As the teams make their way to South Africa, just over a week from the kickoff of the tournament, I am going to look at each group in depth and try to highlight strengths, weaknesses and select some dark horses that may surprise us on the road to this year’s title.
Today is Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay
Since France is really only in this tournament because of Thierry Henry’s ability to handle the ball during a game of footie and not get caught, I was hoping they would have drawn a slightly tougher group, maybe even this year’s group of death. But it was not to be.
France, having won the World Cup only once, and doing so as an underdog, cannot be counted out. Captain, and leading all-time scorer for the country, Henry is deadly in front of the net, no matter what body part he decides to use.
However, Group A remains a very intriguing group. Mexico has become one of the most consistent teams in World Cup tournaments, advancing to the round of 16 in each of the last four tournaments. Mexico is also coming into the tournament as one of the better-prepared teams, for when the tournament kicks off on June 11, they will have played 12 friendlies, half of which were against fellow World Cup opponents.
Mexico, however, will have to struggle with the feat of facing the host nation in the opening game and its ensuing rambunctious crowd of supporters, which always proves to be a tough spot for any team to overcome.
South Africa will attempt to avoid becoming the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage. I do not think they will do it however. Composed mostly of local stars, the team as hosts, did not have to qualify for the tournament and sadly would likely not have qualified otherwise. This group will likely be too difficult for them to survive, and they should simply enjoy the ride and build on the experience.
Despite winning two World Cup titles in 1930 and 1950, Uruguay have won only one group stage game since 1970, a victory against South Korea in 1990. Despite scoring 28 goals in qualifying, they have been shutout in four of their last seven games. And unless Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez can continue their solid goal-scoring form they showed for their European clubs this season, Uruguay are probably looking at another group stage elimination.
Look for France and Mexico to survive the group stage.
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TH will need more than his hands to get his team through. Look for mexico and Uruguay upset.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see an upset here with Uruguay and Mexico getting through. France (talent-wise) is on the decline so to have a couple of energetic and young teams in the next round would make things a little more entertaining. That's my thought anyway ...
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