Group B: Argentina(7), Greece (12), Nigeria (20), South Korea (47)

Argentina

            Many soccer fans and pundits alike believe that Argentina is one of the favorites this year to emerge victorious at the World Cup. Boasting a stellar squad highlighted by the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, the South American squad heads to South Africa full of confidence. Despite a rocky qualification campaign, they look ready to challenge any side this summer.

            Hoping to avenge the disappointment of a penalty shootout loss to Germany in the quarterfinals of 2006, Argentina brings plenty of attacking power. Messi is coupled with Manchester City star Carlos Tevez, Atletico Madrid Striker Sergio Aguero, as well as Gonzalo Higuain and Diego Milito. What the men up top for Argentina lack in size, they certainly make up for in skill, agility, and speed.

            Setting up the all-star attack is a relatively new and inexperienced Argentine midfield. Javier Zanetti was not selected for the 30-man provisional squad, so he will not be making the trip. Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano headlines this group along with Maxi Rodriguez, who scored the goal of the tournament in Germany. Besides this pair, many of the selected players play in South America or feature for lesser-known European clubs.

            In defense,Maradona again makes an obvious omission. Esteban Cambiasso was also not selected, meaning he will miss out as well. However, the Argentine back line is a group of grizzled vets including Gabriel Heinze and Martin Demichelis, and should turn in a solid performance. Also missing is Barcelona’s Gabriel Milito, who will certainly be jealous of his brother Diego.

            Question marks loom in net for the Argentinians. Roberto Abbondanzieri misses out on the squad,as he has not featured since Maradona took over control of the team. Mario Andujar of Catania looks the likely choice although Maradona has not named his first choice keeper for the tournament.

Starting XI: Andujar, Burdisso, Demichelis,Heinze, Samuel, Mascherano, Rodriguez, Di Maria, Messi, Tevez, Aguero

 Prediction: 1^stin Group (9 points), Eliminated in Semifinals (Spain)

Nigeria

            Nigeria boast a fairly impressive squad and fancy their chances to give a strong showing at the 2010 World Cup. An African side, expect the native crowd to cheer for them wherever they play. Including 2010, Nigeria have qualified for 4 out of 5 of the most recent World Cup Fianls. They missed out in Germany, being clipped by Angola, who had a head-to-head advantage.

            Nigeria qualified directly for South Africa by topping Group B comprised of Kenya,Tunisia and Mozambique. A suprising number of their players feature in Europe,including John Obi Mikel, Yakubu, and Obafemi Martins.

            Returning to the squad is Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu. Despite his old age, the Portsmouth striker was selected by coach Lars Lagerback and hopes to captain his side to success in his 3^rd world cup. Joining him up top are a selection of capable strikers. Yakubu, Martins, as well as Victor Anichebe and John Utaka will round what Nigeria hopes to be an offensive strength.

            In midfield, Nigeria’s hopes rest on the shoulders of a pair of two Londoners.Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu and Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel will be keystones to any results Nigeria achieve. Mikel should drop into a deeper holding role for the Super Eagles. Although he has enjoyed only moderate success and playing time at Stamford Bridge, look for Mikel to make a solid impact on Group B this summer.

            The questions for Nigeria begin in defense. They may have an impressive offense, but they are at risk of conceding boatloads of goals. Joseph Yobo and Taye Taiwo offer some experience, but should there be any major injuries, the experience level of the substitutes is dangerously low. Danny Shittu had an impressive season at Bolton but don’t expect miracles from the Super Eagles’ back four.

            Vincent Enyema will be tested in net for Nigeria, it will be interesting to see if he’s up to the task of stopping some of the most prolific scorers on the planet.

Starting XI: Enyema,Yobo, Taiwo, Shittu, Odiah, Mikel, Etuhu, Yussuf, Kanu, Yakubu, Utaka,

 Prediction: 2^ndin Group Stage (4 points), Eliminated in the Round of 16 (France)

Greece

            Entering only their second World Cup, the Greeks hope to improve upon their 1994 performance in which they did not score a single goal. Well-known for their overly defensive tactics, Greece has often been accused of playing “anti-football”, sometimes leaving seven or even eight players in their own half to prevent goals rather than score them.This strategy led to their unlikely championship at Euro 2004, but since then the team has rarely found the same form. Scoring only one goal in group play at Euro 2008, the Greeks are considered too old and defensive to competeon the world’s biggest stage. Their 12th place global ranking from FIFA is the definition of being overrated.

            Their longtime keeper and defensive rock Antonios Nikopolidis does not make the squad for this year’s final, although much of the veteran core does return. Defender Giourkas Seitaridis and midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou are named, despite both being serious injury doubts. Only one other fullback besides Seitaridis has more than 30 caps, that man is Sotirios Kyrgiakos, the Liverpool center back having 56. The rest of the Greek defense is relatively new to the national team, and only two others currently play outside Greece.

            In midfield, captain Giorgos Karagounis leads the charge and at 32 years old, has a veteran presence. Karagounis is the most capped player on the current squad with 91, making him 4^th all-time, and can jump into 3^rdshould he feature in each game of the group phase as well as Greece’s preceding friendlies.

            For offense, the Greeks have a pair of capable and experienced strikers. Angleos Charisteas and Theofanis Gekas both have 20+ goals for their country and Christeas has nearly double Gekas’ caps with 86. The veteran duo are joined by Georgios Samaras, who plays for Celtic, but is rumored to be on the move after thissummer.

            In conclusion,don’t expect too much excitement or offense from the Greeks, or really, much of anything at all.

Starting XI:Chalkias, Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis, Vyntra, Karagounis, Katsouranis,Patsatzoglou, Tziolis, Charisteas, Gekas

 Prediction:Eliminated in Group Stage (0 Points)

 South Korea

            The South Koreans enter South Africa on fire, having not lost a single match throughout qualification. They will hope to reclaim the glory they found in 2002, when they co-hosted the World Cup with Japan. Their captain Park Ji-Sung, a Manchester United workhorse, hopes to have a repeat performance of 2006, where he scored a late goal to draw with eventual finalists France, even though the South Koreans did not make it out of their group that year.

            Many of South Korea’s players feature domestically, and the side remains a small mystery,with a few key players missing out, including former Cottager Seol Ki-Hyeon. However, the squad does have an experienced veteran core and no selected player is uncapped.

            At keeper,Lee Woon-Jae returns in what will be his 130^th game for the country.He was the captain in 2006, a title he has since lost to Park. Lee will look to continue his excellent form in South Africa, having conceded only 7 goals in 14 matches throughout qualifying.

            In defense,left back Lee Young-Pyo returns again.  A perennial presence in the side, this will be his 3^rd World Cup for South Korea. He is one of two defenders who play outside of Asia, although the South Korean defense is certainly capable and experienced enough to turn in a strong performance.

            Park will marshal the midfield again this time, with help from Kim Nan-il, who has 90 caps for his country. The pair represent the workhorse mentality of the South Korean side and will certainly scrap for every loose ball and play right until the final whistle. Joining them in midfield will be a growing Bolton star, Lee Chung-Yong, who first featured for South Korea 2 years ago in a qualifying match against Jordan, at the tender age of 19.

            Up top,2002 hero and villain to the Italians, Ahn Jung-Hwan returns for South Korea. Most famous for his 2002 goal to eliminate Italy, he will be playing in his 3^rdWorld Cup. His partner in attack will likely be Lee Dong-Gook, the side’s most prolific goalscorer with 25 national tallies.

            However,there will be no magic in the air this time for the South Koreans, as they will crash out on goal differential.

Starting XI: LeeWoon-Jae, Kim Dong-Jin, Lee Young-Pyo, Chu Du-Ri, Oh Beom-Seok, Park Ji-Sung,Kim Nan-il, Kim Jung-Woo, Lee Chung-Yong, Ahn  Jung-Hwan, Lee Dong-Gook

Prediction: Eliminated in Group Stage (4 Points, least Goal Differential)

- Written By Greg Pennington, Official Arsenal Blogger of the Goalmouth Scramble