FIFA World Cup 2010 draws

FIFA_WC_2010 You can use the term ‘It can’t get bigger than this’ in various events, but there is one which beats all of them. The FIFA World Cup is a mere 6 months away and a mouth watering draw has been picked. iSport’s Pulasta Dhar was among those waiting with bated breath.

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
South Africa	Argentina	England	Germany
Mexico	Nigeria	United States	Australia
Uruguay	South Korea	Algeria	Serbia
France	Greece	Slovenia	Ghana
Group E	Group F	Group G	Group H
Netherlands	Italy	Brazil	Spain
Denmark	Paraguay	North Korea	Switzerland
Japan	New Zealand	Ivory Coast	Honduras
Cameroon	Slovakia	Portugal	Chile

I had the slip of paper in my hands on which were noted the teams I have tickets for. Personally, watching England was on my agenda, but I missed them. Let us look at the silver lining, I got Argentina vs South Korea, Netherlands vs Denmark, Brazil vs South Korea and Spain vs Honduras. Not a bad draw, is it?

For the viewers, it is all excitement and fun. If you saw the draw, then you will surely remember the upturned faces of the coaches. A short analysis would help…..

GROUP A

South Africa are one of the worst teams in the whole group, but FIFA’s rules say that the host nation gets automatic qualification, which is not bad at all but they also say that they will be one of the seeded teams, which is bad. France, Uruguay and Mexico are all top teams and the Republic of SA is going to be in some trouble to qualify. On the other hand, France, who have been performing since the last WC only on luck (Zidane’s penalty against Australia was an ‘eeks’ situation for the ref and Henry’s hand-ball was a bigger ‘eeks’ for the whole nation) are also going to find it tough against the American teams.

GROUP B

Looking at Argentina’s performances in the qualifications, they are one bad side apart from Messi. Nigeria is a very good attacking team and so is South Korea. Greece does not pose a threat to anybody except themselves and I expect them to have a short stay in SA.

GROUP C

The group which interests the most number of fans across the world. A staggering amount of tickets have been bought by these two countries and what irony! They get drawn together! Relatively easy one for England and the US, even though I see Slovenia as a tricky outing. Both will see themselves through to the last 16.

GROUP D

This one is a contender for the Group of Death. With Germany looking lackluster at times and Australia and Ghana not lacking at all, the group is wide open. The Serbs are also formidable, with most of them playing top level football in Europe. Exciting group and don’t find yourselves surprised if the mighty Germans miss out.

GROUP E

Netherlands have always had the best football and top-class players but at the same time, they are the perennial under-achievers at the World Cup. Never since Cruyff have they looked very dangerous on the field, but they always make it to the knockouts. Cameroon will no doubt fancy their chances against Denmark and Japan.

GROUP F

One of the easiest groups. Italy and Paraguay are going to cruise through to the knockouts, with Slovakia and New Zealand not near them in the terms of quality. But the WC is familiar in throwing up a few shocks, although I do not expect to see some in this group.

GROUP G

Contender no. 2 for the title of Group of Death. Kaka and Ronaldo face-off, with the Ivorians and North Korea making it harder to win easily. One might say it will be easy for Brazil and Portugal, but there is no way Ivory Coast will let that happen. North Korea are rejuvenated since qualifiers and add extra spice to this interesting group.

GROUP H

Honduras have no chance in this one. Surrounded by a superb Spanish contingent and the chocolate loving Swiss, they will be out very soon. Mark my words, Chile are a top team and might make it rough sailing for the Spanish and the Swiss. For me, Chile and Spain will make it through.

beckham_theron

The World Cup is a wonderful event and thankfully we have channels to broadcast it. 6 months will whizz by like every time and a marvelous football feast awaits us all. Keep you eyes and ears open now for any serious injury reports, because that might ruin the chances of your favourite team to make it through to the nerve racking knockouts. I’m off to apply for tickets for the England vs USA game!!