Apologies for the lack of daily updates, I’ve been a bit busy over the last few days, so here are my thoughts on what I have seen over the first two phases of the group stages.
Group A
The Germans late win against Poland was what they deserved, and with Michael Ballack fit they have a strong chance of winning the group today, Ecuador have impressed me throughout the tournament, much to my surprise, and if they avoid defeat to the Germans will win the group. Poland have looked as good as last world cup (i.e.: dreadful), and Costa Rica who played well against Germany should probably have done better against Ecuador.
Group B
England, although not appearing to play in top gear, have done enough to reach the second round, with 80 minutes of rubbish, and followed by one well taken, and one superb goal against Trinidad, the Swedes, who England play today have looked poor going forward, and were lucky to have taken all 3 points against Paraguay. That said, Paraguay have offered very little in attack, and they are, IMO, quite deservedly out of the tournament, and if Sweden avoid defeat against England, Trinidad will be following Paraguay. This is a pity really, although they have played ultra-defensively in their first two games, at times they have caused defences to sweat, and seeing players from Wrexham and Luton compete against some of the worlds most expensive players is always good to see.
Group C
This group has rightly lived up to its Group of Death naming, with the Netherlands and Argentina already through, despite Ivory Coast looking the best of all the African nations. Argentina have looked by far the best of all the teams so far, their 6-0 crushing of Serbia & Montenegro was the best performance of the tournament by any team, and their second goal, a series of 24 passes followed by a clinical finish by Cambiasso, could possibly be called the greatest team goal ever, eclipsing Brazils 4th goal in 1970. The Netherlands have looked competent in their two victories and could still go all the way, although some of their defending has been dodgy at times, while both pointless teams, Serbia & Montenegro and Ivory Coast have shown glimpses of why they qualified, although S&M also showed the typical dirty play traits of a typical Yugoslav team.
Group D
This group has lived up to my “ZZZZ” opinion of it with Portugal misfiring on their way to 6 points, and Mexico struggling too. Angola have put a good fight up in both games, deservedly earning a point against Mexico, and they could sneak into second spot with a win over Iran and Mexico losing to Portugal, whilst Iran haven’t really done much, all in all, a dull group.
Group E
This has the potential to be the best group of the tournament thanks to the Czechs losing miserably to Ghana, and Italy struggling against the USA, with a win for any side giving them the chance to progress (although it depends on results for the USA). I have to confess, I didn’t see the Czech Ghana match, but what I have heard is that Ghana should have scored plenty, and the Czechs were poor, I did see the USA vs Italy, and the Italians just couldn’t score to take all the points and secure their progression to the next round. The last matches, Czechs vs Italy and Ghana vs USA should have been simple with both the Czechs and Italy through, now both matches could be the most important ones ever for 3 of the teams, and a vital match for the Italians.
Group F
Brazil are another side not firing on all cylinders yet, but they are through so anything can happen now, the Australians have looked good in both their two games, whilst Japan and Croatia have looked decidedly poor, but both teams still have a chance to progress (although that’s unlikely for Japan as they have to play Brazil). The Croatia vs Australia match will be interesting, as 3 of the Croatian players were born in Australia, and 7 of the Australian players were born in Croatia, so their could be some fireworks there.
Group G
This is another exciting group, with the possibility that France will go home after the group stages again, although if they win by 2 clear goals they will progress, albeit in second place with a probable match against Spain. South Korea have looked pretty good, grabbing a somewhat deserved point against the French (France should have sealed the match earlier, but just looked like they couldn’t be bothered), while Togo are on their way home, which is a pity as they have at times looked good. The Swiss looked confident against Togo, and were unlucky against France, so they could beat Korea and go through as group winners, which would be very interesting.
Group H
After their 4-0 drubbing by Spain, the Ukraine inflicted the same scoreline on a very poor Saudi side, whilst Spain qualified for the next stages with a win against Tunisia, although they were 1-0 down until into the 2nd half. Ukraine have a chance to join them with a win against Tunisia, whilst the Saudis have to hope they can beat Spain to stand any chance of progressing. Overall, a good group with plenty of goals (4 in every game so far) with Spain looking very good going forward and they could go quite far in the tournament.
In summary, the best teams I have seen so far in the tournament are:
- Argentina
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- Italy
- Brazil
- Portugal
- England
With all except Italy through so far there could be some very interesting knockout matches.
My List of Best teams would contain Germany who i believe are building nicely. Also i think Ghana look a good side and could surprise the USA to go through in that group at the expense of the Czechs or Italians.
Undecided about Holland, they have done enough and look like they may have more to come but I need to see them being tested. Tonights match against Argentina should answer some questions.
In fact, not sure that Group C was the group of Death, rather think that moniker may in hindsight be attached to Group E, we’ll see if Ghana can forced a fancied European side out of the competition.
Spain impressed me after the second matches, I wasnt sure about their 4-0 win over Ukraine, however it turns out they are not such a bad team so was a good result. THeir win over tunisia was more impressive as they came back from being behind at HT and they had options on the bench which changed the game. I would seriously think about keeping the side they finished with for the knock-out stages, Fabregas looked a class act alongside Alonso.