2010 World Cup Preview...Group B
Argentina: I said it when it happened, the downfall of this team will not be the players, it will be their coach. Diego Maradona is the country's most revered athlete ever. He led Argentina to the World Cup title back in 1986, but he has fought drug addiction, and most recently, his weight his entire career. The Argentinians have the reigning World player of the year in Lionel Messi (Barcelona), who will turn 23 while playing at the World Cup. They also have plenty of other young World Class players on their roster as well, including Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid - transferring to Chelsea on July 1st), Diego Milito (Inter), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool) & Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), who scored the best goal in the 2006 World Cup - a left footed volley against Mexico in extra time to send Argentina to the quarterfinals. Now here is my issue with Maradona being the coach. The Argentinians have arguably more fire power up front than any team in the world, and that is including Spain and Brazil. If there was ever a team that should play a 2-3-5 (yes, 2 backs, 3 mids and 5 forwards) this is the team. And most of those forwards are under the age of 27...so why would you want your up and coming stars learning how to be a professional from a coke addicted, overweight you know what. To win this tournament you need discipline. Heck, Maradona was even kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for drug use...talk about a great teammate. But this team is so talented, I don't think even Maradona can screw them enough not to qualify for the knockout round.
Greece: The 2004 Euro Champs return to the World Cup since their 0-3 debacle back in USA 1994. The Greeks are ranked 13th in the world by FIFA, and there is no way that is an accurate ranking - they are 20th at best. But lucky for them, this is one of the weakest groups in the tournament, so there is hope. This team plays superb defensively, but that is mostly due to their 4-5-1 formation. But don't be surprised to see them play an even more defensive 5-4-1 in this tournament. Their most known player in the world is forward Georgios Samaras (Celtic).
Nigeria: Nigeria hired their coach Lars Lagerback in February...obviously stability wasn't important to the Nigerian Football Federation going into the World Cup. While most teams are working out the little things at that time...Nigeria is still trying to get used to a new coach, how he prepares his teams and what he expects from his players. You just cannot be successful in this day and age like that. Nigeria has 1 point in its last 5 World Cup matches and they didn't even qualify for the 2006 tournament. They do have many players playing in top leagues around the world, including striker Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg). Martins has scored 16 goals in 21 international appearances for Nigeria. But all the others are fringe players and are fighting for playing time every week. Nigeria is ranked 21st in the world by FIFA, so there is some talent here and some hope that they can move on to the knockout stage.
South Korea: This is Asia's most successful team and made the semifinals of the World Cup in 2002 when they were co-hosts with Japan. Unfortunately, this tournament is on a different continent, because the South Koreans have never made it out of the 1st round when the tournament is not held in Asia. Their best player is their captain, Park Ji-Sung, who plays midfield for Club powerhouse Manchester United. Unfortuantely, KOR would need 5 or 6 more Park's to advance deep into the tournament. But with the weak draw, they may sneak their way into the knockout stage.
Biggest Match of the Group Stage: Nigeria vs. Greece...the winner of this match will likely finish 2nd in the Group and get the chance to play the winner of Group A.
Blast from the Past: Nigeria defeated Greece in their final group stage game back in 1994 in the USA. Nigeria finished above Bulgaria & Argentina while winning the group and Greece finished 0-3. Nigeria went on to lose 2-1 in extra time to eventual runner-up Italy.
What the Future Holds: The winner of the group gets a tough of round 16 match against the 2nd place team of Group A (Mexico). The runner-up of Group B plays the winner of Group A (France). Barring a big time surprise in Group A...both of these round 16 games should be very good.
Prediction: Argentina wins the group, Nigeria edges out Greece for 2nd
Round of 16: France vs. Nigeria, Argentina vs. Mexico
Greece: The 2004 Euro Champs return to the World Cup since their 0-3 debacle back in USA 1994. The Greeks are ranked 13th in the world by FIFA, and there is no way that is an accurate ranking - they are 20th at best. But lucky for them, this is one of the weakest groups in the tournament, so there is hope. This team plays superb defensively, but that is mostly due to their 4-5-1 formation. But don't be surprised to see them play an even more defensive 5-4-1 in this tournament. Their most known player in the world is forward Georgios Samaras (Celtic).
Nigeria: Nigeria hired their coach Lars Lagerback in February...obviously stability wasn't important to the Nigerian Football Federation going into the World Cup. While most teams are working out the little things at that time...Nigeria is still trying to get used to a new coach, how he prepares his teams and what he expects from his players. You just cannot be successful in this day and age like that. Nigeria has 1 point in its last 5 World Cup matches and they didn't even qualify for the 2006 tournament. They do have many players playing in top leagues around the world, including striker Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg). Martins has scored 16 goals in 21 international appearances for Nigeria. But all the others are fringe players and are fighting for playing time every week. Nigeria is ranked 21st in the world by FIFA, so there is some talent here and some hope that they can move on to the knockout stage.
South Korea: This is Asia's most successful team and made the semifinals of the World Cup in 2002 when they were co-hosts with Japan. Unfortunately, this tournament is on a different continent, because the South Koreans have never made it out of the 1st round when the tournament is not held in Asia. Their best player is their captain, Park Ji-Sung, who plays midfield for Club powerhouse Manchester United. Unfortuantely, KOR would need 5 or 6 more Park's to advance deep into the tournament. But with the weak draw, they may sneak their way into the knockout stage.
Biggest Match of the Group Stage: Nigeria vs. Greece...the winner of this match will likely finish 2nd in the Group and get the chance to play the winner of Group A.
Blast from the Past: Nigeria defeated Greece in their final group stage game back in 1994 in the USA. Nigeria finished above Bulgaria & Argentina while winning the group and Greece finished 0-3. Nigeria went on to lose 2-1 in extra time to eventual runner-up Italy.
What the Future Holds: The winner of the group gets a tough of round 16 match against the 2nd place team of Group A (Mexico). The runner-up of Group B plays the winner of Group A (France). Barring a big time surprise in Group A...both of these round 16 games should be very good.
Prediction: Argentina wins the group, Nigeria edges out Greece for 2nd
Round of 16: France vs. Nigeria, Argentina vs. Mexico
Posted by Goalmouth Scramble at June 7, 2010 11:42 PM 
Categories: 2010 World Cup
Tags: 2010 World Cup
Categories: 2010 World Cup
Tags: 2010 World Cup
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