Group F has the defending champion Italy along with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. Italy was never expected to lift the World Cup in 2006 and this time too it's nothing different. But you never know they can again put up a similar show and win a consecutive one... Italy is the second most successful country with 4 World Cups and would want to win this one and go head-to-head with Brazil at 5!
Italy:
Gianluigi Buffon is one of them most effective and successful goalkeepers of this era! He was the man who helped Italy lift the World Cup in 2006. He has a habit of keeping clean sheets and is also known for his great reflexes! It is not at all easy to get past him who stands tall as a wall in between the opposition and the goal. His presence ahead of the goal gives the defenders a sigh of relief they know that Buffon is the Mr. Dependable. Even if the midfielder and strikers have a bad day Buffon is always there to make up for it. If Buffon can put up a similar performance then Italy might as well win this year too.
Paraguay:
Many of the readers might not agree with my trump player for Paraguay. Santa Cruz plays as a striker for Manchester City and Paraguay. He is a very good player but hasn't been able to show his talent at most of the times. The reason this is the fact that he is injured for most of the period.
He is frequently seen on the bench not because he is not capable of making it to the eleven but because he is down due to injury...
If he manages to stay fit in the World Cup campaign of Paraguay then they can at least dream of going ahead of the group stage!
New Zealand:
Shane Smeltz is a quality striker who plays for Gold Coast United. He has been in good touch this season scoring 19 goals in just 26 appearances. He has also performed very well for his national side scoring 16 in 30! I don't expect New Zealand advancing to the knockout stage and their performance in the previous World Cups too has been disappointing. He might take New Zealand to an unexpected Round of 16 but going ahead of that is simply impracticable.
Slovakia:
Marek Hamsik is a young 22 yr old Napoli midfielder. He is not amongst the goal scorers but usually makes them. He is young and has the ability to run through the pitch. He was voted as the best young Slovak footballer in 2007 and repeated it in 2009. He is expected to take Slovakia a long way in the tournament...
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