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| WC 2010 Draw: Wynalda STFU! |
| It was a beautiful day for the beautiful game as the 32 teams who qualified for the 2010 World Cup were slotted in their group. South Africa is playing host to the World Cup and received the automatic berth into Group A. The first thing that needs to happen is for former US star, Eric Wynalda to STFU! Let's also include Julie Foudy too. "This is the best draw we've ever had in any World Cup," said former U.S. forward Eric Wynalda, now an analyst for the Fox Soccer Channel. "No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us." I have never been a fan of the US soccer boys, one because they call it soccer and not football, but because they are a bunch of overrated, under achieving primadonnas. Sure they can lay claim to beating Spain in a match that meant nothing, but that victory was not a UEFA Cup or World Cup. US better not overlook Solvenia. Sure they did not qualify in 2006 and were 0-3 in group stage play in 2002. I will say the US has a better chance at advancing in 2010 than they did in 2006, but nothing is a sure thing. Speaking of primadonnas we now must listen to Landon Donovan whine because there will be continue talk of Landon versus David (Beckham). Donovan shrugged his shoulders when the U.S. was picked to play England. "It never ends," he said - apparent reference to his connection to the English star. Waaaa....Donovan, please retire. I guess that won't happen since you ARE playing the MLS, where the old star from other countries come to star in. MLS is not professional football. So enjoy the group stage. It will be your last one. As for those teams that play football, there appear to be some clear cut group winners. Starting with Group A, Mexico and France should be favorites. Too bad, France, who should not even be in the competition. Group B should see Argentina through, as for the other team, Greece or Nigeria should emerge. Group D features a powerful and potential favorite in Germany. Ghana played well in 2006 and could make it out of the group in 2010. Group E should see the Dutch and Cameroon to the knock out stage. Group F, Italy should be pleased they have an easy group in 2010. This group should also see Slovakia through as well. Group H features UEFA Cup Champions, Spain through to the knock out stage. As for the second team, I feel it's a toss up. Let me say Honduras. As for Group G, welcome to the "Group of Death." What an interesting make up of this draw that features perennial favorites, Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast and Portugal. Much of the talk heading into this World Cup was the possibility of an African nation winning the cup. In previous cups, Nigeria and Cameroon have had good showings this year Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) had been tabbed as the best African nation, unfortunately they ended up in a very difficult group. If I had to choose two teams out of Group G, Brazil and Portugal move on. Portugal could have some question marks though. In 2006 they finished 4th. During qualify they did not record a loss, so it will be interesting to see if Big Phil can work his magic. They do feature Christiano Ronaldo up front. Brazil is a football powerhouse! Their squad is quality through the starting XI. Nice to see some AS Roma stars in on the squad, but much of the focus will be on Kaká in the midfield. It will be interest to watch the progress that Pato makes in the Serie A. He is a star of tomorrow, who's stock continues to rise. Hopefully he gets a chance in 2010 to showcase his skills. Cracking the squad will be difficult, but we still have a long time before the kickoff in South Africa. So the draw is done and the groups are set. Now let the speculation begin. Who comes out of the Group of Death? What team scores a surprise berth out of the group stage. Which ranked team gets knocked out? Many questions will be raised up until June 11. While I would like to pin Italy in the finals they won't have an easy road for the repeat once out of the group stage. Spain has to be one of the favorites after their European Championship in 2008, but teams like Germany and Brazil are set to face a tough test. |
| W6ONV on Friday 04 December 2009 - 15:45:38 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |
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