Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
GreeceGroup Strength
Compared to the other seven groups in the first round, Group B can be considered as somewhere in the middle in terms of quality. With the exception of Argentina there are no big-hitters in the pool, but there are also no easy-pickings as all four teams are capable of beating one another on their day. The group will be considerably weakened by the fact that Argentina have decided to leave at least five world class players at home.
Group Favourites
Before the squad announcements I had tipped Argentina as possible winners of the tournament, let alone Group B, I even said in my last posting that it would be a death sentence to have to face them in the round of 16. But with the omission of Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Milito, Fernando Gago and more than likely Diego Milito, I am beginning to doubt they can live up to their group favourites tag.
Diego Maradona does not seem to know who he wants playing for his team but he certainly does not want to use the 11 best Argentinian players in the world. They had a shaky qualifying campaign and only got through by virtue of a last day win over Uruguay. They are favourites for the group on reputation alone, there is no guarantee Argentina will get out of this group. Every four years there is a major surprise in the group stages and this could be it.Battle for Second
All four teams could realistically finish in fourth place. The most likely battle will be between Nigeria and Greece, but South Korea also have a great chance of qualifying for the second round. These three teams also have very contrasting styles, which should make the clashes between them interesting.
None of these teams have world class individuals who can carry their team over the line but they are, as Greece proved in 2004, squads who will play for each other. Whoever can get a victory over Argentina should qualify from the group.The Outsiders
South Korea are without doubt the outsiders in the group, but their recent performances in the World Cup will give them strength - they reached the semi finals in 2002 and also drew with France four years ago. Park Ji Sung and the European contingent will need to lead by example.
Going Forward
Group B is on the weaker side of the draw, meaning that none of its occupants can meet big guns Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Holland or the Ivory Coast until the semi finals. With France the likely winners of Group A none of the teams are going to want to finish in second place. This leaves open the possibility of Argentina vs France in the round of 16. In the quarter finals, England and Germany are likely opponents, before the aforementioned giants from the other side enter the fray in the semi finals. Whoever tops the group will see it as a great opportunity to reach the last four.
Fixtures
South Korea - Greece, June 12th, (12:30)
Argentina - Nigeria, June 12th, (15:00)
Argentina - South Korea, June 17th, (12:30)
Greece - Nigeria, June 17th, (15:00)
Greece - Argentina, June 22nd, (19:30)
Nigeria - South Korea, June 22nd, (19:30)
Prediction
1st – Argentina
2nd – Greece
3rd – South Korea
4th - Nigeria
interesting read yet again, couple of points however. France and England, if they win their groups, will be on the opposite side of the draw from argentina if they also win their group because they get split up after the group stage. It's not a case of groups a-d staying together and e-h sticking together til the final. Just thought you should know for future reference. Also, Nigeria have potential this year and South Korea will probably be weak, just from looking at the lack of european based players in their squad. still think greece will finish 2nd though. Fun Fact! Greece have only been in the World Cup once in 1994, and two of the teams in their group then are the same as this year. weird! sorry about the rant.
ReplyDeletenot necessarily Euge.I worked it out and if France,Germany,England and Argentina all win their groups then they are in line to meet each other in the 1/4 finals. same on the other side of the draw with Holland,Itay, Brazil and Spain if they all win their groups. overall whoever comes thru groups a-d and groups e-h play each other in the final.
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