Group of Death, is it?

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iSporter Suraj Kori believes the presence of 3 of the best players in Group G makes it for the group to watch at the World Cup 2010. if you do not agree with Suraj, click here to join the debate.

Group G appears to me the toughest pool among the rest. You can also call it the ‘Group of Death’ with Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and Korea DPR. Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast are the teams which make this group the ‘Group of Death’ with Korea DPR the weak link in the group.

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Kaka (Brazil) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) would be leading their sides from the front in the attack making sure that they make it to the last 16. However even Korea DPR have a chance if Jong Tae-se gets going.

A common quip about football is: “The English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it”. Brazil is the most successful national football team with five championships. The fact that they are the only team to have played in every world cup makes them the hot favorites to make it through to the knock out stage. Brazil has been known for producing not only good footballers but great footballers. A few are being named by me who I think would play a major role in Brazil’s campaign this world cup- in the face of Julio Ceaser Brazil have world’s best goalkeeper and in Kaka one of the best players in the world at this period. Robinho has been performing well in EPL while playing for Manchester City and this form of his would surely be an asset for Brazil. We shouldn’t forget that they even have Luis Fabiano, Hulk and Dani Alves. I personally see them through to the knock out stage without many problems.

On the other hand Portugal has qualified for the world cup just five times. Portugal has Ronaldo who has the capability of swinging any match on his side. He is the real dead ball expert and has the exceptional ability of converting free kicks into goals. The Portuguese attack would rely on him who delivers every time he comes on the ground. They have a very strong defense with Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Pepe in the squad making sure that the ball don’t get pass them. Deco has been playing for quiet a while for Chelsea. Sharing the dressing room with some great players like Drogba, Lampard, Ballack and playing under Carlo Ancelotti has helped him grow as a player. Leidson along with the above mentioned players in their side gives them a strong chance to get to the next stage. Ronaldo being the strongest player in the squad, he is even the weakest link in the team. This is because the Portuguese attack revolves around him and the day he is not at his best or gets injured there is not much the Portuguese can do. And this is surely a deficit for them.

This is the only second appearance of Ivory Coast on the world cup finals stage. Drogba would be the man to watch out for if Ivory Coast were to go through the next stage. He has proved himself while playing for Chelsea and now it’s the time for him to deliver for his country. With Salouman Kalou and Yaya Toure in the squad Ivory Coast do have a strong chance. The history however goes against them. In the last world cup too they were placed in the so-called ‘group of death’ along with Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro. They were unable to qualify for the second round. They were placed third in the group thanks to their only win against Serbia and Montenegro.

This would be the only second appearance of Korea DPR in the world cup. The last time qualified for the world cup was in 1966, where they reached the quarter-finals. Korea DPR are the favorites to finish at the bottom. Jong Tae-se will have to deliver and play some exceptional football if he has to see his team to the next stage.

According to me Brazil would top the Group and Korea DPR would finish at bottom. The fight now is for the second place. Portugal and Ivory Coast both are capable enough and the opening match of the group between these two giants will decide who goes to the next round. Where everyone would be putting their money on Portugal, I do feel that Ivory Coast have that edge over the Portuguese that will see them to the next stage. Best of luck to all the teams!