Group C - The Group Of Death
Okay, every tournament has one, you know, the Group that has 1 good side, 2 very good sides and one that could win the tournament. Ladies and Germs, I give you Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro, Holland and Argentina.
Marco van Basten reacts to the World Cup draw.
Ivory Coast had a great African Cup of Nations and there was an inevitability that they would lose the final on penalties to the hosts Egypt who didn't qualify for this tournament. The Ivorians' have three Premiership players in their line-up and all three had outstanding seasons - although Eboue and Drogba are gaining a reputation for 'simulation' more than anything else. They have set their own hopes quite low, points gained against the two seeds would be seen as a success but if they can out muscle sides in the middle of the pitch they could spring a surprise.
Serbia & Montenegro could qualify from this group if Holland and Argentina don't get their heads together. The S & M only conceded one goal in qualification, they break quickly and I'm sure Mateja Kezman would love to prove a lot of people in England wrong by scoring on the big stage.
Holland are everybody's second team in major competitions aren't they? If they could put aside their mental angst, and collectively play the way we know they can indiviudally, Holland can go all the way to the final. Van Nistelrooy doesn't have anything to prove at club level but he has the opportunity over the next three weeks or so to put himself in a great position for a move to Spain.
Argentina
Juan Roman Riquelme
Marco van Basten reacts to the World Cup draw.
Ivory Coast had a great African Cup of Nations and there was an inevitability that they would lose the final on penalties to the hosts Egypt who didn't qualify for this tournament. The Ivorians' have three Premiership players in their line-up and all three had outstanding seasons - although Eboue and Drogba are gaining a reputation for 'simulation' more than anything else. They have set their own hopes quite low, points gained against the two seeds would be seen as a success but if they can out muscle sides in the middle of the pitch they could spring a surprise.
Serbia & Montenegro could qualify from this group if Holland and Argentina don't get their heads together. The S & M only conceded one goal in qualification, they break quickly and I'm sure Mateja Kezman would love to prove a lot of people in England wrong by scoring on the big stage.
Holland are everybody's second team in major competitions aren't they? If they could put aside their mental angst, and collectively play the way we know they can indiviudally, Holland can go all the way to the final. Van Nistelrooy doesn't have anything to prove at club level but he has the opportunity over the next three weeks or so to put himself in a great position for a move to Spain.
Argentina
Juan Roman Riquelme
You won't find anybody in England prepared to admit publicly it but those who admire football in its purest form would love to see a last four of England, Brazil, Italy and Argentina. Argentina have a squad capable of winning the tournament for the third time in eight attempts, if Mascherano can win enough of the ball in midfield to allow Riquelme to dictate the tempo of the game they will win this group. A lot of people are predicting an upset in their opening game against the Ivory Coast but I think they will win by two or more goals.
posted by Paul at
7:46 pm
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