The USA still have not come round to the sport of soccer as much as the other much beloved sports across the pond. However, an opening match in this year’s World Cup against the home of football provides the team with an opportunity to ignite a fury of excitement amongst Americans if a result can be achieved.
The USA naturally walked through qualifying beating Barbados 8-0 at the start of the campaign. They topped the third stage of qualifying when put against the best CONCACAF could offer and have now, despite being placed with England, been landed with a relatively straight forward group.
Group C hosts England, Slovenia and Algeria. England will be favourites, yet their recently poor showing at World Cups will probably mean they are one of the weaker seeded sides, giving the USA hope of at least a point, and maybe more. Slovenia and Algeria should both be overcome by an USA side with increasingly talent.
The USA’s main strength is their fitness. This is unsurprisingly for a nation that places a lot of emphasis on running for long periods at a quick pace. This increased stamina allows manager Bob Bradley to play a 4-4-2 formation, with the left and right-backs both given the licence to join in the attack as wing-backs.
Johnathan Spector and captain Carlos Bocanegra will play this role well. Both of them have experience with British clubs and so will know the English game well. Spector and Bocanegra have an all-round ability which allows them to push forward, yet they can also play anywhere along the back four.
In Tim Howard the USA have an excellent goalkeeper. Having played for Manchester United and Everton his reading of the English game will also be vital. He has been consistently strong for the Toffees so do not expect him to leak easy goals.
His two central defenders however, have been known to be susceptible to errors. Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu are both extremely physical players. Expect them to winch out of no challenge. Their over-the-top presence can be exploited though.
The midfield four of Donovan, Bradley, Clark and Dempsey are the bed-rock of the team. Donovan, Bradley and Dempsey all weighed in with 5 goals during qualification which is high for midfielders. Donovan and Dempsey will terrorise the wings, giving opposing full-backs a torrid time.
Donovan has 120caps for his country already, at the surprisingly young age of just 28 – the receding hairline clearly not an accurate representation. His 42 goals for the country make him also the USA’s all-time leading goalscorer. His brief spell at Everton was a great success. As for Dempsey his time at Fulham has been full of success, helping them reach the UEFA Cup Final this summer.
Hull City’s Jozy Altidore will lead the line up top. The 20 year olds presence will be felt by marking defenders. His 6 goals in qualifying made him the USA’s top goalscorer in the campaign. He will be expected to add to his goals for the nation.
The USA had an unexpected good Confederations Cup in 2009, beating Spain – the only team to do so in over 40 games the Spanish have played – and pushing Brazil in the Final. However, whether they can continue this run of form against the top teams is to be witnessed.
In their favour they do have a group that makes progression to the last 16 almost a guarantee. To lose out against Algeria or Slovenia would be a surprise. Once through the group stage better opposition await, yet on their day they can beat anyone. Let’s just hope they do not beat England on their way.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
USA
The USA still have not come round to the sport of soccer as much as the other much beloved sports across the pond. However, an opening match in this year’s World Cup against the home of football provides the team with an opportunity to ignite a fury of excitement amongst Americans if a result can be achieved.
The USA naturally walked through qualifying beating Barbados 8-0 at the start of the campaign. They topped the third stage of qualifying when put against the best CONCACAF could offer and have now, despite being placed with England, been landed with a relatively straight forward group.
Group C attends England, Slovenia and Algeria. England will be favourites, yet their recently poor showing at World Cups will probably mean they are one of the weaker seeded sides, giving the USA hope of at least a point, and maybe more. Slovenia and Algeria should both be overcome by an USA side with increasingly talent.
The USA’s main strength is their fitness. This is unsurprisingly for a nation that places a lot of emphasis on running for long periods at a quick pace. This increased stamina allows manager Bob Bradley to play a 4-4-2 formation, with the left and right-backs both given the licence to join in the attack as wing-backs.
Johnathan Spector and captain Carlos Bocanegra will play this role well. Both of them have experience with British clubs and so will know the English game well. Spector and Bocanegra have an all-round ability which allows them to push forward, yet they can also play anywhere along the back four.
In Tim Howard the USA have an excellent goalkeeper. Having played for Manchester United and Everton his reading of the English game will also be vital. He has been consistently strong for the Toffees so do not expect him to leak easy goals.
His two central defenders however, have been known to be susceptible to errors. Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu are both extremely physical players. Expect them to winch out of no challenge. Their over-the-top presence can be exploited though.
The midfield four of Donovan, Bradley, Clark and Dempsey are the bed-rock of the team. Donovan, Bradley and Dempsey all weighed in with 5 goals during qualification which is high for midfielders. Donovan and Dempsey will terrorise the wings, giving opposing full-backs a torrid time.
Donovan has 120caps for his country already, at the surprisingly young age of just 28 – the receding hairline clearly not an accurate representation. His 42 goals for the country make him also the USA’s all-time leading goalscorer. His brief spell at Everton was a great success. As for Dempsey his time at Fulham has been full of success, helping them reach the UEFA Cup Final this summer.
Hull City’s Jozy Altidore will lead the line up top. The 20 year olds presence will be felt by marking defenders. His 6 goals in qualifying made him the USA’s top goalscorer in the campaign. He will be expected to add to his goals for the nation.
The USA had an unexpected good Confederations Cup in 2009, beating Spain – the only team to do so in over 40 games they Spanish have played – and pushing Brazil in the Final. However, whether they can continue this run of form against the top teams is to be witnessed.
In their favour they do have a good that makes progression to the last 16 almost a guarantee. To lose out against Algeria or Slovenia would be a surprise. Once through the group stage better opposition await, yet on their day they can beat anyone. Let’s just hope they do not beat England on their way.
The USA naturally walked through qualifying beating Barbados 8-0 at the start of the campaign. They topped the third stage of qualifying when put against the best CONCACAF could offer and have now, despite being placed with England, been landed with a relatively straight forward group.
Group C attends England, Slovenia and Algeria. England will be favourites, yet their recently poor showing at World Cups will probably mean they are one of the weaker seeded sides, giving the USA hope of at least a point, and maybe more. Slovenia and Algeria should both be overcome by an USA side with increasingly talent.
The USA’s main strength is their fitness. This is unsurprisingly for a nation that places a lot of emphasis on running for long periods at a quick pace. This increased stamina allows manager Bob Bradley to play a 4-4-2 formation, with the left and right-backs both given the licence to join in the attack as wing-backs.
Johnathan Spector and captain Carlos Bocanegra will play this role well. Both of them have experience with British clubs and so will know the English game well. Spector and Bocanegra have an all-round ability which allows them to push forward, yet they can also play anywhere along the back four.
In Tim Howard the USA have an excellent goalkeeper. Having played for Manchester United and Everton his reading of the English game will also be vital. He has been consistently strong for the Toffees so do not expect him to leak easy goals.
His two central defenders however, have been known to be susceptible to errors. Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu are both extremely physical players. Expect them to winch out of no challenge. Their over-the-top presence can be exploited though.
The midfield four of Donovan, Bradley, Clark and Dempsey are the bed-rock of the team. Donovan, Bradley and Dempsey all weighed in with 5 goals during qualification which is high for midfielders. Donovan and Dempsey will terrorise the wings, giving opposing full-backs a torrid time.
Donovan has 120caps for his country already, at the surprisingly young age of just 28 – the receding hairline clearly not an accurate representation. His 42 goals for the country make him also the USA’s all-time leading goalscorer. His brief spell at Everton was a great success. As for Dempsey his time at Fulham has been full of success, helping them reach the UEFA Cup Final this summer.
Hull City’s Jozy Altidore will lead the line up top. The 20 year olds presence will be felt by marking defenders. His 6 goals in qualifying made him the USA’s top goalscorer in the campaign. He will be expected to add to his goals for the nation.
The USA had an unexpected good Confederations Cup in 2009, beating Spain – the only team to do so in over 40 games they Spanish have played – and pushing Brazil in the Final. However, whether they can continue this run of form against the top teams is to be witnessed.
In their favour they do have a good that makes progression to the last 16 almost a guarantee. To lose out against Algeria or Slovenia would be a surprise. Once through the group stage better opposition await, yet on their day they can beat anyone. Let’s just hope they do not beat England on their way.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Uruguay
Uruguay have once more qualified through the play-offs to reach the World Cup. Goals away by Lugano and at home by Abreu gave Uruguay an aggregate 2-1 victory over the unfortunate Costa Rica to make it to the finals. How they fair there, will probably correspond with how Deigo Forlan plays for them.
With countries such as Brazil and Argentina in their qualifying group, it is always going to be a challenge to qualify for the World Cup. Two other nations are guaranteed a ticket yet one more can be obtained, as it so invariably has, through a play-off match against a North American qualifier. So Uruguay have done well to make it to South Africa with a form that looks somewhat patchy.
Uruguay only won one game against another team that is managed to battle through qualification to reach South Africa, a 2-0 won at home against Paraguay. This lack of results against the better teams may show us that they may well struggle this summer.
The South American’s have managed to land themselves in Group A, which contains France (last times beaten finalists), Mexico (an omnipresent second round nation) and South Africa (the tournament hosts). Each tie is tricky for different reasons, but Uruguay do have the talent to cope, if they perform to their full potential.
The front pair of Deigo Forlan and Luis Suarez are a dangerous combination. Forlan will be remembered forever in Britain for being one of the biggest flops the Premier League has witnessed, going 50 games for Manchester United. However, he has topped the lead goalscorer charts in La Liga twice – once for Villarreal and once for Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez is Ajex’s club captain and has netted almost 70 goals in 100 matches for the side, an unbelievable achievement. Suarez scored four goals in qualifying and will be looking to score more at the World Cup. If he fails to hit the target, Oscar Tabarez can always bring on the reliable Sebastian Abreu, who scored 6 goals, many of which were after coming off the bench.
Expect to see Oscar Tabarez to field an attacking 5-3-2 formation, with defensive midfielders holding, giving the wing-backs licence to rampage forward to join in with the action in the latter parts of the pitch. This is his second time in charge of the national side, having taken Uruguay to the knock-out stages of Italia 90.
Despite playing with seemingly attacking wing-backs, MartinCaceres and Maxi Pereira are more natural gifted at defending. So do not expect to see too much flair coming from wide areas of the pitch.
Diego Lugano is the Uruguay captain and is also a solid centre-back. He will play in the middle of the back three, controlling the game with this feet and his voice. His head has also being very useful going forward, with Lugano scoring 4 goals during qualification, including the first against Costa Rica in the play-off.
Uruguay will be looking to progress to the second round, yet their group is tough. France will be expected to win and South Africa will look no doubt play better than their abilities suggest with the tournament being played there. However, Uruguay have the power to overcome all three of their group opponents, it is just whether their form will give them the consistency to play the football they are capable of. We shall have to wait and see.
With countries such as Brazil and Argentina in their qualifying group, it is always going to be a challenge to qualify for the World Cup. Two other nations are guaranteed a ticket yet one more can be obtained, as it so invariably has, through a play-off match against a North American qualifier. So Uruguay have done well to make it to South Africa with a form that looks somewhat patchy.
Uruguay only won one game against another team that is managed to battle through qualification to reach South Africa, a 2-0 won at home against Paraguay. This lack of results against the better teams may show us that they may well struggle this summer.
The South American’s have managed to land themselves in Group A, which contains France (last times beaten finalists), Mexico (an omnipresent second round nation) and South Africa (the tournament hosts). Each tie is tricky for different reasons, but Uruguay do have the talent to cope, if they perform to their full potential.
The front pair of Deigo Forlan and Luis Suarez are a dangerous combination. Forlan will be remembered forever in Britain for being one of the biggest flops the Premier League has witnessed, going 50 games for Manchester United. However, he has topped the lead goalscorer charts in La Liga twice – once for Villarreal and once for Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez is Ajex’s club captain and has netted almost 70 goals in 100 matches for the side, an unbelievable achievement. Suarez scored four goals in qualifying and will be looking to score more at the World Cup. If he fails to hit the target, Oscar Tabarez can always bring on the reliable Sebastian Abreu, who scored 6 goals, many of which were after coming off the bench.
Expect to see Oscar Tabarez to field an attacking 5-3-2 formation, with defensive midfielders holding, giving the wing-backs licence to rampage forward to join in with the action in the latter parts of the pitch. This is his second time in charge of the national side, having taken Uruguay to the knock-out stages of Italia 90.
Despite playing with seemingly attacking wing-backs, MartinCaceres and Maxi Pereira are more natural gifted at defending. So do not expect to see too much flair coming from wide areas of the pitch.
Diego Lugano is the Uruguay captain and is also a solid centre-back. He will play in the middle of the back three, controlling the game with this feet and his voice. His head has also being very useful going forward, with Lugano scoring 4 goals during qualification, including the first against Costa Rica in the play-off.
Uruguay will be looking to progress to the second round, yet their group is tough. France will be expected to win and South Africa will look no doubt play better than their abilities suggest with the tournament being played there. However, Uruguay have the power to overcome all three of their group opponents, it is just whether their form will give them the consistency to play the football they are capable of. We shall have to wait and see.
Switzerland
Undoubtedly, the Swiss are the most boring football team to watch this tournament. Their last appearance in Germany 2006 encapsulated perfectly what this nation is all about, drawing 0-0 with France, yet beating Togo and South Korea both 2-0 to progress to the last 16. The game against the Ukraine was eventually decided on penalties after 120minutes of mind-numbing goalless boredom. Ukraine missed their fair share and still managed to go through as the Swiss scored none in the shootout.
So, as you may guess, Switzerland are not a team full of attacking flair. They were the only side in Germany 2006 not to concede a goal in regulation play, a fine achievement. They grind out results and defend solidly. Unlike some of the other nations who defend on the basis of physical strength – such as Greece and Serbia – Switzerland rely on ball possession. What is missing is attacking pizzazz.
Inler and Fernandes control games from the centre of the park, yet they struggle to know what to do with the ball once they receive it, unless a square or backward pass is on. However, both break-up the opponents play well, making it hard for opposing teams to attack the defence.
The two wingers will look to provide some small spark. Tranquillo Barnetta helped Bayer Leverkusen go on an unbeaten 24-match unbeaten run at the start of the season, but this does not mean they won all 24 games, or that he aided the side in an attacking sense. Marco Padalino will make an appearance on the right having scored once in his 7 caps, a seemingly high strike-rate in this side.
The defence is marshalled by Philippe Senderos. The ex-Arsenal man is on his day a fine central defender. However, he can be prone to the odd case of stupidity, which may be why he is a former Arsenal player and not a current one.
The right-back Stephen Lichtsteiner is a capable player for Lazio. He also completed a banking apprenticeship. Unlike Ludovic Magnin who not only plays left-back but also is a qualified primary school teacher.
The strikepartnership of Alexander Frei and Blaise Nkufo score a large majority of the Swiss goals. In qualifying Switzerland scored 18 goals, Frei and Nkufo scored 10. Frei is the national team’s all-time leading goal-scorer, however, he frequently underperforms on the biggest stage and is a race to recover from injury.
Ottmar Hitzfeld is the Swiss national coach. He has won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. He will be looking to use all his tactical astuteness to man-manage Switzerland through to the second round. However, he will rarely change from a standard 4-4-2.
In a recent Four-Four-Two magazine, there were reports on each nation competing in the World Cup. Next to each article was a picture, usually of the team celebrating qualifying. For Switzerland, there was a picture of the national side training in the background, whilst in the foreground there was a cow with a bell round the neck. This is all they could do to liven up the Swiss team.
Switzerland will look to stifle their opponents. Spain will easily overcome this tactic. Chile have a great attacking flair, so expect a game played in two halves, depending on which one Switzerland is defending at the time. Honduras should find Switzerland hard to break down and so this may prove to be Switzerland’s one chance of points in South Africa.
Switzerland will struggle to get out of the group stages. To do so they will have to play some boring football. Only once in qualifying did they score more than 2 goals – they scored 3 against Luxembourg – however they never let in more than 2 either. So, they won’t even be entertaining in a embarrassing big loss way. Therefore, taking all this into account, Switzerland may be one team I may not mind missing during the tournament in South Africa.
So, as you may guess, Switzerland are not a team full of attacking flair. They were the only side in Germany 2006 not to concede a goal in regulation play, a fine achievement. They grind out results and defend solidly. Unlike some of the other nations who defend on the basis of physical strength – such as Greece and Serbia – Switzerland rely on ball possession. What is missing is attacking pizzazz.
Inler and Fernandes control games from the centre of the park, yet they struggle to know what to do with the ball once they receive it, unless a square or backward pass is on. However, both break-up the opponents play well, making it hard for opposing teams to attack the defence.
The two wingers will look to provide some small spark. Tranquillo Barnetta helped Bayer Leverkusen go on an unbeaten 24-match unbeaten run at the start of the season, but this does not mean they won all 24 games, or that he aided the side in an attacking sense. Marco Padalino will make an appearance on the right having scored once in his 7 caps, a seemingly high strike-rate in this side.
The defence is marshalled by Philippe Senderos. The ex-Arsenal man is on his day a fine central defender. However, he can be prone to the odd case of stupidity, which may be why he is a former Arsenal player and not a current one.
The right-back Stephen Lichtsteiner is a capable player for Lazio. He also completed a banking apprenticeship. Unlike Ludovic Magnin who not only plays left-back but also is a qualified primary school teacher.
The strikepartnership of Alexander Frei and Blaise Nkufo score a large majority of the Swiss goals. In qualifying Switzerland scored 18 goals, Frei and Nkufo scored 10. Frei is the national team’s all-time leading goal-scorer, however, he frequently underperforms on the biggest stage and is a race to recover from injury.
Ottmar Hitzfeld is the Swiss national coach. He has won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. He will be looking to use all his tactical astuteness to man-manage Switzerland through to the second round. However, he will rarely change from a standard 4-4-2.
In a recent Four-Four-Two magazine, there were reports on each nation competing in the World Cup. Next to each article was a picture, usually of the team celebrating qualifying. For Switzerland, there was a picture of the national side training in the background, whilst in the foreground there was a cow with a bell round the neck. This is all they could do to liven up the Swiss team.
Switzerland will look to stifle their opponents. Spain will easily overcome this tactic. Chile have a great attacking flair, so expect a game played in two halves, depending on which one Switzerland is defending at the time. Honduras should find Switzerland hard to break down and so this may prove to be Switzerland’s one chance of points in South Africa.
Switzerland will struggle to get out of the group stages. To do so they will have to play some boring football. Only once in qualifying did they score more than 2 goals – they scored 3 against Luxembourg – however they never let in more than 2 either. So, they won’t even be entertaining in a embarrassing big loss way. Therefore, taking all this into account, Switzerland may be one team I may not mind missing during the tournament in South Africa.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Spain
Current European Champions, World Cup favourites and their fellow countrymen had the joy of being stage-crashed at Eurovision by a randomer from the crowd, could life be any better for this previously underperforming nation?
The answer is an affirmative no. The first country ever to qualify for the World Cup having won all ten of their European qualifying group games. Only five goals were conceded, twenty-eight netted. Unstoppable? Not quite, they have lost one game in their last 45 competitive games (a 2-0 lost to the USA in the Confederations Cup semi-final). There is hope for everyone else yet.
But then once again the realisation occurs, Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Senna cannot hold down a place in the starting XI. Fabregas, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, does not start regularly for his national side, just how good are they?
You think there must be a mistake, someone must be able to be moved around to let him in, but then you notice Xabi Alonso plays the defensive role. Liverpool have collapsed without him, his passing range second to none – well, apart from two other Spanish midfielders.
The midfield three in front of Alonso are David Silva, Xavi and Iniesta. The jaw simply drops. No wonder Thierry Henry came off the pitch for France after playing Spain shrugging and saying “You can’t get the ball off them.”
Yet, their passing is not just accurate but it is also cutting. Every one of them can open-up a defence easier than eating a biscuit before dinner because you are that hungry. Like a bull to the red rag, expect to see a few frustrated opposing midfielders try to prevent this unit in the only way possibly, inevitably leading to a red card.
If you thought the midfield was unbelievable you may find yourself in shock when you hear the calibre of the two main strikers – Fernando Torres and David Villa. Actually, you probably won’t be in shock, because you cannot fail to know these two players. Even in an injury filled season for Liverpool Torres has been their best player. As for David Villa he has scored 36 goals in 55 caps. The pair are unstoppable.
The defence is supposedly weak. Pique and Puyol evidentially are much poorer than I notice. One was one of the world’s best centre-backs yet remains to play at a high level, the other is becoming the world’s best centre-back. Both play for Barcelona, this extended relationship will help make them stable.
The Spanish keeper is Iker Casillas. With 102 caps he is one of the most experienced players at the World Cup. He is also the captain of the Spanish side, keeping Pepe Reina firmly on the bench. His ability and agility have kept him at the top of his game throughout his distinguished career.
Vicente Del Bosque is the man in charge of picking the team, however, I think even the likes of you and me could manage this side. There really is not much too it. How can you mess up a side so unstoppable?
So are Spain going to do what people expect this year and finally conquer the World? The statistics, the players, and the scorelines all suggest the same outcome, their name should be etched into the history books come the end of the tournament. If they lose, they will go down as the greatest team ever not to win.
The answer is an affirmative no. The first country ever to qualify for the World Cup having won all ten of their European qualifying group games. Only five goals were conceded, twenty-eight netted. Unstoppable? Not quite, they have lost one game in their last 45 competitive games (a 2-0 lost to the USA in the Confederations Cup semi-final). There is hope for everyone else yet.
But then once again the realisation occurs, Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Senna cannot hold down a place in the starting XI. Fabregas, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, does not start regularly for his national side, just how good are they?
You think there must be a mistake, someone must be able to be moved around to let him in, but then you notice Xabi Alonso plays the defensive role. Liverpool have collapsed without him, his passing range second to none – well, apart from two other Spanish midfielders.
The midfield three in front of Alonso are David Silva, Xavi and Iniesta. The jaw simply drops. No wonder Thierry Henry came off the pitch for France after playing Spain shrugging and saying “You can’t get the ball off them.”
Yet, their passing is not just accurate but it is also cutting. Every one of them can open-up a defence easier than eating a biscuit before dinner because you are that hungry. Like a bull to the red rag, expect to see a few frustrated opposing midfielders try to prevent this unit in the only way possibly, inevitably leading to a red card.
If you thought the midfield was unbelievable you may find yourself in shock when you hear the calibre of the two main strikers – Fernando Torres and David Villa. Actually, you probably won’t be in shock, because you cannot fail to know these two players. Even in an injury filled season for Liverpool Torres has been their best player. As for David Villa he has scored 36 goals in 55 caps. The pair are unstoppable.
The defence is supposedly weak. Pique and Puyol evidentially are much poorer than I notice. One was one of the world’s best centre-backs yet remains to play at a high level, the other is becoming the world’s best centre-back. Both play for Barcelona, this extended relationship will help make them stable.
The Spanish keeper is Iker Casillas. With 102 caps he is one of the most experienced players at the World Cup. He is also the captain of the Spanish side, keeping Pepe Reina firmly on the bench. His ability and agility have kept him at the top of his game throughout his distinguished career.
Vicente Del Bosque is the man in charge of picking the team, however, I think even the likes of you and me could manage this side. There really is not much too it. How can you mess up a side so unstoppable?
So are Spain going to do what people expect this year and finally conquer the World? The statistics, the players, and the scorelines all suggest the same outcome, their name should be etched into the history books come the end of the tournament. If they lose, they will go down as the greatest team ever not to win.
Friday, 4 June 2010
South Korea
Ever-present since Mexico 86, South Korea has once again sauntered through qualifying to reach the World Cup finals in South Africa. For those of you who are accomplished mathematicians, 2010 makes it their seventh consecutive appearance – their 8th finals overall – no mean feat.
The Red Devil’s record in World Cups is seemingly poor though, with the Koreans struggling to match the ability of the nations who reside outside of Asia. In the first 5 World Cups South Korea attended they failed to win a match. This changed dramatically in 2002 when they joint hosted the tournament, going on a magical run that led them all the way to the semi-finals, bypassing Portugal, Spain and Italy along the way. A truly remarkable achievement, something hosts South Africa will no doubt be clinging onto.
In Germany 2006 the Koreans once more slipped back into normality, failing to get out of the group stages. However, they did beat Togo 2-1 which was their first win in the World Cup out of Asia, a massive weight lifted off the nation’s collective shoulders. South Korea did manage a 1-1 draw with eventual finalists France, but a 2-0 loss to Switzerland meant they failed to progress.
The Tigers of Asia were drawn in Group B along with Argentina, Greece and Nigeria. This is a very competitive group, but then again one of South Korea’s main strengths is their work-rate. Argentina should over-power the group. Having said that, worries over Maradona as a manager could work in favour of their opposition. Greece and Nigeria both play a similar game, with reliance on strength and defence key. A strong team unit will be formed in the hope to nick a goal to oust the competition. This means South Korea will need to have some creativity to open-up gaps and to break down defences.
Manchester United player and The Red Devils captain Park Ji-sung is the midfield maestro who the fans will want to sparkle. Park Ji-sung became the first Asian player to play in the Champions League final and will be representing his country at his third World Cup. His hard working attitude, coupled with an eye to create space, make him a dangerous weapon. He found the net four times in qualifying and scored the goal that knocked Portugal out of the World Cup and advanced South Korea to the last 16 in 2002.
The midfield also plays host to Celtic’s Ki Sung-yong who is a highly rated Asian football, aged just 21. Lee Chung-yong occupies the right wing and after his impressive form for Bolton this year he will be looking to hit the mark in South Africa. Lee Chung-yong is dangerous from dead-balls due to his accurate crossing ability.
Park Chu-young scored four times in qualifying and is expected to bag the all important goals this summer. He plays his domestic football for French side Monaco. His speed is his main weapon but he also adds creativity and a skilled passing ability to his repertoire.
The defence may be South Korea’s main concern with a combined aged, including the goalkeeper, of 157 years. With age though comes experience and players such as left-back Lee Young-pyo have now travelled around some top European leagues. Lee Young-po had a stint at Spurs and has also played in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.
The manager Huh Jung-moo has been in and out of the national set-up for 21 years now and is part of the management staff for the 4th time. At times his defensive tactics and preferred team players have caused confusion and annoyance amongst fans, but he won Asian Coach of the Year in 2009 and always gets a lot out of all players.
Since the unbelievable success in the World Cup in 2002 expectation has been high that South Korea will perform well. It is clear that they struggle to adapt to the difference between opponents they dominate in qualifying, to the teams they play on the world stage. The step-up is hard, but The Red Devils have enough quality and team determination to do what they have never achieved out of Asia before, and advance to the last 16.
The Red Devil’s record in World Cups is seemingly poor though, with the Koreans struggling to match the ability of the nations who reside outside of Asia. In the first 5 World Cups South Korea attended they failed to win a match. This changed dramatically in 2002 when they joint hosted the tournament, going on a magical run that led them all the way to the semi-finals, bypassing Portugal, Spain and Italy along the way. A truly remarkable achievement, something hosts South Africa will no doubt be clinging onto.
In Germany 2006 the Koreans once more slipped back into normality, failing to get out of the group stages. However, they did beat Togo 2-1 which was their first win in the World Cup out of Asia, a massive weight lifted off the nation’s collective shoulders. South Korea did manage a 1-1 draw with eventual finalists France, but a 2-0 loss to Switzerland meant they failed to progress.
The Tigers of Asia were drawn in Group B along with Argentina, Greece and Nigeria. This is a very competitive group, but then again one of South Korea’s main strengths is their work-rate. Argentina should over-power the group. Having said that, worries over Maradona as a manager could work in favour of their opposition. Greece and Nigeria both play a similar game, with reliance on strength and defence key. A strong team unit will be formed in the hope to nick a goal to oust the competition. This means South Korea will need to have some creativity to open-up gaps and to break down defences.
Manchester United player and The Red Devils captain Park Ji-sung is the midfield maestro who the fans will want to sparkle. Park Ji-sung became the first Asian player to play in the Champions League final and will be representing his country at his third World Cup. His hard working attitude, coupled with an eye to create space, make him a dangerous weapon. He found the net four times in qualifying and scored the goal that knocked Portugal out of the World Cup and advanced South Korea to the last 16 in 2002.
The midfield also plays host to Celtic’s Ki Sung-yong who is a highly rated Asian football, aged just 21. Lee Chung-yong occupies the right wing and after his impressive form for Bolton this year he will be looking to hit the mark in South Africa. Lee Chung-yong is dangerous from dead-balls due to his accurate crossing ability.
Park Chu-young scored four times in qualifying and is expected to bag the all important goals this summer. He plays his domestic football for French side Monaco. His speed is his main weapon but he also adds creativity and a skilled passing ability to his repertoire.
The defence may be South Korea’s main concern with a combined aged, including the goalkeeper, of 157 years. With age though comes experience and players such as left-back Lee Young-pyo have now travelled around some top European leagues. Lee Young-po had a stint at Spurs and has also played in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.
The manager Huh Jung-moo has been in and out of the national set-up for 21 years now and is part of the management staff for the 4th time. At times his defensive tactics and preferred team players have caused confusion and annoyance amongst fans, but he won Asian Coach of the Year in 2009 and always gets a lot out of all players.
Since the unbelievable success in the World Cup in 2002 expectation has been high that South Korea will perform well. It is clear that they struggle to adapt to the difference between opponents they dominate in qualifying, to the teams they play on the world stage. The step-up is hard, but The Red Devils have enough quality and team determination to do what they have never achieved out of Asia before, and advance to the last 16.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
South Africa
The World Cup has finally made it to Africa. Months of preparation, construction, anticipation and saving up for months on end to be able to queue for hours to buy that gloriously elusive World Cup ticket have all been part and parcel of this wondrous occasion, unfortunately the opportunity to go down in the history books as being the first host nation to fail to make it through the group stages of the competition looms over the heads of the South African team.
Bafana Bafana are not intending to go quietly though with the noise created by home supporters decimals above other European crowds, helped by the sound of the vuvuzela an instrument that FIFA had attempted to ban. It wouldn’t be African football without the vuvuzela and it wouldn’t be African football if the noise bared any resemblance to the action that took place on the field.
Naturally with South Africa hosting the tournament there is no need for them to qualify. If this were the case they certainly would not be partaking, which would be absolute travesty. No doubt they will up their game on home soil and prove the doubters wrong.
Form though has been haphazard for Bafana Bafana with a Confederations Cup 4th place finish coming with a failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. A lack of competitive matches in the run up to the tournament means that direct form cannot be easily assessed. Having only scored one goal in seven matches in late 2009 though is a major concern.
To their advantage South Africa do have a very experienced manager guiding them through the tournament. Carlos Alberto Parreria has taken Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, whilst also taking charge of Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia in 1982, 1990 and 1998 respectively. Hopefully his management can be proved pivotal in creating an atmosphere that is not only intent on winning, but actually does so.
With most of South Africa’s national side playing in the domestic league of South Africa, three men in particular will be focused on to carry their team into the second round of the tournament. South Africa’s captain is Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena, the bedrock of the Bafana Bafana defence. His recent play has been questioned, but with 100caps to his name his experience at the back will be vital.
Leading the golden charge to the golden boot which will aid progression from the group is failing Premier League striker Benni McCarthy. The West Ham forward may not have reached the dizzy heights that were consistently expected of him but he is still South Africa’s main hope up front. The country’s highest ever goal-scorer has notched up 31 goals in 78 caps. He will need to find the net a couple more times this summer to help his nation advance.
South Africa do boast one truly world-class player, his name is Steven Pienaar. Another tremendous season at Everton has meant that expectation is high on him to perform this summer. His speed, trickery and great technical ability have turned him into a creator and even a finisher. His form will be the key to their success.
Critics are worried that Group A will prove too difficult a task to overcome for Bafana Bafana, yet realistically, the group is not as hard as it could have been. Admittedly, France, Mexico and Uruguay are all very capable, with talent throughout each side. However, Mexico have looked susceptible at the back and Uruguay only just scraped through qualification. France also used every limb to get to South Africa, looking disorientated along the way. Whether they will be on top form come June is to be seen.
Therefore, it maybe that South Africa have a better chance of progressing from the group than previously thought. In Itumeleng Khune they have a great shot-stopper. Whereas Siboniso Gaxa will be a maverick up and down the right-wing. Kagisho Dikgacoi provides a big physical presence in midfield, whilst Teka Modise contrasts this nicely by possessing classy technical ability. On the opposing wing to Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala provides not only a great name, but an eccentric style, being known for sensational goals and sensational misses. And McCarthy’s partner Bernard Parker has started to add goals to his game.
So all in all, this could be another World Cup where the home nation shocks all but delights every neutral in the world, by advancing into the latter stages of the tournament, spurred on by the glamour that the World Cup brings. For everyone’s sake at the World Cup, let’s hope this is the case, we don’t want the locals to get violent now do we.
Bafana Bafana are not intending to go quietly though with the noise created by home supporters decimals above other European crowds, helped by the sound of the vuvuzela an instrument that FIFA had attempted to ban. It wouldn’t be African football without the vuvuzela and it wouldn’t be African football if the noise bared any resemblance to the action that took place on the field.
Naturally with South Africa hosting the tournament there is no need for them to qualify. If this were the case they certainly would not be partaking, which would be absolute travesty. No doubt they will up their game on home soil and prove the doubters wrong.
Form though has been haphazard for Bafana Bafana with a Confederations Cup 4th place finish coming with a failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. A lack of competitive matches in the run up to the tournament means that direct form cannot be easily assessed. Having only scored one goal in seven matches in late 2009 though is a major concern.
To their advantage South Africa do have a very experienced manager guiding them through the tournament. Carlos Alberto Parreria has taken Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, whilst also taking charge of Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia in 1982, 1990 and 1998 respectively. Hopefully his management can be proved pivotal in creating an atmosphere that is not only intent on winning, but actually does so.
With most of South Africa’s national side playing in the domestic league of South Africa, three men in particular will be focused on to carry their team into the second round of the tournament. South Africa’s captain is Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena, the bedrock of the Bafana Bafana defence. His recent play has been questioned, but with 100caps to his name his experience at the back will be vital.
Leading the golden charge to the golden boot which will aid progression from the group is failing Premier League striker Benni McCarthy. The West Ham forward may not have reached the dizzy heights that were consistently expected of him but he is still South Africa’s main hope up front. The country’s highest ever goal-scorer has notched up 31 goals in 78 caps. He will need to find the net a couple more times this summer to help his nation advance.
South Africa do boast one truly world-class player, his name is Steven Pienaar. Another tremendous season at Everton has meant that expectation is high on him to perform this summer. His speed, trickery and great technical ability have turned him into a creator and even a finisher. His form will be the key to their success.
Critics are worried that Group A will prove too difficult a task to overcome for Bafana Bafana, yet realistically, the group is not as hard as it could have been. Admittedly, France, Mexico and Uruguay are all very capable, with talent throughout each side. However, Mexico have looked susceptible at the back and Uruguay only just scraped through qualification. France also used every limb to get to South Africa, looking disorientated along the way. Whether they will be on top form come June is to be seen.
Therefore, it maybe that South Africa have a better chance of progressing from the group than previously thought. In Itumeleng Khune they have a great shot-stopper. Whereas Siboniso Gaxa will be a maverick up and down the right-wing. Kagisho Dikgacoi provides a big physical presence in midfield, whilst Teka Modise contrasts this nicely by possessing classy technical ability. On the opposing wing to Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala provides not only a great name, but an eccentric style, being known for sensational goals and sensational misses. And McCarthy’s partner Bernard Parker has started to add goals to his game.
So all in all, this could be another World Cup where the home nation shocks all but delights every neutral in the world, by advancing into the latter stages of the tournament, spurred on by the glamour that the World Cup brings. For everyone’s sake at the World Cup, let’s hope this is the case, we don’t want the locals to get violent now do we.
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