Over the next week and a half, I'll be putting forth my preview of each team and group, predictions, and things to watch for in the upcoming month. You can check back each day, as I'll be doing two groups at a time, 8 teams, for the first week and then possible knockout round predictions in the week that follows leading up to kick-off on the 11th with South Africa and Mexico. With each day, I'll be getting more excited, assuming you will be too. So onto the good stuff.
Today will be longer than normal because I just want to write. So deal. It's called passion. Read it. Let me know what you think.
GROUP A
SOUTH AFRICA
The "Bafana Bafana" will this year's host country, receiving an automatic bid to play and not qualifying. If qualifying had taken place, it's hard to believe that South Africa would be playing. Ranked 90th in the FIFA world rankings, South Africa is the second lowest team competing behind North Korea. However, their skills and play will be brought up by passion of its fans and the opportunity to become a national hero. No team hosting a world cup has failed to qualify for the knockout round, and hopefully, this time will be no different. With only one major player playing in a major European league, Steven Pineear(Everton), this team will need some luck and perseverance to make it through the group. Second place should be the ultimate goal, and it begins with a vital opening game against Mexico. The team needs at least a point if it has any hopes of getting to the round of 16.
Player to watch: Steven Pineear- The little engine that could. He will be the main man in the middle for SA. The team goes as he goes, and they need him to go a long way. A longgggggggg way.
Group Prediction: 4th. Ultimately, skill level will catch up to this team even though their recent results would suggest other wise . Aside from France, none of these squads are powerhouses, but SA is just too weak to reach the next round.
FRANCE
2006 finalist and 1998 World Cup winners, the French come in with big hopes from previous competitions, but doubters are looking otherwise. Raymond Domenech is a joke. I say this as least confrontational as possible, but he is a joke. With such promise, he has drilled this team into the ground and it's actually appalling how he is still the coach. Anyways, the players do the talking and they have not performed up to expectations especially at Euro 2008 and their recent qualifying. Needing a good volleyball set from Henry to get past Ireland, the French has oodles of talent with William Gallas recovering in time to be fit for the group stage. Don't forget Lehr's man crush, Karim Benzema, has been left off the team. Lack of quality strikers might be a problem.
Player to watch: Florent Malouda- Plain and simple, he is dangerous. An outstanding year at Chelsea, Malouda catapults himself into player of the year category. Alongside Ribery, Malouda could benefit and be one of the shining stars of the tournament.
Group Prediction: 1st. Any other finish would be extremely disappointing with the caliber of the starting 11 on this squad. Then again, they do have Domenech. Get that guy out of here.
URUGUAY
A fine display by Uruguay has catapulted them into contention for this year's world cup after qualifying on the final day. Since, they have impressed with a friendly victory over WC competitor Switzerland and a draw at France... Domenech. This team has some real potential to be an upset draw if they get stingy defending, just lacks finding an earmark victory over a class opponent.
Player to watch: Diego Forlan- Known to most of the top flight leagues of Europe, Forlan is simply a goal scorer. It's what he does. He scored the two goals in the 2-1 final of the Europa league this year for Athletic Madrid and is in rich form. It wouldn't be surprising for him to go off.
Group Prediction: 3rd. Harsh. But I like Mexico since they're always sneaky to get into the round of 16. However, if Uruguay takes anything from France, don't be surprised to see this team top of the group after it's all said and done.
MEXICO
How does Sven Goren Eriksson get jobs? Sorry Ivory Coast, but Lazio was a decade ago. Let's get that fact straight. And Mexico made the right move finally getting rid of this clown when it realized a change was necessary. And as soon as he left, wins rained down like Katrina was coming through and the team qualified. It has a lot of young talent, maybe a downfall, but they've shown they can play with the big boys in friendlies with England, Netherlands, and this coming week's Italy game. They're quick, exciting, and find ways to win. Just look at the Gold Cup and destruction of a second rate American squad. These boys can play. Especially in the altitude, which is where most of this cup will take place.
Player to Watch: Rafael Marquez - Ya he's a defender, and ya he's a poon, but he's going to be looked upon hugely for his experience. This will be his 3rd World Cup, and just getting to the second round isn't what he's looking for.
Group Prediction: 2nd. Tons of talent and speed can get you through a group phase. Don't need to be great, just good enough and that's what I think Mexico will do. Get a good start on the hosts and stealing points from France is crucial. Ultimately, the Uruguay/Mexico match will decide who goes thru.
ODDS AND ENDS:
- Walcott getting axed is NOT surprising. He's a super sub at best.
- Rossi getting axed IS surprising. That's what he gets for going to Italy.
- Maradona is crazy, and I don't want to see him naked.
- Get an app
Until tomorrow, you gotta play it back to play it forward.
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