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Deutschland, wir kommen - just don't know how long!
Hopatcong, NJ - So now that irony has once again connected Lothar Matthaus to American soccer, we can all thank the man who won the double with the LA Galaxy in 2005 for being in the ‘Group of Death’. Of course I’m not talking about Landon Donovan or Cobi Jones, although the latter was involved on that least memorable team. To think that something that happened 7 years ago, something that we put in the back of our minds after the performance of 2002, is now once again coming back to haunt us. Something that was created by the genius that is Steve Sampson. Whether you blame the Harkes situation, the addition of Davis Regis, the inclusion of Brian Maisonneuve in the starting line up, the brilliant formation and strategy of 3-6-1 or all of these put together, one fact still stands. Win an American championship or two, Steve Sampson will still forever go down in history as the most hated coach of our time! All it would have taken was a tie against Iran or Yugoslavia, just a tie. That would have given US 44 points and a seed. Instead, we get to watch our rivals Mexico play against Iran, Angola and Portugal, while we have one of the toughest draws of the tournament. Now don’t get me wrong, group C with Argentina, Ivory Coast and Netherlands is just as tough if not tougher then group E, but there is one little technicality that people overlook. Finish second in group C, and you will most likely play Portugal. Finish second in group E, and you are sure of facing the giants of Brazil!
In Italy we have another good opponent. Three time World Cup winners, although the last one coming 23 years ago, and often considered as world soccer power,
Being the hosts I don’t even see Germany finishing second. Poland is a very good team, probably much better then the one we saw in Korea. Even though they get attacked from the West and the East, I don’t see anyone else posing them a problem. Adios Ticos and Condors with the biggest wing span in the world. (I’m sure my Metro Tico friends won’t like this prediction, but seriously, what do they expect?)
1. Germany
England has one of the best teams in the World Cup they have ever had. Sweden is their sore thumb. Should be an interesting match up. Paraguay is always a surprise, and T&T are the whipping boys of this world cup. Dwight Yorke can say all he wants about the US National Team, but when they lose 7-0 to England, 5-0 to Sweden and 3-0 to Paraguay, the party in Port of Spain will stop. Dwight, I saw you play against Bahrain, time to hang them up!
1. England
Is this the group of death? Along with Group E, sure. I’m glad US avoided this group because Argentina and Netherlands are better then Italy and Czech Republic, but there are other positives to this group I’ll discuss later. Ivory Coast should walk away with at least a point, but the favorites are obvious. Didier Drogba is a star at Chelsea, but even he is overrated.
1.Netherlands
So what if Iran is building a nuclear program, you can’t tell me you will not be rooting for them against Mexico. The win would most certainly spur wild celebrations on the streets of Tehran and several small towns across North Jersey if the gigante evil Mexico is beaten! An interesting matchup in this group is Portugal against Angola. Last time these two Portuguese-speaking countries met in a friendly the game was stopped by 70th minute due to player violence! Another interesting fact, do you remember the last world cup when another African debutant met their World Cup winning colonizers in the first match? I would love a repeat of that, wouldn’t you?
1.Portugal
Well I already discussed our draw. This is the real group of death. Not only because of the 4 nations in it, but also because a first place here is a must, otherwise its most likely Brazil in the round of 16! And don’t be surprised to see Italy tie Ghana!
1.USA (Just watch ‘Miracle on Ice’ and you’ll understand!)
Everyone keeps saying how easy this group is for Brazil, and its true. Although none of their opponents really pose a threat, someone is bound to get a point from the giant. Number two here is really tough, but my pick would set up one heck of a 2nd round based on most recent press releases, especially those in Australia. I think you’ll agree!
1.Brazil
So Korea finished 4th at the last world cup, does anyone actually think they will win a game in this one? I do, against Togo of course. France might have learned from the last World Cup, but in Switzerland they face an opponent who knows them all too well, see WC Qualifying! Outside the African contingent, this one is a tough one, still my picks will prevail!
1.France
Spain are the perennial underachievers at major tournaments, so how is next year any different then previous 76 years? Its not. They will once again start out slow and pick up steam in the end only to come up short. The team to take advantage? No other then Ukraine! Schevchenko has been waiting almost 10 years for this moment, he will not allow himself or his teammates to fail. Tunisia are continental champs, but so were the Greeks. Saudi Arabia might improve from 2002, but only in goal differential department.
1.Ukraine
My pick for the bust of the tournament goes to the whole continent of Africa. For the first time in as a long as I can remember, an African team will not advance to the second round. There is just not enough talent in Angola, Togo and Tunisia. Ivory Coast and Ghana are the best hope, but unfortunately for them, the ‘death’ in ‘group of death’ usually applies to Africa. As far as US, they will reach quarterfinals and prove themselves as a world soccer power! (I hope). But I’m not going to complain if they only get out of the group. The winner, for the sixth time, will be Brazil. There is just too much talent on that team. Ronaldinho is the best player in the world, and Adriano is the type of player no defender can contain. But I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing it, so I’ll stop here. And there you have it!
-Special to the NJB. Dimitri can be reached at:
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So how much do we really know about our opponents? Czech Republic is ranked 2nd in the world by Fifa behind Brazil. With the star-studded line up of Jan Koller, Tomas Rosicky, Peter Cech, Pavel Nedved, Vladimir Smicer and Milan Baros, most would pick them as favorites to win Group E. Historically, in 1990 then Czechoslovakia beat up on our young squad by the score of 5-1. But this is 16 years later, and times have changed. If Oguchi Onyewu can contain Koller and Pablo Mastroeni can repeat his performance in Korea and neutralize Nedved, we have a chance. The Czechs qualified through a playoff with Norway. And although you have to give them credit for finishing second out of a tough group that included the Netherlands and Romania, their wins over Norway, who were considered the weakest of all playoff teams, were not impressive. If Norway brings their 1st team to California on January 29th, this will provide a good test too see how well we match up against the Czechs. In my opinion, a draw would be the best start against the toughest opponent in our group.
they are ranked 12th by Fifa, and below the US. (Although we all know these rankings don’t mean anything) Recent history against them provides us with 2 losses, a 1-0 friendly in 2002 in preparation for Japorea, and a 1-0 loss in 1990 when Italy hosted. Considering the way they left Korea 3 years ago and their failure in European Championships last year, Toti and company will be out for blood in this tournament. Marcello Lippi has this team playing attractive attacking soccer. (Wait, did I just say that about Italian soccer?!?) Unlike in the past where this nation would sit on 1-0 leads, recent friendlies show that this team is different. Whether this is a plus or minus for the United States is yet to be seen. They will have to watch out for Luca Toni, who is considered as an up and coming star, and has been ripping up the Serie A with Fiorentina as of lately. A draw could be considered as a successful result, but don’t kid yourself, in this group only a win would be satisfactory.
When it comes to Ghana no one really knows much about them. Ranked 50th by Fifa, 2 spots below South Africa who they beat home and away in qualifying, they are considered the top African side along with Ivory Coast. But South Africa of 2004/2005 is not the same South Africa we have come to expect since they debuted in 1994, and the victories against them could be seen as expected. The problem Ghana poses for United States is that much like other debutant African countries of the past, they will be out for blood to prove themselves. Should they pull of a result against the Italians or Czechs, and they will be playing to advance. Should they lose both those games, they will be playing for pride. This game may prove to be the toughest of the three. Their player to go to is Michael Essien, who plays for Chelsea and is considered to be another star that will reveal himself in Germany. If we can shut him down, we’re looking pretty good. The problem with African sides is that they are less organized then the Europeans, especially in the back. So if Beasley, McBride and Donovan can take advantage of that, US can pick up 3 points. Anything other then a win here and US is surely going home.
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia Montenegro
Netherlands
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
My pick as the surprise team of the tournament goes to none other then Ukraine! Sheva, Voronin, Vorobei, Husin, Husev, Shovkovskiy and the emerging Aliev will prove to the world that Oleg Blokhin will become a legendary coach in soccer circles, and match if not surpass the great Lobanovskiy. They will surprise everyone and reach the quarterfinals where they will eventually lose to Brazil. Think I’m biased? “You Betcha!”
