My thoughts and predictions on WC10
Finally all the 32 places are fully occupied after a few controversial and dramatic qualifying matches by an exciting brunch of nations for the South Africa 2010. The previous post I discussed about the teams that I will miss in the World Cup, you can read it HERE . In this post I will give my verdicts and opinions on those nations that will be in South Africa next summer.
Hosts
South Africa
Prediction : Round of 16
Their best record so far in WC is just in the group stage but being the host I do see them advance to the round of 16. Home ground advantage will definately help them but that should be as far as they could get even with player like Benni McCarthy, Aaron McKoena,Rowen Fernandes and Kagiso because this is the WC we are talking about.
EUFA Region
Denmark
Prediction : Round of 16
They performed extremely well during the qualifying but since the Golden Generation of Brian & Michael Laudrup, Peter Schemical and Jon Dahl Tomasson they dont have much depth in their current squad. This is only their fourth time making it into WC finals so I dont really put much hope on them even with their rising young striker Niklas Bendtner in the squad.
England
Prediction : Finalist
They last won their only WC back in 1966 man is really very very long time ago. If just if they could get a very reliable GK and a very reliable strike partner for Wayne Rooney then they could be a very serious contender for the trophy. I do see them reaching the final in this WC with the depth in the squad but lifting the trophy might prove a little difficult. The only downside with the squad is that almost all their players are England based so not much exposure to other countries playing style.
Germany
Prediction : Quarter-finalist
Germany are always a very solid team in competitions but their current squad might be a little too young to challenge for the trophy next year with the squad average age at 26. I do expect some suprises from them but challenging for the trophy ? Maybe next term.
Italy
Prediction : Semi-finalist
Being the 2006 edition champion I do see them reaching the semi-finals in South Africa but sometimes the previous champion might flop in the next campaign so do expect some suprises with Italy. They might even got eliminated in the group stage if things doesnt go well for them.
Netherlands
Prediction : Quarter-finalist
I really dont understand why they never win the WC with the quality of players they had over the years. Is it because they doesnt have the luck to excel ? Sometimes I wonder how they loses the games that they could easily won.The prospect of seeing Arjen Robben teaming with Robin Van Persia and Wesley Sneijder really mouth watering. They are always one of my favourite with their exciting playing style and I do hope that miracles might happen.
Serbia
Prediction : Group stage
Yes they might perform superbly in the qualifying stage but group stage is as far as they could go. I dont see them creating any upset or suprises during the WC. Just another team to make up the numbers of teams.
Spain
Prediction : Quarter-finalist
Spain is a team full of quality players but yet to win the WC. The partnership of David Villa and Fernando Torres will send shivers down spine of any defensive line up in the world and with Iniesta,Alonso and Fabregas in the midfield they can create wonders but can they win the WC ? Is a question very difficult to answer but we shall see next summer.
Slovakia
Prediction : Group stage
This is the first time they enter an international competition but I dont see another Croatia in the making in them. So we shall only see them for 3 matches and thats about it.
Switzerland
Prediction : Group stage
Struggling to top the easiest group in the Eufa qualifying grouping tells it all even though they are ranked at 13th place in Fifa world ranking at the month. I guess they will be relying on Hakan Yakin and Alex Frei to push them through. Oh yea they were the only team didnt conceded any goal in normal regulations time in WC 2006.
Greece
Prediction : Group stage
Not every year is the year 2004 and I seriously do not expect any suprises form Greece this time. I am writing them off at this moment either you like it or not. Although I do admire Karung Guni, I mean Karougunis but thats about it. I dont see Otto Rehhagel creating another miracle in WC10.
Slovenia
Prediction : Group stage
I dont understand how they overcome Russia in the qualifying match. I have nothing against them but a WC without the hot russian chicks and Andrei Ashavin, Pavlyvucenko,Zhirkov and Akinfeev is not really complete. So curse you Slovenia , ahha…Please dont be offended all the Slovenian people out there, I am just ranting. I do like you guys.
Portugal
Prediction : Round of 16
Football isnt an individual game , they wont be able to challenge for the trophy if only depending on Ronaldo although they manage to make it through the both legs against Bosnia. All their recent matches they only manage to win narrowly even against lesser known team so in order to make an impact in WC10 they will need to work as a team and by playing at their top form then maybe they might exceed my prediction.
France
Prediction : Group stage
Just look at how they played against Ireland, it was a disaster. There are no teamwork, there are no communication, there are no tactics and there are no sportsmanship. 2010 will just be a repeat of 2002, they will fare miserably even Anelka wont be able to do anything. So Bon Voyage while in South Africa.
Conmebol
Brazil
Prediction : Finalist
Although they do struggle a little bit during away matches during qualifying but Brazil will always be Brazil and somehow they always manage to pull through during the real competition. With so many quality players in their squad that they can even spare other countries that lack of football talents with some players. It will be exciting to see them in final.
Paraguay
Prediction : Group stage
Easing through the qualifying group consist of Brazil and Argentina are really very impressive but I guess it stops there. Another team that will just make up the number in WC10 although I do see Santa Cruz scoring a few goals during the campaign.
Chile
Prediction : Group stage
Honestly I dont know much about Chile other than Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano partnership in the late 90s and early 21st century. Say I am ignorant but group stage is where their journey will end.
Argentina
Prediction : Group of 16
Not all great players are great managers, honestly I still havent see any management quality from Maradona yet and I dont foresee it in the near future. With squad of so many quality players they should be able to manage to squeeze through the group stage but after that is finito.
Uruguay
Prediction : Group stage
After winning 2 WC trophy in the first 4 campaign they have nothing much to show soon after that. Mostly their journey ends at group stage or the most group of 16. So for WC10 their journey should end at group stage as well.
Concacaf
Mexico
Prediction : Group of 16
I do expect Carlos Vela to shine for Mexico in WC10 and they do have some depth in the squad so progressing to group of 16 shouldn’t be a problem provided they can play some world class football.
United States
Prediction : Group stage
If traditional football is one of the high profile sports like basketball, american football and baseball in the US I strongly believe that US will be the team to beat in order to be WC champion but unfortunately football isnt that popular in US but I am looking forward to Freddy Adu and Brian Ching performance during the WC.
Honduras
Prediction : Group stage
What can Palacios do during WC ? I am not very sure but I do expect some suprises from this inexperience Honduras side. This is only their second appearance in the WC so do not expect too much from them.
Caf
Ghana
Prediction : Group of 16
The Black Stars are only making their second consecutive appearance in the WC although they been quite dominant in the Olympics. With players like Michael Essien, Muntari, Appiah and Paintsil they can be the dark horse of the tournament, so be prepared all those top rated team.
Ivory Coast
Prediction : Semi-finalist
Ivory Coast as semi-finalist ? Are you joking or what. Yes I am dead serious they are my favourite to occupied one of those semi-finalist spot in WC10 even though WC10 are only their second appearance after 2006 WC. Have a look at their squad and you will know that I am not joking. They have so many quality player plying their trade in so many top league in the world and it will be a note worth taken.
Nigeria
Prediction : Group of 16
The trio of Yakubu, Martins and Kanu is a strike force to acknowledge but maybe they will just make it to group of 16. They might go even further if their backline can provide the cover needed in a WC campaign.
Cameroon
Prediction : Group stage
A good brunch of players and a world class striker in Eto can the Indomitable Lions pose a threat to the usual favourites ? I dont think so. Can Paul Le Guen perform his magic with Cameroon during WC10 ? I dont think so.
Algeria
Prediction : Group stage
Algeria is a country that produces player like Zizou and Samir Nasri but unfortunately both players decided to represent France instead. If you cant keep your talents you cant win, simple as that.
Asia
Australia
Prediction : Quater-finalist
Australia joined the Asia Federation in 2007 in order to increase their standard of football as football is getting more serious business and no longer just friendly matches to them. So I do reckon that they will reach the quarter-final after all the upgrading. Haven’t see Harry Kewell playing for quite some time , I wonder how is he doing right now.
Japan
Prediction : Group of 16
Although Japan hardly make in through the group stage in their WC campaign except in 2002 when they are the co-host but after so many exposures they should be able to shine a little in WC10.
Korea
Prediction : Group stage
Trust me fourth place finish in 2002 is simply a flop. Although they have an unbeaten run of 27 matches until last week when they lost to Serbia in a friendly match in Craven Cottage , I dont see them proceed far in WC10 even with players like Park Ji Sung and Seol Ki-Hyeon.
North Korea
Prediction : Group stage
The first and last time North Korea qualified for the WC is during 1966 when England won the WC so I guess this must be another good omen for England that North Korea qualified for WC10. Hmmm what else to say about them ? I dont know.
Ocenia
New Zealand
Prediction : Group stage
Is been a while since the last time New Zealand manage to make it this far, I guess they must be smiling when Australia decided to join Asia Federation. Well after a hard fought match with Bahrain they finally manage to secure a place in WC10 but seriously group stage is as far as they could get.
All those are solely my personal opinions and predictions, you shouldnt take it too seriously or as guideline when making your WC betting although betting on Brazil and England to lift the cup seems like a good bet. All those predictions are just a guideline on what I think how those team will perform during the WC10 of course there are other factors involved like grouping , forms,match fixing and luck. Thats what make football so interesting and WC one of the greatest event on Earth.
Cheers and remember put your money on Brazil and England. Paddy Power is giving the odds 5-1 for Brazil to win and 6-1 for England to win.