2006 World Cup Predictions
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by user Thecrookedcap
This time tomorrow we'll have two games completed in the World Cup. It's high time to make a few predictions about what will be happen in Germany in the next month's time.
Group A
- Germany
- Costa Rica
- Poland
- Ecuador
Despite Michael Ballack's injury which will keep him out of the opener with Costa Rica, look for the host team to breeze through the group stage. Host nations have never flunked out of the tournament in the history of the WOrld Cup, and with a lightweight group the same should happen here. Costa Rica is a team I think can challenge; They burst through the gates in the second half of CONCACAF qualifying.
I don't understand the Ecuador hype that many of the American writers have. They're main ticket to qualification is the high elevation of Quito, and their away record was atrocious. If you need a little historical evidence look no further than the Mexicans, who have never gone far in the Cup despite making the field so many times. That's because they play their home matches at Estadio Azteca, a high elevation stadium that is hard to adjust to for much of the rest of the continent.
Group B
- England
- Sweden
- Paraguay
- Trinidad & Tobago
England will have Wayne Rooney in shape for the matches, although I think he won't be at 100% of his potential. Still, they're the class of the group. Sweden and Paraguay should be a tough battle for second place. Although they're very confident, Trinidad & Tobago really should be pleased to be only the fourth Caribbean nation to be here and one of the most unlikely finalists. The Soca Warriors will be spoilers at best.
Group C
- Argentina
- Netherlands
- Cote d'Ivoire
- Serbia & Montenegro
There's a huge debate as to whether Group C or Group E is the best in the tournament. No matter what your opinion is, some really deserving teams will be out after 3 games. Argentina are very skilled, and Messi could be a breakout star. Surely they'll be wanting to make up for their last Group of Death showing in Japan where they lost out to England and Sweden. While the Dutch unis will make them look like traffic cones runnning around on the pitch, they have plenty of big names like van Nistlerooy and Robben and the back of those bright orange jerseys that will make them a challenge. No matter whether you call them Cote d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast, you should call them good. They are the best African team here (especially since making the finals at the African Cup of Nations only to lose to hosts Egypt), and could pull of the upset of the highly ranked Dutch. And in a last gasp before the whole Yugoslavian union is finally broken up completely we have Serbia & Montenegro. They have an uphill climb in this group to make it to the round of 16.
Group D
- Portugal
- Mexico
- Iran
- Angola
The Portugese should have a nice handle on the group. They have the big names, but are in a bit of a transition as the old guard (Luis Figo) is finishing up a career while the young guns like Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco are making names for themselves. Mexico has some stars, but they'll probably just end up losing in the round of 16 like they usually do. The Iranians have a slim chance of upsetting the top 2 in the group. Meanwhile, the Angola squad are probably the least regarded in the entire tournament. Things don't look good for them after the crashed out at the African Cup of Nations this year.
Group E
- Czech Republic
- United States
- Italy
- Ghana
For me, this is the toughest call as an American who wants to see his team go far. However, I think they have a better chance then people give them. A good chance for a surprise result will come in their Italian game. It is the "home" game for the U.S., as Kaiserslautern is the home of the Ramstein Air Force Base. A strong American presence could make them feel German for a day.
The Italians have a huge mental monkey on their backs with the match fixing scandal in Serie A in the press. This is even harder considering that all the Azzurri's players come from the Serie A teams, include 4 from Juventus, the center of the scandal. That could either make them play harder or break them. I'll take the distraction as being too much to handle.
Czech Republic poses an interesting challenge, having no real WC results to show. Even the great Pavel Nedved has never played a match in the Finals. This is a team that can score with a great goalie to boot.
The real shame of the World Cup draw is that the two African teams I think had the best chance to advance are both in the hardest groups. The Black Stars are a certain challenge for all their opponents.
Group F
- Brazil
- Australia
- Croatia
- Japan
Brazil is to the World Cup as Duke is to March Madness or the Yankees to the World Series. It's harder to ever pick against them. Particularly with the world best player, Ronaldinho, who when on his game plays lives up to soccer's nickname "the Beautiful Game." They'll be especially tough if Ronaldo can play like he did last go-around, when he was leading scorer.
Japan is an interesting storyline to go up against the world champs, with Brazilian great Zico on the sidelines and an ex-pat Alex on the field. It will be tough to duplicate their result from 2002, when they had home field.
Australia finally makes a second World Cup, and will be out to prove themselves. They are interesting matched against Croatia, as many of the Aussies are of Croatian descent. The match between the two nations will probably decided second place.
Group G
- Switzerland
- France
- South Korea
- Togo
France was dealt a blow with Cisse's injury. However, they'll still be hard to beat unless the story "Henry Breaks Leg" comes up in the next two weeks. The Arsenal striker is certainly one of the top 5 players in the world at any position. That's territory Zinedine Zidane has been in for much of his storied career, but now he's on one last competition before retiring for good.
But the surprise at the top will be Switzerland, who frustrated the French in both their qualifying matches for the World Cup, in which neither team lost a single match. Look for it to come down to goal difference and the Swiss to come out in first.
Group H
- Ukraine
- Spain
- Tunisia
- Saudi Arabia
The big question of the group: Will Spain finally not underachieve? That will decide whether they win this group or make it in second place. Ukraine play an ugly style of football despite the presence of all-world strike Andriy Shevchenko, now of Chelsea. They'll contend for the win.
Round of 16
Germany defeat Sweden
Argentina defeat Mexico
Czech Republic defeat Australia
Spain defeat Switzerland
England defeat Costa Rica
Netherlands defeat Portugal
Brazil defeat United States
France defeat Ukraine
Quarterfinals
Argentina defeat Germany
Czech Republic defeat Spain
Netherlands defeat England
Brazil defeat France
Semifinals
Argentina defeat Czech Republic
Brazil defeat Netherlands
Final
Brazil defeat Argentina, 3-1.
Date
Thu 06/08/06, 1:18 pm EST
