Beautiful Horizons: Group of Death One and Group D

June 04, 2006

Group of Death One and Group D

Group C may very well be considered at least one of the so-called groups of death in the World Cup this year. It consist of Argentina, Holland, Serbia & Montenegro (Montenegro, by the way, will formally declare it's independence later today) and the Ivory Coast.

Argentina is a well known force in international football. Unfortunately, they have had a now 11 year dry spell for any first team championships. To add insult injury, in 2004 Brazil, their dreaded rival, beat them by tying the score with a goal by Adriano in the last touch of the game in the championship game of the Copa America in 2004 and winning on penalties, followed by a brutal loss to Brazil in the Federations Cup last year. They have an impressive offense: Carlos Tevez, Juan Riquelme and Hernan Crespo bring experience and skill to the attack and the youthful Lionel Messi will be a killer coming off the bench while Pablo Aimar is a great midfield playmaker.

Their defense is very suspect. Gabriel Heinze is coming off of a cruciate ligament injury, many of the their defenders are a bit advanced in age (Sorin and Ayala) and I don't understand why Javier Zanetti was not selected. I have not seen much their goalkeeper, Roberto Abbondanzieri, but he did not impress in the Confederations Cup last year.

Which goes to the heart of why I'm not picking them to advance. I know I'm being heretical and going out on a limb here, but you know the old saying about opinions . . .

I don't think that Argentina's defenders will match up well against the speed of Holland's and Ivory Coast's attackers. Expect Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben to give Sorin and Ayala fits. Ivory Coast's defense (especially as manifested by Arsenal teammates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue) is more impressive than Argentin's IMHO. I believe Holland and Ivory Coast (which could be this year's Senegal) will go through in that order. Ivory Coast may go through by way of a superior goal difference while even on points with Argentina. Both Holland and Ivory Coast are more balanced teams than Argentina. We shall see.

As for Group D, this is easier to call. Expect the finish to be in this order: Portugal wins the group and lays to rest the demons of 2002. All hail Luis Felipe Scolari as it will be their coach who makes the difference. Mexico also advances as the number two team. Iran will finish third and Angola, well please be glad to be at the show. My God, you just got over years of civil war.

Posted by Randy Paul on June 04, 2006 at 12:34 AM in The Real Football | Permalink