One year out from the 2010 World Cup, thoughts...

[abpanther]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to generate discussion about next year's World Cup, we are about a year away and wanted to get thoughts about who everyone sees as the favourites, darkhorses, overrated, etc.

For myself, I think Argentina will struggle and may actually get bumped out in the 2nd round, the team is woefully thin and if it wasn't for Messi they would struggle to qualify for the WC. From South America, obviously Brazil has plenty of depth but I really like this young Chilean side, I think they could surprise and get to the quarters.

Spain are obiovusly red hot favourites and have overcome their cup hoo doo, they should do well, Italy are faltering.

Thoughts....

 

[Twizzle]

Spain for me.

I doubt Italy would make the final 8 on current form.

As usual the poms will get wiped out early

 

[fish eel]

Very hard to go past Spain.

 

[Mr Angry]

The final as always will be played between European or South American teams.

You can cross the rest out.

 

[weasel]

I'd say Spain, Germany and England are Europe's biggest hopes. France and Italy really have a lot of work to do, although admittedly France went into the last world cup hardly looking world beaters. Czech and Portugal might not even qualify. Holland will as usual be darkhorses, and you can put Russia there too.

Argentina, I don't know what's gone wrong there. The Brazilian supporters continue to be unhappy with Dunga but they're looking good now, and them and Chile will both be strong.

In Africa, who knows what's gonna happen. We'll have a clearer picture after this weekend's round of fixtures, but I think Ivory Coast will be the biggest threat, they're stronger now than 2006, with players like Drogba and Yaya Toure having become genuine world class performers, and a great core of players playing regularly in the big leagues. Egypt if they can qualify, will be the other big hope of the Africans. Would be extremely confident against anyone after their confederation cup showing.

CONCACAF looking very weak. Mexico struggling to qualify, USA on track but not looking so good. Costa Rica and Honduras have been getting very good results but it's very hard to measure their level, if they are on par with USA then we can guess it's not so high. I think the play-off between their fourth team and the south american team will give us a good indication of that region's qualities.

In Asia, I imagine Japan will have the best preparation. They have a largely J-League based squad, which makes it much easier for getting the team together for friendlies and training. The difference in Japan from just four years ago seems to be quite significant and I suspect they will go to next year's tournament with a lot of intent.

South Korea I think has the most talented team in Asia. They were in a much tougher qualifying group, and though their last two matches at home were a bit bleh, they were already qualified, and did it on the back of some excellent away performances in the Middle East. I think they will be a better side than in 2006 where they were pretty close to making the second round.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

I can't go past Brazil. Spain looked very flat and didn't get out of first gear against Iraq with a handful of changes to their line up whereas Brazil made their changes, came out of the blocks and had the US defeat inside 20 minutes. I think Brazil have more depth than anyone else and just seem to be able to pull a player from nowhere who could easily be in the starting lineup.

Spain don't really deal with expectation all that well so I wonder how much the pressure of the European Champions and number one ranked team in the world will take it's toll. If we have a Spain v Brazil final it could quite possibly be one of the greatest finals of all time.

Those are the obvious choices. I am not confident Germany can make too much of an impression at the tournament however this time they will be utilising their quality goalkeepers in Adler, Enke or Neuer and not that useless cushion Lehmann. Depth is the problem for them as an injury or two and a suspension here or there might cost them.

Argentina I still think could murder through the tournament and could do it just off Messi alone.

Australia, I feel, can get out of the group stage PROVIDED we have a 100% fit and ready squad to choose from. Despite the popular criticism, depth and NOT Verbeek is our main concern. An injury to Cahill could pretty much end our World Cup. I also believe we need a little more and I think Viduka would be that extra cog in our machine as McDonald is just rubbish.

The draw will be interesting and will give us a clearer picture.

 

[fish eel]

I can't go past Brazil. Spain looked very flat and didn't get out of first gear against Iraq with a handful of changes to their line up whereas Brazil made their changes, came out of the blocks and had the US defeat inside 20 minutes. I think Brazil have more depth than anyone else and just seem to be able to pull a player from nowhere who could easily be in the starting lineup.

Spain don't really deal with expectation all that well so I wonder how much the pressure of the European Champions and number one ranked team in the world will take it's toll. If we have a Spain v Brazil final it could quite possibly be one of the greatest finals of all time.

Those are the obvious choices. I am not confident Germany can make too much of an impression at the tournament however this time they will be utilising their quality goalkeepers in Adler, Enke or Neuer and not that useless cushion Lehmann. Depth is the problem for them as an injury or two and a suspension here or there might cost them.

Argentina I still think could murder through the tournament and could do it just off Messi alone.

Australia, I feel, can get out of the group stage PROVIDED we have a 100% fit and ready squad to choose from. Despite the popular criticism, depth and NOT Verbeek is our main concern. An injury to Cahill could pretty much end our World Cup. I also believe we need a little more and I think Viduka would be that extra cog in our machine as McDonald is just rubbish.

The draw will be interesting and will give us a clearer picture.

What Viduka does more than Kennedy and McDonald is hold the ball up and bring the mid fielders, which is our strength into play.

McDonald is too small to do that.

Kennedy while tall and good in the air, doesnt hold the ball up anywhere near as well nor does he have half the skill on the ball as the big Duke.

 

[weasel]

Yeah, we can make it out of the group stages, but it all depends on the draw.

I'm sure the eight seeds will be:
South Africa (of course), Italy, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Argentina, England. Maybe Holland sneaks in there for one of them, but I doubt it. Given that, unless we get drawn in South Africa's group, then you're hoping you don't get Holland, Ivory Coast, Russia, maybe Chile, in your group, cuz it's gonna put you under a huge amount of pressure to beat at least one of those teams. I just hope the draw is kinder than last time.

 

[abpanther]

Why would Argentina get a seed, they are struggling to qualify as is

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

What Viduka does more than Kennedy and McDonald is hold the ball up and bring the mid fielders, which is our strength into play.

McDonald is too small to do that.

Kennedy while tall and good in the air, doesnt hold the ball up anywhere near as well nor does he have half the skill on the ball as the big Duke.

I am aware of what Viduka does. He's still overrated, though. When he is off he goes missing badly.

Kennedy would be a lot better if he had more leg muscle as he runs like he has a log strapped to his back. McDonald would be better if he played for another Nation.

 

[weasel]

Why would Argentina get a seed, they are struggling to qualify as is

lol, if Argentina qualify they will be seeded. They're still one of the top teams in the world on rankings, and anyway, FIFA has a bizarre way of choosing seeds for these tournaments, based on a combination of factors including past world cup success and current ranking. Unless they lose every game in CONMEBOL qualifying from now on, just scrape fifth, then just squeeze through on penalties in the play-off with the CONCACAF team, I really don't see that they can fall out of favour enough to miss a seed.

Of all the teams I listed I give France the biggest chance of not qualifying, and if that happens then I see Holland slotting nicely into the seeded group.

 

[WireMan]

As usual the poms will get wiped out early

Whats this hook thing in my mouth??

Us 'poms' will be there or there abouts like we always are. We always get knocked out on pens.

I feel the south american teams don't look as strong as in the past, the asian teams have no chance.

An outside bet would be an African team. If they are gonna win a World cup, this is there best chance.

I feel the final will be between to teams from Western Europe. You cannot ignore Italy. Germany is always strong, Spain look good.

Italy, Spain, England, Egypt. Semi final, depending on the draw of course.

 

[fish eel]

I am aware of what Viduka does. He's still overrated, though. When he is off he goes missing badly.

Kennedy would be a lot better if he had more leg muscle as he runs like he has a log strapped to his back. McDonald would be better if he played for another Nation.

Yeah, he does. When he is switched on though he can be lethal.

He is still a better option as a lone striker than both Kennedy and McDonald if he is fit and motivated.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Egypt have a very tough job just to qualify atm. So the Ivory Coast and especially Ghana are definately the Africans best chance of a Qtr Final run.

As for the rest, its very hard to go past Spain. They're so good Fabregas can't even make their starting line-up. They have the best two strikers in the world, the best creative midfielder in the world in Xavi, one of the top 2 or 3 wingers in the world in Iniesta, one of the best holding mids in the world with Senna and as i said Cesc and Xabi as back up. Not bad at all. The defense is obviously solid and Casillas is one of the top 2 keepers in the world. CLEAR favourites.

Behind them you have to look at Brazil, although it really is wide open with teams like Russia and even Chile deserving of consideration alongside the likes of Italy, Gerany, England, Argentina and the Dutch.

As usual i can't wait as there is no tournament in the world quite like it.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Italy desperately need some fresh blood. Rossi is a great start, but there are some tired, old players who should be moved on before WC2010. Sad, as they have given great service to the side, but I'd be dropping Toni, Gattuso, Zambrotta and Grosso.

There are some great players that have been left out by Lippi (Cassano, Pazzini etc.) and some very good youngsters in the U21s (Motta, Giovinco, Balotelli etc.) that should come in.

 

[pantherz9103]

Aside from us. I will be to happy to see Spain have a really strong campaign with all their Liverpool players. Italy don't look that good, I doubt they'll repeat their feats of 06.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Brazil dismantled a terribly ordinary Italy side, they have to be favourites a year out.

 

[aqua_duck]

to me spain has the best midfield, best strike combo, bes keeper, solid defence and a proven coach

 

[Bumble]

Imagine a group of Australia, England, Italy and New Zealand.

 

[Knightmare]

Would love to see Spain come up against Portugal and see the look on Ronaldo's face as Torres boots home the match winner!

Though in a perfect world:

a) Australia play Italy in the knock-out stages and win 2-1, with both of our goals coming from penalties and the last one coming in the last minute of injury time, or

b) Italy play Portugal in the knock-out stages, Ronaldo pulls his usual theatrics inside the goal-mouth with a minute left, the penalty is awarded and Italy are GOOOOORN! I think that would be the only time in my life I would ever like Cristiano.