World Cup Action
June 15, 2006 | By Drew Wilson | 
Discuss
Ok, being that this is my first article for PhillyPurge.com, an introduction seems appropriate. Then we will look at the action of the World Cup and I will tell you which 16 teams will make it through group play. First of all, I live and breathe sports. It is something I could not do without. That fact has led me to be called a homer at times, for my North Carolina Tar Heels, Dallas Cowboys, many other teams…and of course the US. On the other hand, that has never gotten in my way of ripping general managers, coaches, players, and even fans of the teams I care for, which speaks to what I can AND will do to those teams I do not like. Lastly, I am young, aggressive, and almost always correct. In the off chance I am wrong; you will never hear it from me. Why? Well because frankly, you got lucky. That about sums it up so now we can move on to the action. Thus far every team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup has had at least one opportunity to show what they are made up. There have been great performances by top teams, a couple of duds, and a few upsets. I will tell you their futures.
Group A:
This group is one game ahead of all the others and the group is shaking
up differently than expected. The first reason was a surprise upset by Ecuador
beating Poland 2-nil (it is the soccer thing to say, right?) in their first
game. It was a shocker and a devastating loss for Poland, who was put in
a similar situation as the US. Poland would have to take the host, Germany,
to have a chance to move on from group play. History was against them as
the Poles are 0-10-4 all-time vs. the German side. This led to one of the
better matches in the World Cup thus far, but Germany pulled out the 1-0
win in the first minute of stoppage time in the second half. The goal crushed
Poland’s hopes of advancing. A tie would have left a small glimmer;
however, Germany (2-0) has now sealed the #1 spot in this group. However,
the German defense has looked suspect in the World Cup opening 4-2 win over
a less than stellar Costa Rica team, which has led to questions of the Germans'
capability of moving far in this tournament. This group proves how important
the first game can be, because now Ecuador looks to advance past group play
with a win or tie over Costa Rica. The Poles will likely finish 3rd in the
group.
Group B:
For all the casual World Cup fans out there, jump on the Trinidad and Tobago
bandwagon. Do they have a chance to make much noise in the World Cup? Not
really. One odds maker set this team off at 2000-1 to win the World Cup.
They are the smallest nation to ever qualify. These players are just happy
to be here, but in their first game they pulled off a stunner. The small
country and their fans celebrated a tie, 0-0, with Sweden like they had
just won the whole thing. Sweden was projected to be one of the top two
in this group moving out of group play, so this was a monumental “upset”
without the win. Unfortunately I expect the soccer team representing just
two main islands and 21 smaller ones to lose their next two games to England
and Paraguay. England will lock the #1 spot in this group up with a win
over Trinidad and Tobago, and the #2 spot will come down to one game. Sweden
vs. Paraguay for the right to move past group play. Look for the Swedes
to recoup after the wake up call and get past Paraguay 2-1.
Group C:
If you are not a part of the America media, this is the real “Group
of Death”. Thus far Argentina looked impressive earning a 2-1 victory
over the Ivory Coast, an African nation team that is very dangerous. Also,
the Dutch looked like solid in a 1-nil win over Serbia and Montenegro. Look
for Argentina to roll over Serbia and Montenegro in their next game by a
score of 3-1. The biggest game in this group is between the Netherlands
and Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast has a lot to play for as their country
is finally unified in hopes this team can make a run. However, the Netherlands
is very strong. Tune into this one because it should be a great contest
but I have the Netherlands getting by in a 2-1 thriller. That means Argentina
and the Netherlands will play for the right to have the #1 seed in group
C. This should be another great contest. Both sides look poised to make
a run deep into the World Cup. I would not be surprised to see a draw here,
but I will give Argentina the slight edge based on overall talent and a
one goal win.
Group D:
Ok, this is a pretty boring group to me. Mexico and Portugal will advance.
Iran has the ability to upset somebody, but I do not see them getting through
this group by any means. Book Portugal’s ticket as the #1 team in
this group with Mexico falling short in a close call but still have the
rights to #2.
Group F:
Are you kidding me Japan? Japan gave up three goals to Australia in the
last 10 minutes of the game to cap a stunning loss. You choke like that
and you don’t recover. I do not care who you are. Australia better
enjoy that win though, because they have two losses coming. Brazil is obviously
the odds on favorite to win the entire World Cup. Well fans are not happy
with their opening game 1-nil win over Croatia. On the other hand, Croatia
is thrilled. Croatia did not play scared and went right after the heavily
favored Brazilians giving them a great moral victory…if you believe
in those. I would look for Croatia to go on to beat Japan and Australia
earning the rights to the #2 seed from this group. Brazil sweeps the group
of course, and it will not be ugly victories either. Expect that 1-0 margin
vs. Croatia to rise in a big way.
Group G:
The story here seems to be Togo to me. I find it pathetic the Togo coached
bailed out on the team four days before their World Cup opening because
of a money dispute, then came back two days later. The World Cup happens
every four years, and not that often for any team like Togo. You could not
settle that before making the trip to Germany from wherever Togo is located?!?
Somehow Togo still managed to climb on top of Korea with an early goal,
only to lose it in the 2nd half. It was Korea’s first win in Europe…in
a long time and it was ugly. France also did not play up to par only coming
away with a tie vs. Switzerland. Look for them to re-group and beat up on
Korea and Togo. The Switzerland vs. Korea game will decide this group. Korea
just is not any good on European soil and Switzerland is somewhat at home.
Look for the Swiss to end 2-0-1 in the group, along with France. Then it
will go to goal differential to decide this thing. The Swiss are far too
neutral for anything tie-breakers. France edges them due to a 4-0 beating
of Togo. Togo’s coach quits in the middle of the game.
Group H:
This group is interesting, and the only one I am still debating. Spain looked
very good, ending their notorious slow starts in the World Cup smoking Ukraine
4-nil. While Saudi Arabia let Tunisia score a goal in the last minutes of
the game to walk away with a 2-2 draw. Originally I had Spain and Ukraine
pegged as the top two teams in this group, with Saudi Arabia falling a not
so distant third. Well my #2 and #3 teams in this group were disappointing
at best. I guess I will go with my original thoughts on this and assume
Ukraine can finish 2-0 or at least 1-0-1 to grab the #2 spot in the group.
Spain should sweep, especially seeing how they looked in their first game.
Saudi Arabia allowing that late Tunisia goal will come back to haunt them
in a bad way.
Group E:
Ok, I skipped this group for obvious reasons. Coach Bruce Arena. Listen
up. Instead of calling out your players why didn’t you better plan
for the Czech Republic? Landon Donovan up top…WRONG. DeMarcus Beasley
on the right mid-field as a dominant left footed player…WRONG. Eddie
Lewis on the team…WRONG. I do not want to hear any excuses from anyone,
especially the American media that knows nothing about soccer. They are
saying we suck on European soil; we are the same old Americans; we have
not beaten Italy in blah blah years. SHUT UP.
This team has the talent to have won this group and they CAN beat Italy.
Here is how: Take out Bobby Convey from LMF. Put Beasley at his natural
position. Move Landon back to mid-field where he can control the game. Put
Eddie Johnson in the starting lineup and up front with McBride. Do something
with Eddie Lewis….please. Light a fire under these boys’ asses.
Let’s be serious. For those of you that do not understand soccer…you
probably have not read this far, but the US is a good soccer team. They
have talent. If they go out there and play like they are capable they can
beat Italy, then Ghana and move on from this group. Will they? Well, not
even I will say that yet. Italy showed weakness to speed, which we have.
They have flaws which we can exploit. I am not going to call this game,
but I truly believe the US has the talent to win the game. Whether or not
the proper adjustments are made and the team plays with some heart remains
to be seen. No matter if you are soccer stupid or not, I hope you tune in
on Saturday to cheer in Sam’s Army though. Something may even surprise
you. One game changes everything right?
In the next article, as the groups pan out like I told you…I will
focus on the contenders and pretenders in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
