FIFA Announces Draw for World Cup 2010
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 1:28 PM EST
103 comments
Two weeks of anticipation, angst, and innumerable mock draws were put to an end Friday when FIFA drew the 32-qualified nations into the eight-four team groups.
We have six months to break down the groups, a process that we will start next week as we spend Monday through Thursday talking about each quartet's relative strengths and weaknesses. The future of these groups will be determined as much by match-ups and style as the absolute strengths of the sides.
On first blush, the United States and Mexico both have to be thrilled, whereas the Dutch might not be so happy to have got seeded, as their group could be argued tougher than France's.
Group G was also considered a tough quartet.
| Group A | Group E |
|---|---|
| South Africa Mexico Uruguay France |
Netherlands Denmark Japan Cameroon |
| Group B | Group F |
| Argentina Nigeria South Korea Greece |
Italy Paraguay New Zealand Slovakia |
| Group C | Group G |
| England United States Algeria Slovenia |
Brazil North Korea Cote d'Ivoire Portugal |
| Group D | Group H |
| Germany Australia Serbia Ghana |
Spain Switzerland Chile Honduras |
My analysis will start on Monday, as I meticulously look at each of the eight groups, starting with what I feel is the easiest and finishing Thursday, when I look at the two most difficult bunches.
Until then, I will be in the comments, talking to you about your thoughts (as well as sharing mine).
The speculation is over, people. Let's talk about what FIFA's given us.
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USA
I thought they were in big trouble with their first draw, but I’m quite happy. USA/England is going to be a fun match to watch, and they got arguably two of the weaker teams that they could have hoped for, no disrespect to Algeria or Slovenia. If the US plays well, I think they should advance. I’m reconsidering my decision not to go to South Africa next summer…
Not mediocre. Right about average
by trza on Dec 4, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The styles ...
… really match up well for the Yanks. There is nobody in this group who play a brand of football that will attack the U.S.’s weaknesses.
U.S. fans should be particularly happy, and in drawing Algeria out of 3, it could be argued the U.S.’s fortunes were aided by not being drawn into Group A.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
US
did very well. I don’t know anything about Slovenia, and Algeria is tougher than they might appear, but all in all a great draw for the US and their fans. It will be fun to match up with England as the first game!
by LA Taco on Dec 4, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Slovenia ...
… is one of the better defending teams in the world and rely on the counter for almost all of their attack.
The Slovenia-U.S. match has draw written all of it, in my early opinion.
For those who don’t know, Slovenia got into the World Cup by defeating Russia in a two-legged playoff.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts were the same
When I saw Slovenia in our group. If there is a goal scored I think it will be done on accident.
by ccrun1800 on Dec 4, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Slovenia's a push
but we avoided France and Portugal
Algeria and England were probably as good as you could hope for.
The fact that none of the draws were at the top of the pod was good draw, US is actually the only team at the top of their pod.
Still need to execute and not go all 1998 or 2006.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point on execution ...
… but at least the U.S. got a group where execution should be rewarded with wins. If they were in place of North Korea, my hedging line of “they could go 0 and 3 and still have a good tournament, if they play hard” could have played out.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No kidding
North Korea will be lucky to stay within three of any of those teams, especially since Portugal and Ivory Coast could both be looking to hang huge numbers on them if they draw in the first match.
by SpartanDan on Dec 4, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How capable will Portugal be of doing that?
I know they have the star power, but aside from beating Malta 4-0 and 0-4, and thumping Albania 3-0 once, they didn’t seem to score much during qualifying. On the other hand, it’s easier for me to imagine Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire running up the score when they play North Korea.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Dec 6, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hi nick, nice to see you here.
~AV
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 7, 2009 3:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey AV
You think Billy is lurking here from his hotel room at the Winter Meetings?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Dec 8, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he was ...
… he would have had somebody sent here to point out all the ways my analysis would have been more sophisticated.
by Richard Farley on Dec 9, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't help but ...
… agree, Nick. Portugal exhibited a lot of problems during qualifying. I’ll go into that more this week, but even though they had a huge jump in the recent FIFA rankings, Portugal is very much a mixed bag.
There are good things about the squad, and I think that leads to the variance in opinion.
by Richard Farley on Dec 7, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thrilled
with US draw. We better not screw this up. We are very lucky.
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This draw ...
… will test everything the USSF is telling us about the program. From their point of view, they should get out of this group.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ouch for south africa. seeding didn’t seem to help them.
one question about the format of the draw. when picking from pot two, which i understood they skipped going to group A until the first non-african team got picked, they picked nigeria, who went to group B, fine. but then, the next draw was ivory coast, and that team went to group G, not C. huh? can anybody explain skipping groups C, D, E, and F on that?
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 4, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
To save the English and Americans…LOL
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thinking ahead to the next round
I think the pots are also distributed with respect the the following rounds so that say all the African teams are bunched into one quarter of the draw.
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
proof reading
“are NOT bunched”
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
in the other thread i explained, but apparently i was wrong, they just said that the first two african teams went to Argentina and brazil to avoid them bieng with CONMEBOL teams.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 4, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ooohhh, OK. sort of… so the first african teams went to groups with seeded CONMEBOL until both of those (brazil and argentina) were full, then the rest went back in order, plus the first nonafrican went to group A. got it. thanks.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 4, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 4, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
that went about as bad as it could have possibly gone for them.
They need some luck like USA 1994.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As a Brit living in the US
My American wife has already said “It is ON!!!”
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good luck ...
… maybe you two should take a 24 hour break from each other on June 12th?
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Damn right
When we taunt you we’ll no you’ll understand us.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
by pointing out your grammatical and spelling errors?
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good draw for the US as others mentioned, I’d be disappointed if we didn’t make it out of this group (no disrespect intended to Algeria and Slovenia), we just need to perform against teams we can beat.
I can’t decided whether group D or G is worse.
I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.
by Chester J Lampwick on Dec 4, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Have to think North Korea is worse than Serbia
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
worse in quality, not worst to have to play
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great distinction ...
… because I doubt anybody likes the prospect of having to play North Korea, though few would fear losing.
Just not fun.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why
Do they all have axes in their shorts or something?
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This defense ...
… is very good, very stingy.
And they might have axes in their shorts.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Group E ...
… is not easy quartet, either.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Draw structure
Am I right in saying it goes
Winners and runners up of A, play runners and winners B
C plays D
E plays F
G plays H
AB plays CD
EF plays GH
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
To answer my own question - yes
Germany looms for England if they screw up.
Here’s a full list of fixtures http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8395228.stm
Blame my wife!
Waiting until August 2010
by sir eccles on Dec 4, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Group G has the best top three, and it's not close
Groups D and E are super strong top to bottom. Those are definitely the deepest.
Groups C, F, and H are certainly going to be the ones where the favorites are expected to go through without much trouble. I think those three may even be easier than group A. If the USA wants to advance, this is their year. However, injuries are still a concern. And there’s no hope of getting Mexico in the round of 16.
Honduras will need a big upset to advance. They can do it, but it’ll be tough.
by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 4, 2009 1:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is not to say, btw
That I expect the USA to advance without much trouble. Just that they’ll have a better shot of doing it here than out of any other group.
by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 4, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, and ...
.. it bares pointing out that the Algerians are very good. The United States can play well and still lose to the Algerians. Some with the Slovenes.
However, this was a good draw for the Yanks.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The order of play is a bit scary
Say we lose to England and Slovenia beats Algeria. Slovenia can play for a draw against us and then take their chances against an already-advanced England who may be resting starters.
by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 4, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree ...
… ideally, you would want England last, and if Slovenia knows that two draws can get them through (if the U.S. loses to England and then assuming England beats Algeria), Kek can get draws.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ideally
we want to no worse than draw with England and Slovenia, beat Algeria, and hope England beat both of them.
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And that's ...
… relatively speaking, very possible. Likely? I don’t know about that. But I wouldn’t be shocked with that result at all.
Lots of reasons for excitement for USMNT fans!
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the order is meaningless
But even if not, better to play England first and find out the result, then we know whether we need to go for the win in the next matches, which presumably, we’ll have more control of than against England.
Plus we can catch them sleeping as in theory having played meaningful games last year we should feel more at home in SA.
I like that we can beat any team in the group without a massive upset.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it looked like another vintage cakewalk group for Mexico
when they landed in the coveted Group A, but that turned quickly with a respectable Urg and then France
by Will McDonald on Dec 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Stoked with where my 2 teams landed
The US has to be thanking their lucky stars to have gotten that group. Germany as well has gotten a fairly easy group compared to the other powers.
by 1newplayer on Dec 4, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Germany
They should advance, but the other three seems very evenly matched. Sort of a Son of Group of Death.
Not mediocre. Right about average
by trza on Dec 4, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with both of you ...
Germany’s group is missing a co-pilot, but it’s still very strong. I look forward to writing about this one next week.
BTW, I will be posting more articles this weekend, but I will wait to break down the groups until Monday. Hopefully, we’ll all have some great thoughts/theories by then.
Of course, the U.S. got lucky. Agree with you. Somebody had to, though. For all the USMNT fans, I’m happy it was the U.S., as their two major injuries during the last qualifiers really were a bit of bad luck.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like that
Son of Group of Death.
About three or four of those.
No real Group of Deaths as their are some odd man outs or softer teams in each. Maybe when you consider SA is at home and has history on their side Group A can be considered one.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Son of Group of Death I like it.
I also like Germany’s lay out for the next round with England and the rest of Group C. They seem to have a clear path although I am a bit worried about their keeper situation with the death of Robert Enke and how that might affect this squad. I look forward to the write up Farley.
by 1newplayer on Dec 4, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Excited
Half American, Half Serb… Will be rooting for both teams, with a chance to play each other in the Round of 16….. Fun times.
Group G is the hard one, but Group H, B, and E are all sneaky…
wish we didn’t have to wait 6 months!
by Mark Kieffer on Dec 4, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
1/2 Serb ...
… you have to be happy with the way the team is setting up, Mark. Obviously, a talented side, and one not many in the U.S. know a ton about, even though there are some marquee players in the squad. They can compete with anybody, and there is a strong Serbian support base in the States who will be eagerly cheering them on.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody think we got a great draw
because American’s bought more tickets then anyone else?
by not humble enough on Dec 4, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agree ...
World Cups aren’t dependent on American support for anything.
Over at dailysoccerfix.com, Steve Davis gives his thoughts on the conspiracy rumors. Sometimes, I think they are fun to talk about, but I never lend them any credence.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
funny
over at my baseball forum, the conspiracy talk after the potting and before the draw was about how the US got shafted on purpose when FIFA paired CONCACAF with asia. seems that no matter what the result, people talk of conspiracy.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 4, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think ...
… that’s part of what this blog needs to be about, AV. A lot of people follow soccer once every four years and then act like experts when they do. That leads to a lot of people using folklore as expertise, which gives us the perpetuation of conspiracy.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 8:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm not above that!
i follow argentine soccer from afar every year and the WC with intensity, and there are still some things that make me wonder about the randomness of competition vs. the volition of FIFA—i’m not going to go, for example, as far as saying that maradona was doped in 94 to take him down, but i don’t think it was random that he was selected to be tested and that someone fingered him for a reason beyond fair play. in that light, that i still believe there is some degree of off-the-pitch bargaining affecting what happens on it, i do think it’s funny that conspiracyists are on every side of what happens, the good and the bad, the big and the small.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 5, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You follow Argentine soccer?
The Primera? Yes! Come back! Talk often! Let’s talked about Banfield and NOB. Estudiantes going to the World Club Cup. River-relegation in the Clausura-scenarios.
And if you’re talking the national team, let’s talk about why the program can’t seem to develop anybody at the back. Insua looks like he could become a fixture, but he’s been developing in England.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I second that, the fact that Banfield and “la lepra” (NOB) are fighting for the title while Boca is falling apart and River is trusting in 40 yo Gallardo and 80 yo Ortega to save them from relegation is so sweet (except that today River was holding elections and they are getting rid of their awful president so they will probably comeback to the top behind Bounanotte, who is a sleeper to make the Argentina National selection in 2010)
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's assuming ...
… Buonanotte isn’t sold, right? Broke club, their only commodity, though give his physical limitations, I don’t see them getting a ton for him.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, if he is sold he’ll probably end up in Russia or Ukaryne where is extrmely hard to get a call up, but i’m assuming the new administration doesn’t suck as much as the last one
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah ....
… as you may know by now, I write for Russian Football Now, and somebody like Cristian Ansaldi has had trouble getting a look (until recently) even though he plays a position at which the Albiceleste desperately need help.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i’m watching independiente beat (at the half) boca right now… i’m afraid i don’t know much about all the players and teams. the big names, yes. but i won’t be much help with banfield and newell’s, even if they’re at the head of the table. i watch their games, but i haven’t learned much about their players. i love estudiantes. watched them through most of the games of libertadores. veron’s an idol.
the selección has trouble with continuity, an issue predicated by its worst coach ever. maradona has used so many players and in so many configurations that the players go out with no sense of certainty or connection, no knowledge of each other. with insua, i wish i knew more. i see him once in a while in the national colors, but not enough to figure out his style. and i don’t watch premier league.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 5, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boca just tied the game, and yes Maradona is terrible whenever he read the list of guys he called up to participate in the qualys, it just let you stunned.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
piatti scores for el rojo and boca is indeed in trouble.
i don’t know about buonanotte. he’s good and all, but there’s no lack of talent up top. i really think riquelme is the missing link to make that talent work. too bad maradona has beef with him and won’t even consider him.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 5, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually Riquelme was the one that quit, of course it was due to some comments of Maradona calling him “pecho frio” (it means that he doesn’t feel the Argentina t-shirt, don’t know if i explain myself), and some press claim that Riquelme and Messi don’t get along.
And about Buonanotte, he isn’t the first choice, but with a injury or just some Maradona randomness he can make it.
And Indpte. just won the type of game that Boca always seemed to pull off, but can’t do it now.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you all ...
… see the results of the election at River?
It’s going to be a long time before we know who really won.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, they have to do a recount, they showed both parties celebrating when the results were up, ii mean almost 11000 votes and only 2 votes differnce thats as close as it gets
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So ...
… we’ll probably never know who truly won, though both sides have claimed victory.
Wouldn’t have expected anything else from River right now.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Apparentely they invalidated 3 votes to Pasarella because of some technicallity and ended up losing by 2 votes to D’onofrio, this may end up really bad if the “Barras Bravas” (Argentina Hooligans) get involved
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i know, i know. riquelme quit, he had issues with messi… yet it seemed maradona had to make a grand gesture of handing the 10 to messi and he did it by making sure riquelme understood he couldn’t wear it anymore. but i frankly think riquelme should be playmaker at center forward and messi should come from the right angling toward goal. i drool over that prospect. it would cut down on double- or multi-teaming messi, since riquelme is dangerous in his own way, and messi would still be able to improvise combinations after receiving a play pass.
buonanotte. the only thing i don’t like about him has nothing to do with the way he plays. it has to do with the way he takes a fall, rolls on the ground with his hands over his face in pain, and looks between his fingers to see if there’s a yellow or a penalty being perhaps administered. he’s taking bad cues from ortega, in my opinion. and to let you know my opinion, ortega’s way is what embarrasses me most about argentine futbol. i can take the fakery as part of the game, but not the backhanded hitting. and it’s not like the dive hoping for a penalty ending up in a headbutt in 98 is all in the past and he’s a new guy. in the superclásico this year he nailed a boca player with an elbow to the back of the head, which the boca player answered with a benign, albeit illegal, swat to ortega’s chest, which caused “el burrazo” to fall gripping his head as if he’d been hit in the face. second-yellow red card for the boquense leading to a 1-1 tie which river did not deserve. and i don’t mean to imply i’m anti river and see things only from boca’s side. i’m actually an independiente fan with a balanced view of xeneize-millionario rivalry. it was truly an embarrassment, especially considering ortega had to resort to this kind of crap because he’d missed a penalty kick earlier.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 6, 2009 5:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Banfield and NOB aren't River and Boca, but ...
… I’ve love this tournament for it. I kind of “fell for” Banfield (specifically, Rodríguez, though I suppose this is where the name Silva has to go) early in the season and have been sure to follow them sense. Great season for them, even with the shock result last week. It just seems one or two tournaments too soon for them to be having this success, but it would be interesting to see them win it, IMO.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly because it’s coming on ahead of their time that i’m not up on them. i finally got used to velez and huracan being at their best, especially playing “tiki tiki” which is my favorite thing about argentine futbol (what i’d even identify as the argentine style), and this season huracan is 2 from the bottom instead of 2 from the top and velez isn’t quite as together as they showed themselves last season. banfield and newell’s are just surprising everyone, me included, and i never really believed it so i didn’t make a point of catching their games.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Dec 6, 2009 5:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just because a lot of tix...
…were bought out of the US doesn’t mean they’re all for the US.
by Nico2.0 on Dec 5, 2009 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And South Africa
really put themselves in a tough group – or was it all random?
by not humble enough on Dec 4, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think ...
… we have any reason to think the draw was something other than random, but I also don’t think South Africa got a tough group. At least, not relative to the other groups.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah ...
… I should write a feature post on them. They’re ridiculously talented, which makes their current state ridiculous.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
France should
have a target on them; I’m sure none of the other 31 teams want to see France have any success after L’affaire Henry. I look for France to finish 3rd or 4th in the group and be largely unimpressive. If they were to advance very far, it would all feel fake and unjust.
by chillicothe20 on Dec 4, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
It went as bad as it could have. They couldn’t get any seeded teams and got three next best things.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree ...
Uruguay is not that good, nor is France. Could improve? Yes, but so could a lot of teams.
France is demonstrably not that good. They weren’t that good at Euro 2008. They weren’t that good in qualifying. They weren’t that good in their playoff. They have horrible coaching. Their players are frustrated by the FFF’s unwillingness to act.
South Africa could have had it much, much worse. If Paraguay and Denmark were in the place of Uruguay and France, they’d be in worse shape.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
France and Zidane
I think you can make a strong case that France’s success over the last decade or so has been largely determined by Zinadine Zidane. If you look at their periods of dominance (WC 1998, Euro 2000, WC 2006), Zidane was in the squad and healthy. When they have struggled (WC 2002, the period after his first retirement, the current squad), they’ve been pretty mediocre. He’s just been the difference maker for that team, and a truly inspirational figure for them. I think we’ll look back in a few years and recognize Zizou as the most important footballer of his generation, bar none. We’re all lucky that we got to see him at his peak.
Not mediocre. Right about average
by trza on Dec 5, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
correction
I meant to say that when he’s been hurt or out of the squad, France has been mediocre
Not mediocre. Right about average
by trza on Dec 5, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And when you watch France ...
… all of the characteristics that made Zidane a legend are completely missing from the team.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting Take
But I think you are over thinking it.
Its still France with all of their depth and all of that BS will mean nothing in the WC. Maybe it could be worse, but not by much.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 5, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm half english, half american...
very excited to see my countries of citizenship play each other, and the ideal outcome is whatever helps both of them to advance from the group.
capital letters suck.
by soccerfreak on Dec 4, 2009 7:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, interesting conflict.
If I were you I would choose England until we beat them.
by Cool Dudes on Dec 4, 2009 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well i figure usa will most likely need the points more...
capital letters suck.
by soccerfreak on Dec 5, 2009 3:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aussie here. Group D isn’t favourable for me I reckon. As people have pointed out Germany seem to have qualification under control. I’m not even sure who the dark horse is here: Ghana or Australia?
Serbia is going to be strong on defense. Ghana will at least have the advantage of knowing the playing conditions. And they are a bunch of fit players. It’s going to be tough.
Pretty bummed we didn’t draw the US or England. Woulda been fun.
by skipkirk on Dec 4, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That group ...
… is very touch, and there will be no easy matches, but each of the six fixtures will be worth watching. They could go 3-0-0, but Germany could also get upset by any of those sides. Even Ghana-Serbia will be really interesting. Really, it’s the type of group that makes the World Cup such a great event.
by Richard Farley on Dec 4, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely
I can’t wait to watch the matches in that group!
Not mediocre. Right about average
by trza on Dec 5, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice to see another fan from that group
As noted above I am a German fan and someone above stated this group as the Son Of The Group Of Death. Here’s my mini-breakdown if you will. First off I am glad Germany draws Serbia for it’s first match. We last played them in Euro 2008 and even though we won this game it will be a tightly played tactical match. Australia for me is a bit scary. A bit under rated they will be solid in the backfield and can ride the shoulders of their great keeper Mark Schwarzer. The only thing they really lack is a bona fide striker. Ghana is the team I would not want to play first. They have home field advantage and their speed and creativity will give some teams fits. I am glad we play them last. A tough group for sure with some interesting matchups.
by 1newplayer on Dec 5, 2009 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad...
…there wasn’t the possibility of an England, USA, Australia, New Zealand group. That would’ve been fun.
by Nico2.0 on Dec 5, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The whole...
…“former colony” angle would’ve been cool, plus the natural Australia/NZ rivalry.
Kind of interesting how group H has three Spanish speaking teams from three different confederations.
by Nico2.0 on Dec 5, 2009 1:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey qualification could pit Australia against England! That’s some motivation.
by skipkirk on Dec 6, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
interesting that a potential spain-brazil matchup would happen so early.
either round of 16 or quarters.
capital letters suck.
by soccerfreak on Dec 5, 2009 3:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry I didn't chime in on this earlier ...
… but to my knowledge, if Brazil and Spain both win their groups, they will be played on opposite halves of the Stage 2 bracket. If one slips, they would meet in the Round of 16.
I’m already looking forward to a Spain-Brazil final.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This group A makes me think about the group A fo 2002 in wich France didn’t qualify, i mean in 2002 they were Denmark, Senegal, Uruguay and France, now you just replace Denmark with Mexico (similar quality, and you can make the case taht this Mexico is better than the 2002 Denmark) and Senegal with South Africa, wich were considered the weakest African Team in that World Cup as South Africa is now.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can see that ...
… and it is interesting to think about Mexico’s quality. I’m afraid I might not be the guy to ask, as I’ve come to look very favorably on this Mexico side. But with Group A, I think the Bafana Bafana should be happy, because I can see a lifeline out of that group, too.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it all depends in wich France shows up, the may implode in the first round or they could be finalists, it’s just a weird team to figure out, just like their coach.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that." Bill Shankly
by SantiagoColombia on Dec 5, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed ...
… France is one of a few teams where “depends who shows up” will drastically effect their group, their future, and the tournament. You could also say similar things about Portgual, Argentina, and Nigeria.
by Richard Farley on Dec 5, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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