Soccer World Cup Preview

Greetings Fanatics and welcome to my World Cup Preview. For the next month the worlds focus will be on South Korea and Japan as football (wogball to a lot of my Aussie mates in the Italian Forum) stops the world.

199 countries started out on the road to qualifying and now we are down to 32.

This promises to be one of the great World Cups and from a punters perspective one of the most open betting tournaments ever. Never before has the World Cup been played outside the Americas or Europe, and only once has it been won by a nation from outside the host continent. Hosting the tournament has been an advantage in the past, with 6 home nations holding aloft the Jules Rimet Trophy.

We can safely assume that Japan or South Korea will not be winning it this time. The big X factor in this World Cup will be the heat and humidity of Asia. How will the Europeans adjust and does it give the Latin American countries an advantage?

Lets whipe off the dust and take a look into the crystal ball and see what we come up with.

Group A: France, Uruguay, Denmark, Senegal

This is a tougher group than it looks. While the defending champs should win this group comfortably, they wouldn’t want to underestimate their opposition. Second place will probably come down to one match, Uruguay v Denmark. I have mixed feelings about Uruguay. Part of me wants them to bomb out after the heartbreak they cause the Socceroos but on the other hand if they were to get through to the knock out stages it would make non-qualification a little easier to take.

Denmark did not lose a game during qualification. They will rely heavily on Ebbe “Quick” Sand, who was the leading scorer in the Bundersliga. I fancy a little bit of Alvaro Rockstar brilliance may be enough to get the Sky Blues through.

Senegal playing in their first World Cup are going to be up against it. What they would give to have Patrick Viera amongst their ranks. They will be fired up for the first game against the French as their whole squad (bar three) plays in the top French league and remember they put Morocco out of the World Cup and Nigeria out of the African Nations Cup so they are not to be taken lightly.

Tip:Frogs first, Sky Blues second.

Group B: Spain, Paraguay, South Africa, Slovenia

This group is one of the easiest to predict. Slovenia have done a great job just to make the finals. South Africa have struggled recently. They sacked their coach in March and like their cricket and rugby counterparts when a little pressure is applied they fall apart at the seams.

Paraguay are a strong, proud footballing nation. They were very unfortunate to lose to the hosts in the second round of the last tournament. Remember the name of Jose Luis Chilavert, he will be one of the characters of the tournament despite being suspended from the first two games for spitting in the face of Roberto Carlos during a qualifier.

One of the big questions of the whole World Cup will be which Spanish team will turn up to play. Sure they have the best domestic competition in the World but the national team has trouble putting it together on the World stage. The Basques, Catalans and boys from Madrid don’t seem to get on. Last time they were very disappointing going out in the first round. Look out for Lazio star Gaizka Mendieta who will take the crown of best hair style from former Columbian star Carlos Valderama. Spain will get though but I would be prepared to bet against them winning the tournament.

Tip: Spain first and Paraguay second

Group C: China, Brazil, Costa Rica, Turkey

Everyone has written the Brazilian's off apart from your correspondent. Their quality is demonstrated by the fact that they narrowly went down to the Socceroos in last years Confederations Cup. The big advantage they may have is that they will adapt quicker to the conditions (heat and humidity) than some of the European nations.

I’m going to tip Ronaldo for the Golden Boot.

Turkey or Costa Rica to finish second is a tough question. The Turks just get the nod because they may be a little more disciplined than the “Ticos” who they say are more like Brazil then the Brazilians. Aston Villas Alfie Alpay will be the rock the Turks defence will be built upon.

The Red Army will support the Chinese on their quest to progress to the next round but even with their awesome fire power it wont be enough. Fan Zhiyi will benefit from his time at one of England’s biggest clubs, Crystal Palace, and will lead the way for the Chinese team.

Tip: Brazil and Turkey

Group D: South Korea, Poland, Portugal, USA

Can the host nation rise to meet the expectations of the 49 odd million countrymen who are expecting the boys in red, white and blue to notch up their first victory in their 5 appearances at the world cup finals. That’s right, after 14 games at world cup finals The Korean Republic is yet to post a victory, and even a home crowd this year, and one of the easiest groups, they look to perform about as well as they did at Seoul in 1988.

They will struggle to shut down the attack of Luis Figo (Portugal), and will need the twin towers of Kim Tae-young (Chunnam Dragons) and Hong Myung-bo (Pohang Steelers) to stand tall against the pace of the young American strikers Landon Donovan (San Jose), and DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago). The little men from the Korean Republic have more chance of eating a bowl of rice with a single chopstick, than they do of advancing to the round of 16.

The power of Portugal led by Luis Figo and held together at the back by Liverpool’s version of the missing link Abel Xavier, will be too strong for the other soccer minnows in this group.

Those who went to the 2000 Davis Cup Final in Barcelona will want Figo to star jsut to get under the nose of the Spanish. Figo was once the king of Barcelona until he took the money at arch rivals Real Madrid, so for the sake of those robbed on The Ramblas, c`mon Figo.

Poland will also advance as their defence will remain stoic led by Tomasz Klos (Kaiserslautern) and the Jerzy “Cow” Dudek guarding the net.

The U.S.A. may challenge for third spot with age and experience at the back in Brad Friedel and David Regis, and youth and pace up front in Landon “Jason” Donovan and DaMarcus “Lenny” Beasley. However with age at the back and youth down the front this outfit bears more resemblance to a family tree than a group winning soccer side. USA – third, with the midgets in red, white and blue to bring up the rear.

Tip: Portugal then Poland

Group E: Cameroon, Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia

Another tough group. Cameroon have the best record of any African nation in the World Cup, and made it to the Quarter Finals in 1990. They are the current African Nations Cup Champions. Star players to look out for include the current African Player of the Year, Patrick Mboma and Metz striker Joseph Job.

The Germans are a team in decline.

Over the last decade they have lost stars such as Klinsman, Voller and Matthaus. One of the young players they were looking for to stand up is Sebastien Diesler but he is unfortunately injured. Another young gun is attacking midfielder Michael Ballack, who was their leading scorer in qualifying. Ballack led Bayern Leverkusen to the Champions League final scoring against Man Ure in the Semi Final. As good as Ballack is he will need a lot of help from ageing dinosaurs Beirhoff, Jankcer, Ziege and Hamann.

The Germans form leading into the tournament is not great being smashed by England 5 – 1 and then losing to the Welsh (who are very bloody average) last week.

The Irish did extremely well to qualify from the toughest European Group. They are the reason we are being deprived of Van Nistory, Kluivert, etc. Not only has the tournament has been robbed of the Dutch it is losing stars left right and centre due to injuries, Zidane, Gerard, Pires, Diesler and the Irish have also suffered, losing Jason McAteer. They have a strong defence led by Coventry City star Gary Breen who has easily stepped into the big shoes of Phil Babb and a strong attack headed by Robbie Keane and David Duff.

The Saudi’s will struggle. Despite the King of Saudi throwing shit loads of cash at the team, enabling them to live together in Florence for two months they will not go through to the second round. Their star player is Sami Al Jaber who played for FC Kebab in Saudi Arabia before transfering to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the UK.

I can’t see the Germans getting into the second round.

Tip: Cameroon and Ireland to progress.

Group F: Argentina, England, Nigeria, Sweden

Dubbed the group of death this is a very strong group.

Argentina are one of the favourites to win the tournament and should get through. They were emphatic winners of the South American group winning 13 of their 18 games and only being defeated once. The list of players at coach Bielsa’s disposal is endless and includes great talents and international stars for every single position on the field.

Keep Friday the 7th of June free for the England v Argentina fixture. This will be the match of the tournament due to the history and rivalry between these teams. The confrontation between David Beckham and Diego Simeone will be fascinating.

Should the Poms go down the Coogee Bay Hotel may be trashed.

The English squad has been decimated by injury. If they are to be successful Beckham must be fit and able to play to the best of his ability. One little piece of Becks magic could be enough to get them though. The other key player for the Poms is Michael Owen who announced himself to the World as a star of the future during France 98. He scored a wonder call against the Argies and his pace worried the hell out of Roberto Ayala and co..

Keep and eye on English youngster Joe Cole who could be the Michael Owen of 2002. The big weakness the English have is on the left side of midfield. Boy what would they give for our Harry?

The Swedes finished third in 1994. They qualified strongly for 2002, not losing a single game, and only letting in 3 goals. This was largely due to Coventry City goalkeeper Magnus Hedman. Upfront they have Celtic star Henrik Larson and Arsenal dynamo Freddie Ljungberg who has been scoring for fun.

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback has build a strong squad, who like ABBA could go on to rule the world.

Nigeria are very unpredictable. On their day they can beat anybody. Their team is full of stylish, skilful players such as Kanu and Okocha. Taribo West and Joesph Yobo will lead the defence. The question mark is over their commitment. Financial disputes and internal squabbling has hindered the rise of the Super Eagles and despite their undoubted talent I don’t think they will get through to the second round.

For me it is the Argies and Poms, but I predict this with no conviction, it could just as easily be the Swedes and Nigerians.

Tip: Argentina and England

Group G: Croatia, Mexico, Italy, Ecuador

The Croats, Mexicans, and Equadorians are playing for second place in Group G. The Wogs have got this group sewn up. The streets of Leichardt will come alive on Monday night when the Ities take on Equador in the first match of their campaign. The likes of Del Piero being partnered upfront by big Aussie Vieri and Porn Star Totti pushing through the midfield, will be too strong for the aging Croats, ill disciplined Mexicans and high altitude specialist Equadorians.

The crazy Croats will struggle, even with big serving Goran Ivanisevic taking time out from the French Open to be in his sides corner. With a pair of pensioners up front in Davor Suker and the ‘Middlesborough Myth’ Alen Boksic; and the Australian Institute of Sport sponsored Josip Simunic at the back, they will be exploited by the pace and agility of the Ities, and the Equdorians.

If Asencio and Luis Gomez can control the midfield as they did during the qualifying stages, then Equador should advance along side the Ities. With the fastest wing back in Mexico, Speedy Gonzalez pulling out after tearing his achilles in a training run, the Mexican side is looking much weaker, and will battle to trouble the Equadorians or the Ities who should advance without difficulty.

Tip: Italy and Equador

Group H: Belgium, Japan, Russia, Tunisia

What a group! This is the group the whole world will stop what it’s doing to watch.

What man in his right mind wouldn’t want to kick back and watch two powerhouse’s like Tunisia and Japan go toe to toe.

If the Belgians don’t win this group it will be about as rigged as the draw that found both host nations in such feeble groups. The Belgian strike force of Wesley Sonck and Mbo “M&M” Mpenza will be too strong for all they encounter. If one of these weapons were to require any assistance up front they will have it in Derby’s front man Branko Strupaman.

The Japs will rely heavily on Arsenal’s Inamoto and Parma’s Nakata to dominate the midfield. Inamoto should be relatively fresh and ready to play after a less than inspiring season on the Arsenal bench.

Russia are no longer they force they once were and have put forward a team full of jokers for this tournament. Russian Oil Company Tyumen O.C.(TNK) is offering a $100,000 Porsche Boxter to the best Russian player in each match the team wins at the World Cup. TNK vice president Dmitry Ivanov has ordered 7 Porsches. Giving away all 7 requires Russia to make the finals.

I hope he can resell them to the KGB, because Russia will be doing well to win a game in this group, even against the pathetically weak African minnow nation of Tunisia. Belgium, ahead of the Japs, then Tunisia, and a cheap tournament for Dmitri Ivanov as Russia go win-less.

Tip: Belgium and Japan

Final Four

Picking the final four is reasonably easy on one side of the draw but the other is much harder.

After much study I have come up with Italy, Portugal Brazil and Argentina.

The big surprise here is that I have left out the Frogs. They have an incredibly hard draw.

If as expected they win their group, they will probably get England in the second round. Should they win that they will play Brazil.

I am worried about the injury to Zizou. He is the best player in the world and leaves a massive whole in midfield. My spies in Japan also inform me that Terry Henry is also carrying a niggling injury.

Frankie Lepoof and Marcel Desailly in central defence don’t inspire much confidence. I’m not sure they will be able to cope with the pace of Michael Owen or the trickery of the Brazilian attacking triumvirate, “The Three R’s”, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. Remember that Lepoof and Desailly will be surrounded by Barthez and Silvestre who this year leaked goals for Man Ure.

Spain should play Portugal in the quarters and what a contest this would be. I think the Portuguese lead by Figo and Luis Enrique can get over the top of the Spaniards. Raul is the key for the Spanish. He needs to have a good tournament. I think he may struggle because he wont get the same service from his midfielders that he gets from Zizou and McManaman at Real Madrid.

The Italians have the easiest draw and are good thinks to make the Semis. Their likely quarter final opponents should be Cameroon who won't pose the best defence in the competition too many problems. Nesta, Cannavaro and Maldini do the business week in week out in Serie A and I expect that to continue.

The porn star Totti will be the player of the tournament. He led Roma to the Serie A title two seasons ago and he will be the man to lead them to World Cup glory.

Semi`s

The Brazilians will get over the Argies in one Semi and the Ities will put the Portuguese out in the other.

The Final

We will be set for a replay of the 1994 final and with know Roberto Baggio to stuff it up the boys from Italy will do the job and Leichardt will rock.

Tip: Take the 6-1 Italy and you will be in the money.

Winner: Italy
Runner up: Brazil
Golden Boot: Ronaldo
Player of the Tournament: Totti

See you `round Norton Street.