I live for soccer. I've watched World Cups since I can remember, and think this is the best sporting event on earth!
I’ve watched all the games of the first round robin round (or had them on in the background while working), except New Zealand vs. Slovakia. Here are my rankings moving on to the second games. Here’s a link to the scores so far and schedule :
The letter next to them is what Group they’re in. Note that 2 of each group go on to the knockout rounds, which means that 1 of my top 10 will not make it as I have 3 from G. Ivory Coast, Portugal, Brazil. Lets see how this looks next week after they all have played a second game!
My top 10 Contenders (In order of strength)
1- Netherlands (E) –They are SOLID. Great attacking style. Fluid game. Not scared to score. As long as their defense doesn’t let them down, these guys are still my favorites to win it all even after seeing ARG and GER. Read why below. Highly enjoyable to watch.
1- Spain (H) – Have no fear. They will go forward, despite today’s loss to the Swiss. And they will be a force. The only thing that can stop them is picking the right players by the coach.
1- Brazil (G) – They typically to the level fo their opponent. Hence the lackluster North Korea game. But they have 3 pts and will be a much different team against la Cote D’Ivoire and Portugal.
4- Argentina (B) – Maradona cannot take a team to the promise land. But the team is awesome. BUT, they fake fouls and take too many dives. I hate that in them. They’ll visit the semifinals, at which point anything can happen.
4- Germany (D) – As always a well oiled machine with Podolsky, Klose, Cacau, Schweinsteigger, and Mueller able to score at will, it will come down to a GIANT to beat these guys. I think it will happen, as I agree with Lotthar Mattaeus whos says that without Ballack to anchor the midfield, they won’t win it all.
6- England (C) – They have tons of experience, but they lack the explosive youth that can break down opponents. This could be their downfall, in addition to a goalkeeper who may be very nervous now, and the lack of their big man Rio Ferdinand that manages the defense so well.
7- Ivory Coast (G) – WOW. They are awesome! Plenty of star players from Chelsea, Barca, Man City, Arsenal and more. If Drogba’s arm is much better in 3 weeks to start the second round, they will be tough to beat.
8- Italy (F) – They will be hard to score on since they play such a boring super defensive and conservative style. However, their biggest problem is the lack of imagination up front, and that could spell disaster if they go down a goal. They love going to penalties!
8- Chile (H) – Most enjoyable team to watch. WOW! High energy, attacking style. Great skill by all mid and attacking players. Their defense looked very sound too. They were all in synch!! If there’s a team you should watch, make it Chile! Will they win the world cup? No. Could they be the dream story and make the semis? Absolutely. They are that good.
8- Portugal (G) – Ronaldo told his country a month ago, that he is only one player and he can’t make miracles happen. That to me sounds like a player that doesn’t believe, which means they won’t win the world cup. They’ll be lucky to advance as Brazil and Ivory Coast are my picks after their underwhelming effort against Ivory Coast. They play Brazil last, and that will be a must win. Ouch. Plus, they fake fouls and take too many dives and Ronaldo already has a yellow which could spell disaster if he gets one in game 2.
Solid but not top tier. Dark Hoses - Should go through. May go far with some luck.
11- Mexico (A) – They need to start scoring after dominating the midfield. And their goalie is terrible. He was completely lost in game 1. Best group of 10 players (minus Goalie) that Mexico has assembled since 1990.
12- Ghana (D) – Ghana is good enough to get second in the group to germany. (will have AUS in 2nd game so Germany game may not matter)
13- United States (C) – I’ve said it all along… Their defense needs to plug the holes, as Onyewu is NOT in match shape after his knee injury last fall in Milan. The midfield is ok, but not spectacular as Donovan yet again seems timid and lost against big time teams. They will go as far as Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard take them. Altidore could surprise, but the other strikers are ‘B’ class strikers for WC standards. However, they do act as one team out there, so that is a big plus.
14- Switzerland (H) – The swiss have not allowed a goal in the WC since 1994! They just beat Spain. Looks like they’ve stamped their ticket to the knockout stage!
15- South Korea (B) – Yes I know what you’re thinking. SKorea? Yes. They are the fittest team, they are mature, they are organized, they are calm, and their players have no fear. Great balance of old and young players so the experience from 8 and 4 years ago is still there. They could surprise!
16- Paraguay (F) – Should have flat out won against a non world champion team of Italy. I like them, and they only have New Zealand and Slovakia left. They’ll have 7 pts!
17- Denmark (E) – They played well in their qualifiers to get here, so if they can wake up and play like that, they should beat Japan and a not so good Cameroon.
18- South Africa (A) – Home team. We’ll see what happens today. The group is anyone’s to win and home teams do well in group play.
19- Nigeria (B) – lost to Arg. Will HAVE to beat South Korea (and Greece) South Korea is the fittest team in the tournament, and are VERY calm and well trained. This could get tough.
Probably not, but maybe.
20- Cameroon (E) – Disappointing. Yes they have Eto’o but not much of a supporting cast that shows maturity. They looked very nervous and unorganized and now must play Holland and Denmark after already losing to Japan. Good night.
21- Japan (E) – They won against Cameroon, which gives them life. However, I don’t think they can beat Denmark or Holland, which puts them at 3pts and Denmark even ending at 3pts will have the head to head tie breaker. Japan is worst in their group. Too bad for them. Thanks for spending some Yens in SA to help their economy.
22 Uruguay (A) – They tied France 0-0 in the most boring game of the first round.
23- France (A) – is there anyone more BORING? They’re in a group where they will eventually will have to start scoring and playing better. Tomorrow’s game vs. Mexico will determine their fate. But honestly, these guys don’t stand a chance to get far. Absolutely boring, unimaginative play, with a head coach that seems to have no ability to create an excitement in his palyers. Gone are the days of Zidane and Co. Ribery certainly can’t carry this team alone.
No chance (In order of strength)
24- Honduras (H) – Unfortunately they lost to Chile, the Swiss are solid, and Spain is angry. I see them letting 4 more goals in. Unlucky group for them.
24- Australia (D) – I love the socceroos, but Ghana is better and Germany beat them, and their star player (Cahill) got a red card so they’re screwed.
24- Serbia (D) – Ghana dominated. With Germany as the other team they have to face, they can book their flight home today. Lets see if Australia or Serbia finishes 3rd in the group.
24- Slovenia (C) – So they beat Algeria, but then again, USA and ENG will beat Algeria too. They’re just no good.
24- Slovakia (F) – How do you let NZ tie the game? Only game I haven’t seen, but I do’t need to. They have no depth or enough experience.
29- Greece (B) – This is not Greece of 2004 Euro Championships. They’re not good.
30- New Zealand (F) – Sure they picked up a point with a stoppage time goal to tie 1-1 with Slovakia, but clearly Italy and Paraguay are the best two teams in that group. NZ is not a 1-1 team against the other two.
31- North Korea (G) – Lets not get too excited about them scoring against Brazil in the first match. What they have going for them is the fact that they are the most tained team as a team together of all 32, so they are sound. But they’re not that strong, and Brazil got lazy, yet had complete control of that game. They scored against brazil! It’s party time in the PRK!!
32- Algeria (C) - Completely unorganized, and hot headed, aggressive players will have most yellow cards of the league by end of game 3. There’s no future for them.
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