
Nigeria
South Korea
FAVORITE
The world’s former No. 1 team, Argentina, has one of the easier brackets.
SLEEPER
This year’s South Korea team isn’t as strong as the 2002 squad that made the semifinals but doesn’t need to be in this group.
KEY GAME
Nigeria vs. South Korea, June 22: Nigeria plays Argentina first and will need to make up points.
BEST PLAYER
Lionel Messi, Argentina
The reigning World Player of the Year.
THE SKINNY
Unless coach Diego Maradona has a complete meltdown, Argentina should easily advance. After that, talent will have to carry the Argentines because Maradona will probably be outcoached in every game in the knockout stage. Nigeria and South Korea are not as strong as past World Cups, but they only have each other to worry about because Greece shouldn’t be a factor.
England striker Wayne Rooney, tight head, wirePaul Ellis/AFP/Getty ImagesEngland's Wayne Rooney
GROUP C
Algeria
England
Slovenia
United States
FAVORITE
In Fabio Capello, England finally hired the right coach.
SLEEPER
Underrated Slovenia upset Russia in a playoff to get here.
KEY GAME
England vs. United States, Saturday: Loser will need to win two straight.
BEST PLAYER
English forward Wayne Rooney was the second-leading scorer in the English Premier League.
THE SKINNY
England and the U.S. are clearly the best teams, but they play first and that’s a problem. The loser will face two must-win situations to advance, and if the winner of the Algeria-Slovenia game decides to put 10 players behind the ball and play for two ties, that could be difficult. The best scenario for the U.S. — whether it wins, loses or ties against England — is for the Algeria-Slovenia game to end in a tie.
GROUP D
Australia
Germany
Ghana
Serbia
FAVORITE
Germany has just too much pedigree for this group.
SLEEPER
Serbia has the best defense of the four teams.
KEY GAME
Serbia vs. Ghana, Sunday: The first game of the group sets the tone.
BEST PLAYER
For a defender, Germany’s Philipp Lahm attacks as well as he defends.
THE SKINNY
Germany, even with all its injuries, is the class of the group, but then it’s a toss-up between three teams for one place. Of the three, Serbia has the best defense, but Australia has the best goalkeeper in Mark Schwarzer. Ghana, without injured midfielder Michael Essien, its best player, will have the support of a continent, but may not be able to recover if it loses its opening game to Serbia.
GROUP E
Cameroon
Denmark
Japan
Netherlands
FAVORITE
Have you looked at the talent on the Netherlands’ roster? Of course, isn’t that always the case?
SLEEPER
A consistent second-tier European team, Denmark could make a run into the second round.
KEY GAME
Denmark vs. Cameroon, June 19: Both teams will lose to the Netherlands and beat Japan, so this one could determine which country escapes the group.
BEST PLAYER
Goal scoring by Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) helped Inter Milan and FC Barcelona win the past two Champions League titles.
THE SKINNY
The Netherlands, despite recent injuries, should win the group while Japan, which has never won a World Cup game outside its own country, doesn’t figure to do much. That leaves Denmark and Cameroon. Eto’o has a chip on his shoulder following critical comments by Cameroon legend Roger Milla, but the Danes can’t be overlooked.
GROUP F
Italy
New Zealand
Paraguay
Slovakia
FAVORITE
The defending champion Azzuri might be getting older, but Italy will still be kicking in South Africa.
SLEEPER
Slovakia will play lock-up defense and look to counterattack on offense.
KEY GAME
Paraguay vs. Slovakia, June 20: The second game for both. One may need to win, one may need just a tie.
BEST PLAYER
Gianluigi Buffon of Italy was the best goalie in 2006 World Cup. Not much has changed.
THE SKINNY
Italy, a notorious slow starter in major tournaments, has no excuses this time. This group couldn’t be easier for the defending champs. Paraguay, despite the loss of forward Salvador Cabanas, who was shot in the head (but survived) in Mexico Jan. 25, is the next-best team. Paraguay’s only problem is that it plays Italy first. Slovakia and New Zealand will have trouble scoring goals.
Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, with broken arm, wireIssouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty ImagesStriker Didier Drogba is practicing with Ivory Coast, despite a broken right arm, and apparently will try to play in the World Cup.
GROUP G
Brazil
Ivory Coast
North Korea
Portugal
FAVORITE
If Brazil, the world’s top-ranked team, isn’t the favorite, there should be an investigation.
SLEEPER
Even without star striker Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast will be tough to beat.
KEY GAME
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal, June 15: The loser will probably have to beat Brazil to advance beyond pool play.
BEST PLAYER
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal was 2008 World Player of the Year.
THE SKINNY
This was the Group of Death, but the injury to Drogba (broken right arm) takes a lot of the juice away — and was the best news Portugal could have had. Five-time champion Brazil (first) and the unknown North Korea (last) seem certain of their place. The battle was always going to be Ivory Coast-Portugal, but Drogba’s injury gives Portugal a definite edge.
GROUP H
Chile
Honduras
Spain
Switzerland
FAVORITE
Spain has only lost once in the past four years, albeit in the Confederations Cup last year in South Africa (to the United States).
SLEEPER
Chile finished second to Brazil in South American qualifying.
KEY GAME
Switzerland vs. Chile, June 21: Chile will be 1-0, Switzerland 0-1 when they play.
BEST PLAYER
Playmaker Xavi Hernandez of Spain can score goals just as easily as he sets them up.
THE SKINNY
Spain should roll into the knockout phase and could even rest some players along the way. Chile may be without leading scorer Humberto Suazo (hamstring) in its opener, but fortunately that’s against Honduras, so it shouldn’t matter. Switzerland, which played four games in 2006 and was eliminated without allowing a goal, has shown poor form lately but has the talent to advance.
SECOND ROUND
Mexico over Nigeria
England over Serbia
United States over Germany
Argentina over Uruguay
Netherlands over Paraguay
Brazil over Chile
Cameroon over Italy
Spain over Portugal
Chile and Paraguay are two of the sleepers of the tournament and could have advanced under other circumstances, but not against these opponents. CONCACAF gains the world’s respect.
QUARTERFINALS
Netherlands over Brazil
England over Mexico
Argentina over United States
Spain over Cameroon
CONCACAF’s great run is over, although the United States gives Argentina a tough game, possibly losing in overtime.
SEMIFINALS
Netherlands over England
Spain over Argentina
Netherlands finally exposes England’s back line and goalkeeper David James cannot stop the Dutch assault. Spain has too much talent for Argentina to overcome.
FINAL
Netherlands over Spain
The Dutch finally lose the tag of the best team never to win a World Cup.
ON TV
FIRST ROUND
Today
South Africa vs. Mexico, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Uruguay vs. France, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Tomorrow
South Korea vs. Greece, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Argentina vs. Nigeria, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
England vs. United States, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
Sunday
Algeria vs. Slovenia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Serbia vs. Ghana, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Germany vs. Australia, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
Monday
Netherlands vs. Denmark, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Japan vs. Cameroon, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Italy vs. Paraguay, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday
New Zealand vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Brazil vs. North Korea, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday
Honduras vs. Chile, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Spain vs. Switzerland, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
South Africa vs. Uruguay, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday
Argentina vs. South Korea, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Nigeria vs. Greece, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Mexico vs. France, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
June 18
Germany vs. Serbia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
United States vs. Slovenia, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
England vs. Algeria, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
June 19
Netherlands vs. Japan, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Australia vs. Ghana, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Denmark vs. Cameroon, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
June 20
Paraguay vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Italy vs. New Zealand, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
June 21
North Korea vs. Portugal, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Switzerland vs. Chile, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Spain vs. Honduras, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
June 22
Mexico vs. Uruguay, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
France vs. South Africa, 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Nigeria vs. South Korea, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Greece vs. Argentina, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
June 23
United States vs. Algeria, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Slovenia vs. England, 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Ghana vs. Germany, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Australia vs. Serbia, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
June 24
Slovakia vs. Italy, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Paraguay vs. New Zealand, 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Denmark vs. Japan, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Cameroon vs. Netherlands, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
June 25
Portugal vs. Brazil, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
North Korea vs. Ivory Coast, 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Chile vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Switzerland vs. Honduras, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
SECOND ROUND
June 26
Match 49: Group A winner vs. Group B second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Match 50: Group C winner vs. Group D second place, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
June 27
Match 51: Group D winner vs. Group C second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Match 52: Group B winner vs. Group A second place, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
June 28
Match 53: Group E winner vs. Group F second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Match 54: Group G winner vs. Group H second place, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
June 29
Match 55: Group F winner vs. Group E second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Match 56: Group H winner vs. Group G second place, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
QUARTERFINALS
July 2
Match 57: Match 53 winner vs. Match 54 winner, 10 a.m. (ESPN)
Match 58: Match 49 winner vs. Match 50 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
July 3
Match 59: Match 52 winner vs. Match 51 winner, 10 a.m. (Ch. 7)
Match 60: Match 55 winner vs. Match 56 winner, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
SEMIFINALS
July 6
Match 58 winner vs. Match 57 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
July 7
Match 59 winner vs. Match 60 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
THIRD PLACE
July 10
Semifinal losers, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
FINAL
July 11
Semifinal winners, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)
Labels: Analysis
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