Preview Groups A-D

Group A
France (9) Mexico (17) South Africa (83) Uruguay (16) (FIFA World Rankings)

France won’t win any popularity contests this time round, Henry’s assist against the Irish, in Paris, made sure of that. Coupled with the hatred of Coach Domenech by seemingly everybody in France ‘Les Bleus’ will have to win people over on the pitch. This is actually quite a simple group for them, with hosts South Africa taking the top seeded berth, so progress is expected with some ease. Bordeaux’s Yoann Gourcuff will want to show what he can do on the biggest stage, after failing to shine with AC Milan. Gignac was top scorer in qualification with a meagre 4 goals but with Anelka, Ribery and Henry surely the quarter finals isn’t too much to ask for?

Mexico will be reliant on the youthful Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez in attack. Hernandez has been snapped up by Manchester United from Chivas and comes with a £10m price tag. Manager Aguirre has a wealth of experience elsewhere on the pitch to call upon, Marquez and Torrado are wise heads and have important roles to play.

South Africa need a good start as arguably their games get tougher after the opener against Mexico. As Africa’s first host nation, much is expected of them, but can the Bofana Bofana deliver? The South Africans actually took part in the qualifiers for this tournament. In Africa, they doubled up as preliminaries for the Cup of African Nations in Angola earlier this year. They would have failed, by some margin, to qualify. Aaron Mokeona, has plied his trade in the Premier League for some years, as has star performer Steven Pienaar. Teko Modise of the Orlando Pirates could be a creative force in midfield. Matthew Booth is the only white player in their squad, he spent some time at Wimbledon in 2001.

Uruguay’s strength lies in their attack. Diego Forlan has had a great year in Spain for Athletico Madrid, scoring in both legs of the Europa League semi final and twice in the final against Fulham. Up top with him will be freescoring Luis Suarez of Ajax. Leading scorer in all of the domestic leagues in Europe this season with 35 goals, he is a target for many top clubs.

My Prediction
1 France
2 Uruguay
3 Mexico
4 South Africa


Group B
Argentina (7) Greece (13) Nigeria (21) South Korea (47)

Argentina has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to forwards, and strength in depth that many qualifiers would be jealous of. Maradonna has been able to leave behind Champions League winners Zanetti and Cambiasso. He did though call up over 100 players in qualification, he has the mercurial talent of Lionel Messi at his disposal, Internazionale’s goal getter Diego Milito plus the hardworking Carlos Tevez to spearhead his attack. Seba Veron has been reborn back in his homeland after disappointing at both Chelsea and Man United in the Premiership. Benfica wide man Angel Di Maria will need to be tamed if Argentina are to be contained. A weak link could be in goal, where the 3 keepers have 13 caps between them. Can Diego match Franz Beckenbauer by collecting winner’s medals as both captain and manager?

Greece have struggled to live up to the success that they achieved in Portugal six years ago. In qualifying they finished second behind Switzerland and needed a play off win over Ukraine to qualify. Still reliant on hard work over flair, Otto Rehhagel has Theo Gekas as the main goal threat. They are led by Giorgos Karagounis who has 92 caps to date. Defensively they have Sotirios Kyrgiakos of Liverpool, paired with Bologna’s 6 foot 5“ Vangelos Moras, we may see teams playing around them rather than through them!

Nigeria are aiming to reach the quarter finals for the first time. They have the easiest draw of the African qualifiers and have turned to the experienced Swede Lars Lagerback after sacking Shaibu Amodu who guided them to a creditable third place at the African Nations earlier in the year. Goals have been spread around on route to South Africa, Victor Obinna and Ikechukwu Uche lead the way, though Uche failed to make the final 23 man squad. Obafemi Martins adds vital experience as does the evergreen Kanu. Joseph Yobo’s calmness alongside man mountain Danny Shittu at the back gives them a stable base. Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu is one of six Premiership representatives.

South Korea were unbeaten in qualifying and are at their seventh successive finals. Lee Chung-yong shone in the Premier League for Bolton this year and Monaco’s Park Chu-yung is the pin up boy of Korean football. Lee Dong-gook played for Middlesbrough between 2006/08 but failed to find the net in 23 apps.
Park Ji-sung remains the lynchpin of the side and netted 5 times on the road to the finals. Ahn-Jung-hwan was sacked by Perugia in 2002 for having the temerity to knock Italy out the world cup with his golden goal.

My Prediction
1 Argentina
2 South Korea
3 Nigeria
4 Greece


Group C
Algeria (30) England (8) Slovenia (25) USA (14)

Algeria are at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, having snuck past bitter rivals Egypt in a volatile play-off. Much is expected of Wolfsburg’s Karim Ziani, and he’ll need support from Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj, both part of Portsmouth’s turbulent year. Goals could come from Rafik Saifi but Rangers Madjid Bougherra has to lead from the back if they are to get out of the group stages. 17 of the 23 man squad were born in France. Eight of the squad have three caps or fewer.

England’s final warm up games will have done little to inspire confidence in the fans, but in fact this reality check could help to quell unrealistic expectations.
Utterly reliant on Wayne Rooney and still unable to get the best out of both Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, Fabio Capello needs Gareth Barry to regain fitness soon otherwise the balance of England’s midfield is all wrong. England carry a threat down the right, with the pace of Lennon but there are questions over his crossing ability. Emile Heskey is a great foil for those around him but will his lack of goals keep him out of the team? Crouch’s goalscoring record is superb, but mostly against weaker opposition. At the back much is expected of Ledley King following Rio Ferdinand’s injury. England will struggle against better teams as the competition moves on if they continue with a rigid 4-4-2 formation.

Slovenia are the smallest nation to have qualified. Star man Robert Koren has been released by West Brom following their promotion to the Premier League and that doesn’t bode well for the Europeans minnows. They were good enough though, to brush Russia aside in the play offs and if anyone shines it is likely to be Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic.

USA performed strongly at the Confederations Cup, breaking Spain’s 35 match unbeaten run and will take confidence from that but can they repeat 2002’s achievement by reaching the quarter finals? Spirit, mobility, organisation and athleticism come naturally to a Bob Bradley team but will there be any flair? Landon Donovan did well at Goodison Park in a loan spell, but Jozy Altidore struggled at Hull, maybe Clint Dempsey will chip in with important goals following his epic season at Fulham. Maurice Edu and Damarcus Beasley won the Scottish title with Rangers this year. Goalkeeper Tim ‘effing’ Howard had another great season at Goodison and is keeping Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan and Wolves’ Marcus Hahnemann out of the side.

My Prediction
1 England
2 USA
3 Slovenia
4 Algeria


Group D
Australia (20) Germany (6) Ghana (32) Serbia (15)

Australia came through their first Asian qualification campaign with consummate ease, topping both group stages on the way. Twelve of the squad have, or do currently, play in England. Tim Cahill’s goals from midfield will be vital, as will the fitness of Harry Kewall. Mark Schwarzer has had an exceptional year at Craven Cottage and will hope to carry that form into the world cup.

Germany epitomise what is required in tournament football, their ability to time their form, to maximise the great potential in this squad, could take them all the way. Missing their leader Ballack this could be the ideal time for others to step up to the plate. Bastien Schweinsteiger and Turkish born Mesut Ozil will be a driving force in midfield. Miroslav Klose snared 7 goals in qualifying despite rarely starting for Bayern. Much is expected of clubmate Thomas Muller. The keepers have only ten caps between the three of them following injury to Rene Adler and the retirement of Jens Lehmann.

Ghana are reeling from the news that Michael Essien will miss out due to injury. Sunderland’s John Mensah and Fulham’s John Paintsil will play at the back. Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng has been granted Ghanian citizenship and ads potency to the midfield, he’ll play alongside Sulley Muntari who has bridges to build with manager Milo Rajevac after falling out, this, coupled with the fading of the reliable Stephen Appiah this could be a tournament to soon for the 2009 under 20 world cup winners and finalists in the Cup of African Nations.

Serbia are the dark horses in this group, flair in midfield will come from Inter’s Dejan Stankovic and Milos Kasic of CSKA Moscow, with the youngster Zoran Tosic out wide there will be many chances for the forward line of Pantelic and Lazovic, not forgetting 6’ 8” Nikola Zigic, just recruited to the premier league by Alex McLeish at Birmingham City.

My Prediction
1 Germany
2 Serbia
3 Australia
4 Ghana