 Argentina | 15th World Cup appearance | 33 Win 19 Loses 13 Draws | 2 Time World Champions (79, 86) 1 Time Runners-Up & 14 Time South America Champions |
 Nigeria | 4th World Cup appearance | 4 Wins 1 Draw 6 Losses | 2 times 1/16th finals in WC & 2 times African Champions (80, 94) 3 times Runners-Up & 7 times African third place |
 (South) Korea Republic | 8th World Cup appearance | 4 Wins 7 Draws and 13 Losses | 4th Place in the World Cup 2002 & 2 Times Asian Champions (56, 60) 3 Times Runners up and 2 times 3rd Place |
 Greece | 2nd World Cup appearance | 0 Wins 0 Draws 3 Losses | European Champions 2004 |
Disclaimer:
By the end of the day my biggest subjectivity is for Argentina, I will forgive them everything and love the team something like this that word can’t describe:
The Expected Scenario
Leo Messi finally reproduces his Barcelona form for Argentina, Diego Maradona’s strange lack of defensive midfielders and defenders doesn’t prove costly and Argentina take the top spot. Nigeria had a very solid defense during the January African Nations Cup and this could see them continue their tradition and qualify out of the group in a tight context between Greece and South Korea. The conservative scenarios sees a tight contest between the Africa, Asian and European team for second place.
Maradona’s madness causes problems again and Argentina don’t rise above the other three teams making this a highly exciting group of 4 contenders for first.
The Shocker Scenario
Argentina melts down, South Korea reproduces their home-turf performance of 2002, Nigeria finds poetic inspiration and Greece’s aging generation gives a last Hurrah.
Nigeria shock Argentina with a concentrated performance, much like in 1994.
For the first time ever the group ends with three teams equal on goal difference, points and standings and South Korea go through on least red cards received together with Nigeria.
This will be an entertaining group.
Greece, Nigeria and Argentian were already in the same group in 1994, the same year when Maradona was definitelly banned for testing positive for drugs. Argentina destroyed Greece and Nigeria before losing to Bulgaria and Romania.
A giant that is limping, Argentina barely qualified for the World Cup. Nigeria, waiting to explode with offensive talent could barely score a goal during the African Nations Cup and defended their way to third place with exceptional backline and midfield disruptive football (rare for an African team). Greece is capable of a lot but only occasionally show anything worthy of even a grunt, this however is the last hurrah for an expetional old generation that once pulled a rabbit out of a hat to win the European Championship in Portugal (Deservedly). South Korea, taken to great levels by Guus Hiddink nearly a decade ago, but showed nothing as spectacular over the past number of years. They are a hard working no nonsense team, if they score early they just might keep soring themselves out of the group, self-confidence is key for them.
This is a group hard to predict, the three teams besides Argentina all have great potential. Greece has all the attributes to go on, but South Korea and Nigeria have some as well.
The analysis will come down to consistent performance.
Key Personalities
Leo Messi
To even those that don’t really know what offsides is he need little to no introduction. The little handicapped teenager, known as "Pulga" or "Flea" that turned into what still seems like the greatest talent ever to grace the sport will have all eyes on him this tournament. While his performances for Barcelona have been legendary, his Argentina showings have usually been poor and anonymous. Can he finally break through like his illustrious coach once did and carry his capable teammates to do something extraordinary this World Cup?
Diego Armando Maradona
Cocaine, illegitimate children, handgoals, as a player he was legendary and infamous. Now he has tamed his addictions and become an angry middle aged ball of unformed emotions and fat. His temper tantrums and antics in Argentina are terryfying, under his coaching the team barely managed to qualify and failed to perform. Argentina’s performance will rely largely on wether or not el Diego can finally coach instead of showboating, as the team is not short on talent, except for the 2-3 best players in the world he has omitted from the squad.
John Obi Mikel
Plucked young from the Norwegian league, this Chelsea midfielder is a disciplined and consistent presence on the pitch. He has a tremendous defect though, he can’t score. His dynamic play often gets him into scoring positions, of which he only managed to score 3 opportunities during his 181 professional matches. Secure in his tackling, positioning and work on the pitch, Nigeria’s performance largely depends on his leadership and cool headedness, even if he won’t be noticed by the public or get on the scoresheet.
A veritable dynasty in charge of a Swedish National team that never really managed to achieve anything. He was the embodyment of need-for-change with the Swedish national team. A slave of his 4-4-2 tactics, he is one of those coaches that forces players into positions rather than actually forming tactics around the best use of their abilities. Sounds bad? Gamla Lars (old Lars) might just be coach that Nigeria needed, brining discipline and allowing players to concentrate on performing simple tasks on the pitch to perfection. Nigeria’s problem has often been lack of concentration, teamwork and focus and Lasse might just be the man.
Nicknamed „Spider Hands” in Korea, he is one of the finest goalkeepers in Asia of all time. Even when his team has been underperforming this solid, consistent goalkeeper is underrated internationally. Can he prevent his spiders from getting squished and give his team the confidence behind them to repeat or better the glories of 2002?
If not Lee Woon-Jae then Kim Nam-Il is the veteran to give stability and leadership in a Korean midfield. He became a superstar in Korea due to his key performances in 2002, in fact his name is synonymous in Korean tabloids with sports superstardom, kind of like Beckham or CR9 in other places. Can he actually play? Yes, very well. He is a player underappreciated for his defensive and passing abilities, and its a surprise he never made it Europe until this January moving to Russian Permier League Tom Tomsk also-rans and becoming a key player in midfield.
Otto Rehhagel
Probably the most underrated coach in the game. Otto masterminded the impossible on many occasions, most notably Greece’s unbelievable European Championship win in 2004. This old and concentrated German, unlike Maradona, is a master of football tactics, evolving the traditional German style of 4-5-1 to new heights where his team holds an opponent to frustration before scoring on the few opportunities they get. A legend in Greece, he has a new generation under his hands will he manage to repeat his achievements? Very possible.
Giorgos Karagounis
The spiritual and hardworking leader of the Greek team during the 2004 win. Translation: he screams a lot at everyone and gets bursts of unbriddled passions on the ball that often result in a goal. The archetypal greek emotional patern, combined with fancy footwork, „Black” Gounis is a highly underrated player mainly due to the fact that he moved to Inter Milan where he got no playing time due to intense competition. He was a star in the Potruguese league and is probably the best player in the Greek league. If Greece does well, he will be somewhere near the center of the camera.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos
A horse posing as a human. This ponytailed giant, like Karagounis, was long underrapreciated and underrated. He formed a part of the perfect defense that conceded almost no goals druing the 2004 championship. He managed to move and integrate into Liverpool surprisingly this season, and is his individual defensive abilities really rank among the best in Europe. Sometimes he is very prone to bad runs of form. If he avoids this dip Greece can surprise everyone this World Cup.
No-so-handsome but very very effective. For the Athens clover team of Panathinaikos he so often darts down the right wing, cuts inside and scores goals. He constitutes a large part of the Greek offensive power. Don’t be surprised that his scoring will be directly related to Greek success, he doesn’t look the part.
Peter Odemwingie
Half Russian, half Nigerian born in Uzbekistan. As a player he combines the best traits of a Brazillian with a Danish winger. For Nigeria, although some coaches have not played him as often as they should have, he can really create goals for his teammates like few other players. His runs on the left wing are poetic yet dangerous, and an Odemwingie in form can make all the difference for an otherwise lackluster Nigerian attack. However, this often doesn’t happen due to lack of gel in the team, and lack of teamwork. Can Lars get Peter to be firing all cylinders by June 12?
Martín Palermo
A legend in the Tango heartland of the Boca neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. He has scored phenomenal amounts of goals in his career, 235 in club football. Ever since his legendary missing of three penalties in one game during the Copa America match versus Colombia which saw Argentina eliminated, he has been ignored by the national team. Now at 36 Maradona has recalled him to the team and he scored the vital goals which qualified Argentina to the World Cup and has kept scoring ever since... largely from the bench. Palermo is charismatic, and he could end up very well known indeed after this Word Cup, he has all the abilities necessary, but a piece of advice: I would not let him take any more penalties..
Diego Milito
The best attacker in the World this season. He fired Inter Milan to the triple crown of the Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champion’s League. He also received the award from the player’s association of „friendliest and kindest colleague” for two years running. Nobody really paid attention to him for a long time even though he was bagging loads of goals at various levels until his transfer to Inter. He was part of the Racing de Avellaneda team that won the Argentine championship after 35 years, for this I will be forever gratefull Maradona, doesn’t play him, so his inclusion in the squad needed nothing short of greatnerss, but he could still end up on the bench.
„La Bruja” or „the Witch” Verón’s second coming is now. He had a career that saw him play for many of Europe’s top clubs including Manchester United and Lazio. He has the ability to put a pass on the head of a nail from 100 meters away, and this is what Maradona is hoping for in including this veteran in the team. He is rather slow now, can his experience make up for it?
Walter Samuel
The rock in the Inter Milan defense this season that made all the difference in qualifying. His career has been nothing short of phenomenal, although quiet. He doesn’t get in the media much despite having played for the likes of Real Madrid, Inter and Roma. Can Samuel show the solidity traditionally present in the Argentine defense, or will he return to the characteristic flappy-lazy defense of Diego’s national team? It was his partnership with Demichelis that shored it up allowing qualification.
Carlos Tévez
An emblem in the premiership, “el Apache” has a nickname given to him due to the slum in Buenos Aires he comes from. He pulled a pot with boiling water on his face when he was a child leaving a famous deformation on his face. Wayne Rooney was compared to him once, but Carlos has played much better for his clubs than for the national team. Can he deliver this World Cup and rationalize the fact that he is Diego’s first choice despite often failing to impress? Keep an eye on him when he has the ball, things happen.
Park Ji-Sung
When he moved to Manchester United, some of the English press thought it was just t attract viewers from Asia. He has proven them wrong, sort-off, although he never rediscovered his top form at Man Utd, this hard working offensive midfielder is the captain and leader of the Korean team. The Korean attacking game depends largely on his creativity and leadership against tough opposition. Watch out for his crossing ability.
Unknowns Set to Shine
Ángel Di María
An unknown only because he is Argentine, and has a lot of comepetition for the limelight. This winger is largely responsible for Benfica’s great season, and his power in dribbling and thundering long distance shooting, despite having the appearance of a skinny kid, makes him one of the most anticipated young players at this World Cup.
Sergio Agüero
Again, only unknown because he is very young and still has just begun to live up to the massive expectation placed on him. As Maradona’s son-in-law his selection was something of a sure thing, and that is controversial, but luckily he managed to achieve the small task of leading Atletico Madrid to Europa Cup glory this season. He is a small forward that dribbles and creates, kind of an alternative to Tevez. Far from „unknown” this World Cup for him is an opportunity to claim the greatness which he is capable of.
Javier Pastore
Starred with unfancied Huracan, then moved to unfancy Palermo, but for his young age has forced his way into Maradona’s team. Pastore is another Argentina that truly has a special talent of finding the shortcut to goal. He might even be a starter.
Chinedu Obasi
One of the small band of players that put formerly unknown Hoffenheim on the footballing map. As Hoffenheim continued to challenge for the top spots in the Bundesliga, so Obasi did provide the explosive energy on their offensive right wing which saw them regulary beat such giants as Bayern of Schalke. He was probably one of the best performing Nigerians during the African Nations cup which doesn’t say much, but if Nigeria manages to make an impact in South Africa then Obasi will be in the photograph.
Ki Sung-Yong
Blah blah blah „Korean Gerrard.” English Ki Sung-Yong? Not a chance! Sung-yong plays for Scottish giants Celtic since this past January and how! He has made himself a regular star with Celtic, with dynamic and powerful play. Expect him to at least reveal a moment of brilliance in this group in the Korean center midfield.
Lee Chung-Yong
Another Korean young supertalent, and one of the best young revelations in the English premiership this season. A clever and talented right-winger Chung-Yong is a veritable danger to any opposition. Already a starter with Korea, he is highly unlikely to leave the World Cup unnoticed on the world stage.
Sotiris Ninis
Perhaps the heir to Karagounis as the creative drive of the Greek team, there is no doubt that Ninis can dribble and pass like few players. This small Greek has gotten extensive top level experience this season and has a big chance to make a big impact on this World Cup.
The Schedule
3 | 12/06 @ 1600h | | |
4 | 12/06 @ 1330h | | |
19 | 17/06 @ 1600h | | |
20 | 17/06 @ 1330h | | |
35 | 22/06 @ 2030h | | |
36 | 22/06 @ 2030h | | |
Posts
Speaking, of course, subjectively, Maradona is not fat, nor skinny. One cannot call God "fat" or "skinny" or anything. God is God. And that is Maradona. Perdition and Glory and Sorrow and Joy, that is Argentina.
ReplyDeleteNot challenging the divinity... just playing victim to my mortal humours and my daily opinion... Argentina is my love and Maradona is the figurehead. Perdition is still followed by the Asado :)
ReplyDelete