Matchday 1- 13th June
13th June
Group B- Korea Republic v Greece
Argentina v Nigeria
Group C- England v USA
In what will be a game against the potential teams ousted from Group B at the end of the Group stage, Korea Republic and Greece face off in the opening game of the 2nd day of competition. Korea come into the tournament with a solid side, consisting of their influential playmaker, Park Ji Sung, experienced defender Lee Young Pyo, and talented forward Lee dong Gook. I personally haven’t seen them play, but we all remember what a giant killing run Korea went on at home in 2002. Can they repeat that same magic once more?
Greece is a side built on the counterattack. Many of their players are home grown, and play for the same club, so relationships between players should be quite good. They no their game well, this group of players has been around for about 6 years now. A side that performs below their potential, can they get up a win their first match?
http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_70SVFHgbA
Prediction- Korea Republic 1 (Park Ji Sung) - Greece 0
Argentina, managed by the great man Diego Maradona struggled to capture their potential form during the South American qualifying stages. Once at the World Cup though, anything can happen. With a strike force up front consisting of 6 world class strikers in the squad, who does Maradona play? Supposing he is going for three up front, Messi and Milito, who had a fantastic Serie A season for Inter Milan would be assured picks. Who gets the last spot though? Aguero, Tevez, Higuain and Parlemo are all vying for it. In midfield they have brought back the experience of Veron, who will link up with players like Mascherano, Rodrigues, and Di Maria. Defence is tight, and will be closely marshalled. A quality side all over the pitch.
Nigeria has been moulded into one hell of a football team. Their star players lie in attack, with Yakabu, Martins and Odemwingie al up to world class standards. Breaking down the Argentina defence though will be tough. The problem for Nigeria lies in midfield though. Why is Kanu being played as a midfielder? I have only seen him play up front. They just lack a class midfielder in their squad, someone like a Mascherano who can control the play well and pop balls into the strikers. Defence is solid for Nigeria, but can they stop the attack of Argentina?
http://www.youtube.com/v/KZnUr8lcqjo - A freak of football
Prediction- Argentina 2 (Messi and Milito)- Nigeria 0
England fails to live up to potential at pretty much every big sporting event. On paper, the English side is probably in the top 4. Unfortunately for them, games aren’t won on paper, they are won green grassy surface. The team has been rocked by the shock loss of captain Rio Ferdinand to injury in a training accident. Probably the best thing Heskey has done in a few years. Liverpool stalwart Steven Gerrard looks sure to take up the reigns of captaincy. The main problem l feel is their defence, which on paper looks sensational. West Ham defender Matthew Upson has underperformed in the England colours, whilst old man Carragher was largely unimpressive last season. So can the Pommies overcome their big competition slip ups to actually do well in South Africa?
USA is a team largely underrated. With players like Landon Donovan, they can certainly match it for periods with high class teams. Their defence is marshalled by experienced AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu, who gives size, power and a bite at the back. I will be looking intently to see how Jonathon Spector goes. The real engine room of the USA is the midfield, with experienced campaigners including Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, plus talented youngster Maurice Edu. Their forward penetration for mine will be a worry. No real players that can take a game from you. They will rely on their midfield for goals.
http://www.youtube.com/v/s4HGWsLE0Rg – Any hopes of an American win rely on this man performing
Prediction- England 2 (Gerrard and Rooney) – USA (Altidore)
Group B- Korea Republic v Greece
Argentina v Nigeria
Group C- England v USA
In what will be a game against the potential teams ousted from Group B at the end of the Group stage, Korea Republic and Greece face off in the opening game of the 2nd day of competition. Korea come into the tournament with a solid side, consisting of their influential playmaker, Park Ji Sung, experienced defender Lee Young Pyo, and talented forward Lee dong Gook. I personally haven’t seen them play, but we all remember what a giant killing run Korea went on at home in 2002. Can they repeat that same magic once more?
Greece is a side built on the counterattack. Many of their players are home grown, and play for the same club, so relationships between players should be quite good. They no their game well, this group of players has been around for about 6 years now. A side that performs below their potential, can they get up a win their first match?
http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_70SVFHgbA
Prediction- Korea Republic 1 (Park Ji Sung) - Greece 0
Argentina, managed by the great man Diego Maradona struggled to capture their potential form during the South American qualifying stages. Once at the World Cup though, anything can happen. With a strike force up front consisting of 6 world class strikers in the squad, who does Maradona play? Supposing he is going for three up front, Messi and Milito, who had a fantastic Serie A season for Inter Milan would be assured picks. Who gets the last spot though? Aguero, Tevez, Higuain and Parlemo are all vying for it. In midfield they have brought back the experience of Veron, who will link up with players like Mascherano, Rodrigues, and Di Maria. Defence is tight, and will be closely marshalled. A quality side all over the pitch.
Nigeria has been moulded into one hell of a football team. Their star players lie in attack, with Yakabu, Martins and Odemwingie al up to world class standards. Breaking down the Argentina defence though will be tough. The problem for Nigeria lies in midfield though. Why is Kanu being played as a midfielder? I have only seen him play up front. They just lack a class midfielder in their squad, someone like a Mascherano who can control the play well and pop balls into the strikers. Defence is solid for Nigeria, but can they stop the attack of Argentina?
http://www.youtube.com/v/KZnUr8lcqjo - A freak of football
Prediction- Argentina 2 (Messi and Milito)- Nigeria 0
England fails to live up to potential at pretty much every big sporting event. On paper, the English side is probably in the top 4. Unfortunately for them, games aren’t won on paper, they are won green grassy surface. The team has been rocked by the shock loss of captain Rio Ferdinand to injury in a training accident. Probably the best thing Heskey has done in a few years. Liverpool stalwart Steven Gerrard looks sure to take up the reigns of captaincy. The main problem l feel is their defence, which on paper looks sensational. West Ham defender Matthew Upson has underperformed in the England colours, whilst old man Carragher was largely unimpressive last season. So can the Pommies overcome their big competition slip ups to actually do well in South Africa?
USA is a team largely underrated. With players like Landon Donovan, they can certainly match it for periods with high class teams. Their defence is marshalled by experienced AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu, who gives size, power and a bite at the back. I will be looking intently to see how Jonathon Spector goes. The real engine room of the USA is the midfield, with experienced campaigners including Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, plus talented youngster Maurice Edu. Their forward penetration for mine will be a worry. No real players that can take a game from you. They will rely on their midfield for goals.
http://www.youtube.com/v/s4HGWsLE0Rg – Any hopes of an American win rely on this man performing
Prediction- England 2 (Gerrard and Rooney) – USA (Altidore)
