GROUP F
NEW ZEALAND
Team sucks. Weak. Australia owns you.
Player to watch: Jeremy Brockie - No idea who he is. Jeremy sounds tough and plays for Newcastle. Nope the Newcastle Jets. Ya, this team is that good.
Group Prediction: DNF. Just kidding, but seriously.
ITALY
The defending champions are coming into the tournament old as usual and playing like dog. As usual. Nobody expects them to do anything once again, but their draw is quite easy. They linger in the dark in hopes of making another run at a title, but this time I think age actually catches up them. Still, having Buffon in your net will automatically put your team in title contention and the amount of diving this team makes it oscar worthy to watch.
Player to watch: Alberto Gilardino - Finding form again, the born again striker will be key to the Italian strategy of getting the first and defending til the cows come home. It'll still be interesting to see how the forwards react up top knowing their goals will crucial to any hope of glory.
Group Prediction: 1st. ON name only. Paraguay is going to push this team. An easy draw to get through, but after that it's hard. If 1st, a date will Spain lingers in the quarters.
PARAGUAY
This South American team qualified strongly finishing tied for second on points with Uruguay, only a point off of Brazil. They can play and have shown they can beat top quality teams in the world cup as well as mediocre teams (HEYYYYYYY GREECE). Paraguay can score, defend, and will surprise people in this tournament. This is an easy two pick even though their top goal scorer was shot in the head and won't be playing.
Player to watch: Roque Santa Cruz - Had a bad year after Mark Hughes left so maybe the international stage is where he can gain some of his form back. Mancini left him on the bench, so Santa Cruz maybe auditioning for a new team in the fall.
Group Predicition: 2nd. Shouldn't have difficulty. A date with the Dutch lingers if second happens, but don't be surprised if 1st occurs here. This team is coming to play.
SLOVAKIA
This team sits as a dark horse of the tournament will a bunch of high level skill players playing in the top leagues across Europe. Lead by Martin Skrtel, the Slovaks will come into the group with a chance of outlasting Paraguay for second. They qualified first out of their group beating out a country they split with, the Czech, and scored 22 goals. Yet, their recent form has slipped, and I believe it will be a shell shock situation for the team come next week.
Player to watch: Vladimir Weiss - Youngin' who can produce from midfield. He may be the bolt of energy this team needs to get through to the second round.
Group Prediction: 3rd. Paraguay is going to surprise people and their second group day meeting will most likely decide who moves on.
GROUP G
NORTH KOREA
I'lll get it out the way. These guys are going to be totally outclassed and sent packing early. Might be the worst team in the tournament going up against 3 powerhouse teams. These teams are going to use this game as a friendly/goal difference run-up.
Player to watch: Don't watch. In all honesty, just don't.
Group Prediction: It's a three team race for 2 spots. GUESS WHAT TEAM SHOULDN'T BE HERE.
PORTUGAL
The enigma of the qualifying round, this team struggled hardcore to get here. Thus, why they are group with Brazil and Ivory Coast. You know him as Ronaldo, I know him as Gimme your girlfriend, will be the lighting bolt for Portugal to get passed the group stage. Nani got dumped out of the squad with an injury problem( it's that time of the month). Keep this team injury free and they're one of the best teams in the world. Keep this team not injury free, and they suck. I think that's easy to understand.
Player to watch: Hugo Almeida - This team has rounded into form with 2 straight convincing wins led by his goal scoring. Ronaldo needs someone else to help out with anything and Almeida might be that guy.
Group Prediction: 2nd. Drogba getting hurt, yet still playing helps this team. With a healthy Drogba, I think this is a much tougher call. They start with "The Coast" in its first match and that will be an early litmus test
IVORY COAST
Didier Drogba might be the face of this world cup so his injury is going to be the cause for concern when the World Cup begins. He leads this team as its captain and scores goals. His flair for Italianism gets him in trouble, but when he focuses on playing the game the right way, he can play. BUT YAHH STILL GOT SVEN ON YUR SIDE YAHHH. If this team doesn't listen to Sven, they might be better off.
Player to Watch: Yaya Toure: Along with is brother Kolo, the Toures are a cool story. Yaya is the subject of a lot of transfer rumors with a grounded fielder most likely to get ever more crowded with Cesc possibly coming. He will be vital to possession and possible goal scoring opportunities.
Group Prediction: 3rd. A healthy Drogba still means a difficult task but I still don't see the "best team in Africa" getting through. It will be a crushing blow if they cant get it done.
BRAZIL
The Joga Bonito artists are back in true form looking for their 6th World Cup victory led by coach Tony Dunga. Not Dungy. Same pansy mold though. Dunga based most of his picks off his feelings and not real true form. Yes, Dinho got left off the squad cuz he's old. But go look at what he was doing this year. He was not even the worst selection left off the squad. Where is Pato? He's young and electric up front, and was a catalyst for AC Milan. That is hard to see why. But, this group is talented and will bring the true style of Brazilian football to the World Cup.
Player to Watch: Robinho - It'll be interesting to see how his season back in Brazil with Santos will affect how he plays against top talent. He has the quality to be the best player in the tournament.
Group Prediction: 1st. This guys are good and it will show. However, there is always the chance freak injuries happen and this team could be prone to it. Dinho will haunt them.
No set pieces today since there's enough to read. I'll give some extras tomorrow...
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