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So I'm bored.
Group A
Germany: What made Klinsmann was a striker. He knew how to score. So, he's got the lethargic German team playing some real fluid, offensive football and so far, it's been effective. Strong midfield consisting of Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Frings. Good, explosive young strikers in Lucas Podolski and Mike Hanke. If veterans Asamoah and Kuranyi get their ass in gear, Germans can score a lot of goals. Problem is that their centrebacks are pretty weak and very vulnerable giving up a lot of goals. Unless Klinnsmann finds a miracle solution to defence problems, Germany won't last very long.
Costa Rica: An emerging Latin America football nation. Won't be repeating their 90 WC performance when they reached round of 16s this time around. Has high hopes in former Man City striker Paulo Wanchope to put goals in net, along with Lokomotiv Moscow's Winston Parks up front and veteran midfielder Soto to supply balls. Might cause an upset against Poland or Germany.
Poland: Has a lot to prove to the world after disasterous WC02. Scored a lot of goals during the qualifiers, led by Frankowski. A nice mix of players with some European teams and experience. Goaltending might be suspect if Dudek gets the nod again. He's very inconsistent, and he's not been playing games for Liverpool this year.
Ecuador: Second straight WC appearance. Established defence led by Hurtado and Espinoza. Supporting cast include Villa defender de la Cruz. Putting high hopes on strikers Delgado and Kaviedes. Ecuador did beat Brazil and Argentina during qualifiers, but all their victories have come playing at high altitudes. Will be interesting if they can play well in German weather.
Prediction: Germany and Poland to go through. Ecuador being dark horse in this group.
Group B
England: IMO has the right tools to finally win WC. Midfield of Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham, Shaun Wright Phillips. *drool* Additional depth with Stephen Downing, Owen Hargreaves to show that they can play good. Might be interesting if Rooney plays left wing as he has for Man U this year for few games. Strikers Owen and Defoe should provide pace, but can be inconsistent. Best centrebacks in the world in Terry, Campbell and Ferdinand, but Campbell is losing pace and Ferdinand can be inconsistent. Still, a very good looking team.
Paraguay: Their 3rd straight WC appearance. Have made it to round of 16s before. Key players to watch are Gamarra on defence, Reggina's Paredes in midfield and Bayern Munich's Santa Cruz up front. Shows a lot of character in playing tight defence.
Trinidad & Tobago: Perhaps the weakest team in this WC. Veteran and former Man U hitman Dwight Yorke is playing an unusual role of midfielder. His experience will be valuable. Coventry's Stern John have done well during qualifiers. Overall, team lack experience and class to pose any serious challenge.
Sweden: Always entertaining to watch, but does have some glaring weakness that needs to be addressed. Juve's Ibrahimovish is expected to put the ball in the net with Barca's Larsson on perhaps his last tourney. Both did well during Euro04. In midfield, Arsenal's Ljungberg nets goals with his skills and game knowledge with Kallstrom supplying the ball up front. Back 4 may be weak with Lucic and Mellberg well into their 30s and fullbacks aren't impressive. Issakson replaced Hedman as their #1 keeper and so far he has done well, with good outing at Euro04 and qualifiers.
Prediction: England and Sweden to go through, with Paraguay as dark horse.
Group C
Argentina: A favourite to win the WC, looking to show better than first round exit in last WC. Has depth in all positions, except goalkeeper. Up front, Crespo, Saviola and Julio Cruz provide strong presence with Figuroa also challenging for a spot. Riquelme can dictate the game, with Aimar also playing a key role. No worldclass goalkeeper though. Barca's Messi is having a good yr and may be the young player to look out for.
Ivory Coast: Will be looking to make a strong impression. Certain with Chelsea's Drogba up front, they can pose a challenge. Relies on Arsenals's Toure to organize defence. However, lacks consistency as a team at times and over reliance on Drogba means if Drogba has an injury or loses consistency, Ivory Coast is in trouble.
Serbia and Montenegro: Potential dark horse to make it very far in WC. Has a strong defence led by Schalke04's Kristajic which conceded only 1 goal the entire qualifier. Up front, Mateja Kezman provide pace and quality to net goals. But lacks a strong playmaker in midfield.
Holland: Always seem to underachieve. Has depth and quality in all positions. Will be looking towards van Nielstrooy and Makaay to score. Midfield is another strong point with Sneijder, Van der vaart and Robben can cause problems on opposition flanks and van Bommel to be playmaker. van der Sar is in good form and provide strength in net.
Prediction: Anyone can go through in this group, but Argentina and Holland looks to be strongest.
Group D
Mexico: Doesn't play in a very competitive qualifier group, but does have class to be a surprise. Midfielder Lozano scored 11 times in the qualifier. Borgetti may be one of the best players in the world during a deadball situation. If veteran striker Blanco is recalled, he has experience and skills to pose problems for opposition. Barca's Rafa Marquez organizes defence well.
Iran: Strong qualifier campaign. Strikers Ali Daei and Hashemian are expected to score goals, but lacks top quality. Midfielder Ali Karimi of Bayern Munich does have skills to dominate. Still, a weak side with lack of experience.
Angola: A first timer that no one really knows about. Captain Akwa is wily and be at right place to pounce on balls for goals. Young Mantorras of Benfica is bright spot in their squad. Current manager has them playing solid defence, a rarily in African football and looking to come out strong.
Portugal: Finalist in Euro04, looking like they've put disasterous WC02 behind. Another team with strong midfield. Cristiano Ronaldo has the tricks and pace. Captain Figo on his last campaign, but brings valuable experience. Maniche and Deco provide steady presence in midfield. Up front, Pauleta of PSG and Benfica's Nuno Gomes are good strikers, but very inconsistent.
Prediction: Mexico and Portugal to go through. Iran may be dark horse and push Mexico out.
Last 4 groups next time...
PS: I hate Portugal, those diving bastards
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| quote: | Originally posted by chinamon
not true. i say "ugh"
but i am a tranny. |
| quote: | Originally posted by kotsy
lol colour me retarded |
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