HERE WE GO...2010 World Cup Preview...Group A
So we have finally arrived...it has been 4 looooong years since Italy won the World Cup back in 2006 and Fabio Cannavaro was dominating the back line...now Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi are the best 2 players in the world...with Wayne Rooney not too far behind. But what is in store for this World Cup? There are always a couple of surprise teams that sneak their way into the knockout rounds, but once you get there, generally the powerhouses take over (unless of course you are the Dutch...more on this later). I did a preview earlier, but that was way back when the draw came out. Now only days away and knowing some injuries and having time to really have the brackets sink in...here are THE OFFICIAL PREDICTIONS OF THE GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE!
GROUP A
FRANCE: Les Bleus are the favorites of the group, but not by much. Thierry Henry (Barcelona), 2 time runner-up in player of the year voting, is now 32 and this team is now run by Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich). This team needed a very controversial goal by William Gallas (Arsenal) in extra time in a playoff against Ireland just to get to this point. But no one can deny this team is loaded with talent and if they can put it all together at the right time - this team has the right mix of offense and defense to make a run to the semis. Will they go that far - NO, but can they, Yes! But they will make it out of the Group Stage and into the knockout round.
Mexico: The Mexicans can be unbeatable one day and then can be beat by a high school team the next. The best word to describe this team: Emotional! If they can control their emotions in this tournament this team has a chance to be the first Mexican squad to advance to the quarterfinals on foreign soil...EVER! That is an unbelievable stat considering how highly ranked they have been year in and year out. The Mexicans have some great attacking options with veteran forward Blanco (Chicago Fire, MLS) up top, with Carlos Vela (Arsenal) & Dos Santos (Galatasaray) attacking with their speed on the wings. They are anchored on the backline by center back Rafael Marquez who plays club ball for world power Barcelona.
Uruguay: This team might come from a small country in South America, but they have won the World Cup twice, including the first one ever played back in 1930. This team is ranked 16th in the world and I feel that is a bit high. There is not a lot of depth on this squad at all and only 3 or 4 world class players overall. Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) and Luis Suarez (Ajax) make-up one of the strongest forward tandems in the tournament, but who is going to get them the ball from the midfield? They do have two quality defenders in Martin Caceres (Juventus) and Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), but they will need to upset either France or Mexico to advance and I think that might be just a little out of their reach at this point.
South Africa: The hosts!! First things first...will security be able to control all of the madness that comes with the World Cup? Fans, Hooligans, Human Trafficking, etc. Personally, I think something bad is going to happen and it will leave a black eye on South Africa the country, Africa the continent and most importantly FIFA itself. But that will be another blog post when the riot occurs. The only player on this squad with some type of name is Steven Pienaar (Everton). Pienaar does play in the English Premier League, but is a role player for Everton. In a group like this, you need stars to advance to the knockout stage and unfortunately for the hosts, it will be 3 and out.
Biggest Match of the Group: Mexico vs. Uruguay...If Uruguay can steal 1 point from France and win like expected against South Africa...this more than likely would setup a win and your in game against Mexico. And we all know how Mexico plays under pressure...just ask Cobi Jones how his head is still feeling after the Rafael Marquez head-butt from the 2002 World Cup. That resulted in a red card for Marquez and the Americans moved on, while the Mexicans went home.
Blast from the Past: France hosted the 1998 World Cup and went on to win the tournament on their home soil. Their opening round match was against South Africa...France dominated and won that game 3-0. Can South Africa return the favor and lift the trophy....ummmm....NO!!
What the Future Holds: Whoever finishes 2nd is lucky enough to play the winner of Group B, which more than likely will be Argentina.
Prediction: France wins the Group, while Mexico finishes 2nd.
GROUP A
FRANCE: Les Bleus are the favorites of the group, but not by much. Thierry Henry (Barcelona), 2 time runner-up in player of the year voting, is now 32 and this team is now run by Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich). This team needed a very controversial goal by William Gallas (Arsenal) in extra time in a playoff against Ireland just to get to this point. But no one can deny this team is loaded with talent and if they can put it all together at the right time - this team has the right mix of offense and defense to make a run to the semis. Will they go that far - NO, but can they, Yes! But they will make it out of the Group Stage and into the knockout round.
Mexico: The Mexicans can be unbeatable one day and then can be beat by a high school team the next. The best word to describe this team: Emotional! If they can control their emotions in this tournament this team has a chance to be the first Mexican squad to advance to the quarterfinals on foreign soil...EVER! That is an unbelievable stat considering how highly ranked they have been year in and year out. The Mexicans have some great attacking options with veteran forward Blanco (Chicago Fire, MLS) up top, with Carlos Vela (Arsenal) & Dos Santos (Galatasaray) attacking with their speed on the wings. They are anchored on the backline by center back Rafael Marquez who plays club ball for world power Barcelona.
Uruguay: This team might come from a small country in South America, but they have won the World Cup twice, including the first one ever played back in 1930. This team is ranked 16th in the world and I feel that is a bit high. There is not a lot of depth on this squad at all and only 3 or 4 world class players overall. Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) and Luis Suarez (Ajax) make-up one of the strongest forward tandems in the tournament, but who is going to get them the ball from the midfield? They do have two quality defenders in Martin Caceres (Juventus) and Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), but they will need to upset either France or Mexico to advance and I think that might be just a little out of their reach at this point.
South Africa: The hosts!! First things first...will security be able to control all of the madness that comes with the World Cup? Fans, Hooligans, Human Trafficking, etc. Personally, I think something bad is going to happen and it will leave a black eye on South Africa the country, Africa the continent and most importantly FIFA itself. But that will be another blog post when the riot occurs. The only player on this squad with some type of name is Steven Pienaar (Everton). Pienaar does play in the English Premier League, but is a role player for Everton. In a group like this, you need stars to advance to the knockout stage and unfortunately for the hosts, it will be 3 and out.
Biggest Match of the Group: Mexico vs. Uruguay...If Uruguay can steal 1 point from France and win like expected against South Africa...this more than likely would setup a win and your in game against Mexico. And we all know how Mexico plays under pressure...just ask Cobi Jones how his head is still feeling after the Rafael Marquez head-butt from the 2002 World Cup. That resulted in a red card for Marquez and the Americans moved on, while the Mexicans went home.
Blast from the Past: France hosted the 1998 World Cup and went on to win the tournament on their home soil. Their opening round match was against South Africa...France dominated and won that game 3-0. Can South Africa return the favor and lift the trophy....ummmm....NO!!
What the Future Holds: Whoever finishes 2nd is lucky enough to play the winner of Group B, which more than likely will be Argentina.
Prediction: France wins the Group, while Mexico finishes 2nd.
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