FIFA World Cup 2010

[The Coon Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Great presentation in the thread TCD. The soccer balls were the right size


I would be interested from the soccer fans here, when they have time, if they could give us some predictions of which countries they think will go through from each group. Some groups seem harder than others to know how it will pan out, so would be interesting to read peoples predictions.

Thanks TBFB & good to see you back.

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. Tough one, all 4 could conceivably qualify, but its tough to name 2 with a degree of certainty, but if pushed I'd go with France & Mexico.

Croup B - Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece. Who knows how Argentina will go with the madman Maradona at the helm? More than enough talent surely to qualify. A toss of the coin for the other spot, but I'll go with South Korea.

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia. England should qualify comfortably, perhaps their game against the USA to determine top spot. USA to also progress.

Group D - Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia - I can't see Australia getting within a bulls roar of qualifying to be honest. Germany & Serbia for me.

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon - The Dutch should top this group & will progress along with the Danes.

Group F - Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand - Can't see too many demons for the Azzure here. Italy & Paraguay to progress.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast. Brazil to qualify & Portugal & the Ivorians to fight it out. Going with Portugal.

Group H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile. Spain to progress effortlessly along with the Chileans.

No African teams to progress, 9 from Europe, 4 from South America, 2 from North America & 1 from Asia.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Thanks TBFB & good to see you back.

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. Tough one, all 4 could conceivably qualify, but its tough to name 2 with a degree of certainty, but if pushed I'd go with France & Mexico..

Agree....I think Mexico and France should get through. The dark horse will be South Africa not on form, but because they are the home nation.

Croup B - Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece. Who knows how Argentina will go with the madman Maradona at the helm? More than enough talent surely to qualify. A toss of the coin for the other spot, but I'll go with South Korea..

Argentina will get through......mainly because the other teams in the group are so poor. I would say that Nigeria will make it through mainly because its in Africa.

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia. England should qualify comfortably, perhaps their game against the USA to determine top spot. USA to also progress..

England should win this group easily. The USA are probably the next best, though Slovenia will provide stiff competition.

Group D - Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia - I can't see Australia getting within a bulls roar of qualifying to be honest. Germany & Serbia for me..

Heart says Australia will get through, but head says that they will struggle....really this is the Group of Death with no team being a clear cut definite, not even Germany who for mine are weaker then they have been in other tournements. If pushed.....Germany and Ghana.....but probably the most difficult group to predict and one where goals will be really valuable so not conceding will be as important as scoring.

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon - The Dutch should top this group & will progress along with the Danes..

Netherlands clearly in front, though I think Japan will probably sneak through. I think the Danes though a well organised outfit will struggle to contain Japan's flair....though if Japan defend the way they did against England in the recent friendly the Danes will go through.

Group F - Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand - Can't see too many demons for the Azzure here. Italy & Paraguay to progress..

Agree with TCD, Italy and Paraguay.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast. Brazil to qualify & Portugal & the Ivorians to fight it out. Going with Portugal..

Could I predict an upset and say that Portugal and Cote-d'Ivoire? Nah, Brasil have never not made it out of the GRoup Stages and I can't see them not getting out here. Brasil and Cote d'Ivoire, Drogba and co to outpoint Ronaldo and co.

Group H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile. Spain to progress effortlessly along with the Chileans..

Spain and Chile the two standouts here.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Only 7 days to go!

My tips;


Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France. Tough indeed. France and hopefully Bafana Bafana. No host nation has never not made it out of the group stages and I hope this is not the first time. The atmosphere in SA will be so much better if they are doing well.

Group B - Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece. Agree with TCG. Diego is mad, but he has talent in spades. South Korea to go through, just. They have only ever got out of the group when they hosted in 2002.

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia. Agree again. Can't go past England and the USA. Love for the USA to win the first game against England just to see the reaction by Fleet Street, it would be mayhem.

Group D - Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia. Germany has the pedigree and team to easily top the group. Then it is very even. Hoping that some big Aussie ticker and a very professional (probably the best prepared, getting there so early) and organised Aussie team is enough to see them through.

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon. The Oranje are in incredible form and a delight to watch play and will coast through this group (then most probably implode against some team they should win against). If Eto is on song, Cameroon could go through, but that is a big if. Denmark to also go through.

Group F - Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand. The Azzuri (I know you are big one for spelling TCG, it is an i not an e) have an aging experienced team without a real forward creative play maker (think Baggio, Totti etc.) for the first time in memory but should still have enough class to top this group. Slovakia just in what should be a tight battle with Paraguay.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast. The so called "Group of death". What did North Korea do to deserve this group (mmmm, yes, plenty!). Some massive games in this group, can't wait, what a football feast so early. Brazil, because they are Brazil (even if the lack the absolute superstar forwards they normally have, their defense is absolutely world class). The Elephants for me. Again, great to see an African nation progress.

Group H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile. The Swiss versus the Spanish speaking countries. Spain easily to top the group and then the dour, boring but super efficient Swiss to go through.

This is the pinnacle of world sport. What a feast awaits us sport crazed lunatics (even more so, followers of the round ball game).

Can't wait to hear that Aussie anthem come June 13th. Go Socceroos!

[Missing Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

No host nation has never not made it out of the group stages

I read that stat yesterday. It just goes to show how much playing on your home turf helps. I think Japan and Korea were the best examples of it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Great website here for 'predictions' -- http://www.castrolfootball.com/predictor/ -- based on the Castrol World Rankings of players and teams. You can see group predictions, knockout stage predictions etc. It's a bit of fun from a statistical perspective, but I think pretty much says what we're all thinking. It has Brazil beating Spain in the final.

--

As for the group predictions, I think we're all pretty much on the same page but some thoughts:

• England will do their best to stuff up their group but will get through -- USA upsetting them in echoes of 1950 to top the group not out of the realm of possibility though.. this US team are unspectacular but effective, bloody fast and very clinical in front of goal (Clint Dempsey and Aliedere are very nice players). Pretty much the opposite of England then -- good on paper, but slow and boring in reality. The US are also the only team to have beaten Spain in the last 3 years! (in the semis of the no-one-cares Confed Cup)
• I think Argentina will do much better than everyone is expecting -- Diego IS mad, but he is not stupid, and he knows a thing or two about winning this thing. The same XI have started every match and they will be settled and effective in the tournament. Everyone is focussing on the absences of Cambiasso and Zanetti, but these guys are better for Inter than they've ever been for Argo anyway, and their replacements in the first XI aren't actually bad players.
• Everyone is doomy and gloomy, but I think Australia will surprise. Their tactics look terrible against lower/mid-level teams, but will be ideal against the likes of Germany and Ghana, who won't be able to help themselves in coming forward, thus leaving acres of room behind them. The spine is compact and solid, Brett Holman has also been playing the false nine role pretty well, dropping deep and dragging a centreback with him, leaving space behind the defense, and Josh Kennedy will always be an awkward customer with his height. We also have one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament (top three, I would say, after Casillas and Buffon). If the Aussies get one or two fast breaks right, that'll be all they need to progress.
• Finally, there should hopefully be upsets a-plenty in the group stages. Underdogs/dark horses Chile (especially), North Korea, Japan, and even New Zealand have all shown enough over the last couple of years to show that they will not be easybeats. Cameroon, who have barely scored in 2 years, and unfortunately hosts South Africa, who have been in terrible form, will probably suck.

---

On a personal note: My second team after Australia is Spain (my wife being Spanish-Australian and having lived there and all, also will be going to the Spain-Chile match! ), and the most dangerous match for Spain will be the predicted quarterfinals against Italy. On paper it should be a romp, but Spain have no pedigree here and Italy are never easy to beat in the WC. I'm worried.

[jazzadogs]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Great website here for 'predictions' -- http://www.castrolfootball.com/predictor/ -- based on the Castrol World Rankings of players and teams. You can see group predictions, knockout stage predictions etc. It's a bit of fun from a statistical perspective, but I think pretty much says what we're all thinking. It has Brazil beating Spain in the final.

--

As for the group predictions, I think we're all pretty much on the same page but some thoughts:

• England will do their best to stuff up their group but will get through -- USA upsetting them in echoes of 1950 to top the group not out of the realm of possibility though.. this US team are unspectacular but effective, bloody fast and very clinical in front of goal (Clint Dempsey and Aliedere are very nice players). Pretty much the opposite of England then -- good on paper, but slow and boring in reality. The US are also the only team to have beaten Spain in the last 3 years! (in the semis of the no-one-cares Confed Cup)
• I think Argentina will do much better than everyone is expecting -- Diego IS mad, but he is not stupid, and he knows a thing or two about winning this thing. The same XI have started every match and they will be settled and effective in the tournament. Everyone is focussing on the absences of Cambiasso and Zanetti, but these guys are better for Inter than they've ever been for Argo anyway, and their replacements in the first XI aren't actually bad players.
• Everyone is doomy and gloomy, but I think Australia will surprise. Their tactics look terrible against lower/mid-level teams, but will be ideal against the likes of Germany and Ghana, who won't be able to help themselves in coming forward, thus leaving acres of room behind them. The spine is compact and solid, Brett Holman has also been playing the false nine role pretty well, dropping deep and dragging a centreback with him, leaving space behind the defense, and Josh Kennedy will always be an awkward customer with his height. We also have one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament (top three, I would say, after Casillas and Buffon). If the Aussies get one or two fast breaks right, that'll be all they need to progress.
• Finally, there should hopefully be upsets a-plenty in the group stages. Underdogs/dark horses Chile (especially), North Korea, Japan, and even New Zealand have all shown enough over the last couple of years to show that they will not be easybeats. Cameroon, who have barely scored in 2 years, and unfortunately hosts South Africa, who have been in terrible form, will probably suck.

---

On a personal note: My second team after Australia is Spain (my wife being Spanish-Australian and having lived there and all, also will be going to the Spain-Chile match! ), and the most dangerous match for Spain will be the predicted quarterfinals against Italy. On paper it should be a romp, but Spain have no pedigree here and Italy are never easy to beat in the WC. I'm worried.

New Zealand have no chance of getting to the semi-finals according to that website. And most sane people.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

New Zealand have no chance of getting to the semi-finals according to that website. And most sane people.

Sorry, I'm not understanding the reference here -- no one thinks NZ would even make the second round, but hey, a 1-1 draw here or there is definitely possible.

ps. No need to quote my whole post for a one sentence reply!

[jazzadogs]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Sorry, I'm not understanding the reference here -- no one thinks NZ would even make the second round, but hey, a 1-1 draw here or there is definitely possible.

ps. No need to quote my whole post for a one sentence reply!

It was because the website actually said it was a 0.0% chance. Which I found amusing, you'd think they'd have at least a 0.01% chance or something, but it actually says they literally have NO chance.

And yes, you make a good point about the quote. I'm used to 'quick reply', and don't think about reducing the quote.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

It was because the website actually said it was a 0.0% chance. Which I found amusing, you'd think they'd have at least a 0.01% chance or something, but it actually says they literally have NO chance.
.

Haha.. this is funny. 0.0%! Is that even mathematically possible? Wouldn't that be an irrational number? Well, it's conceptually absurd anyway.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Haha.. this is funny. 0.0%! Is that even mathematically possible? Wouldn't that be an irrational number? Well, it's conceptually absurd anyway.

But probably accurate!

[Topdog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Dropping like flies now. Drogba a 90% chance to miss the World Cup after a ridiculous challenge by a Japanese player left him with a broken arm.

Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the Cup, apparently injuring himself in training. It may have been while playing the PS3 though.

[mjp]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

• England will do their best to stuff up their group but will get through.

England have only played 3 games all year. Surely if they stuff it up this would be the reason?

I have no idea about soccer and pray that:
- Australia don't score.
- They lose every game badly.

These things will hinder the growth of the game here which is something I am in favor of.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

England have only played 3 games all year. Surely if they stuff it up this would be the reason?

I have no idea about soccer and pray that:
- Australia don't score.
- They lose every game badly.

These things will hinder the growth of the game here which is something I am in favor of.

Both games can live in harmony.

Such a sad attitude. “The greatest ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about”

I may not love Rugby Union or League (and many other sports), but when someone is wearing the Green and Gold and representing this great Country, they are my friend and I will cheer them on, ALWAYS.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Dropping like flies now. Drogba a 90% chance to miss the World Cup after a ridiculous challenge by a Japanese player left him with a broken arm.

Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the Cup, apparently injuring himself in training. It may have been while playing the PS3 though.

What a day for injuries. Rio is a massive blow to England and I don't give the Elephants any chance of getting out of the group of death without Drogba.

+ Pirlo has hurt his calf and has been sent home to Italy to recover. Will definitely miss the first game and potentially more in a massive blow for the Azzuri, losing their main play maker.

[The Boy From Brasil]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Both games can live in harmony.

I agree with this. IMO the two are not mutually exclusive. We can follow the doggies year after year and still enjoy the world cup every four years. It sort of surprises me when some people want Australia to lose, or soccer fans rubbish the AFL because it is only played in Australia. Both are great sports(I prefer AFL but like soccer as well) and give enjoyment to many people and it comes down to personal preference.


BTW, thanks for the great previews guys. I really enjoyed reading them all