The Official Fifa World Cup 2010 Thread

[BigHouseUSA]

The US are great at playing to their opponents level, so it should be interesting. There's really never an easy group in the World Cup, but to be honest, the US has no excuse at not making it out of theirs.

 

[davie]

The great, multi-title winning Spain got a piss easy draw too.

 

[jags224]

usa vs england.

 

[davie]

usa vs england.

Yes Dwight. Barring any major terrorist acts, a war, the US splitting up, the world ending then that game will happen next year.

 

[jags224]

let me see your dick ^

 

[Senser81]

Ivory Coast got another brutal draw. I think they were in the toughest group in 2006, and I think they are once again in the toughest group in 2010.

Serbia is in a tough group, too, but I think they could surprise this time around. For everyone saying that the US got an easy draw, I doubt the US wins a game. Slovenia and Algeria are pretty hard-nosed...I'd rather see the US up against Korea or South Africa.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

"Pretty hard-nosed" doesn't cut it when you're not very good.

I would rather see the US against any Asian team, but that was impossible, so this was pretty much the easiest draw we could've gotten.

 

[Senser81]

"Pretty hard-nosed" doesn't cut it when you're not very good.

I didn't know you had to be "good" to beat the US. I saw unskilled but tough teams defeat the US in qualifying. I guess its one of the better draws that the US could have gotten, but its by no means easy.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

It's the World Cup, so it's never going to be particularly "easy".

Qualifying's a different story, Central American teams are crazy to play against in their own country, CONCACAF Qualifying is by no means easy when you're going to play at the Azteca, San Jose, or the Estadio Olímpico. We already know what it's like to play in South Africa, so that'll help.

There's no other team I'd rather play out of Pot C or D.

My main point is, I think it's foolish that people expect the US to come out with 6 or 7 points from this group, but also equally as foolish to expect them to not win a game.

 

[Senser81]

My main point is, I think it's foolish that people expect the US to come out with 6 or 7 points from this group, but also equally as foolish to expect them to not win a game.

The US didn't win a game in 2006.

 

[davie]

The US didn't win a game in 2006.

Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic in 2006 is tougher than England, Algeria, Slovenia in 2010. I don't know if the US team are better or worse though.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

The US didn't win a game in 2006.

Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic in 2006 is tougher than England, Algeria, Slovenia in 2010. I don't know if the US team are better or worse though.

Certainly better. No more Eddie Pope, Convey, Beasley won't be there, let alone employed in a useless right wing role, Dempsey's improved a lot, and we've eased in Bradley, Feilhaber, Altidore, DeMerit, and quite a few other good solid young players.

On top of what Davie said, that was a much harder group.

 

[Tearz49ers]

Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic in 2006 is tougher than England, Algeria, Slovenia in 2010. I don't know if the US team are better or worse though.

You wont beat us, maybe you might get a draw but hands down you should beat Slovenia and Algeria. Like I said to another friend of mine how sad but sort of funny it would be if both the US and England go out leaving Algeria and Slovenai to progress.

 

[Senser81]

You wont beat us, maybe you might get a draw but hands down you should beat Slovenia and Algeria. Like I said to another friend of mine how sad but sort of funny it would be if both the US and England go out leaving Algeria and Slovenai to progress.

LOL at the comment "hands down the US should beat Slovenia and Algeria".

 

[Archer]

You wont beat us, maybe you might get a draw but hands down you should beat Slovenia and Algeria. Like I said to another friend of mine how sad but sort of funny it would be if both the US and England go out leaving Algeria and Slovenai to progress.

Davie is from England

Not sure who "us" is . Pressuming you are an England supporter also

And lol @ U.S.A beating Slovenia and Algeria hands down .

We (as in England) are normally slow starters in the group . Even in 2006 we struggled to get past Paraguay (og and they dominated most of the match) and T and T (two goals in the last 10mins) . I'm WAYYY more confident in Capello than any of our previous coaches though ...

 

[guchi45]

I dont think USA will go through. Algeria looks like a solid team, they Beat Egypt and Egypt made world cup possibly could of been best africian team their. They also won most african cups, wining back to back.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

I dont think USA will go through. Algeria looks like a solid team, they Beat Egypt and Egypt made world cup possibly could of been best africian team their. They also won most african cups, wining back to back.

Yeah, but the US beat Spain. Everyone arguing pro-Algeria always says that, but the US can play that card too.

 

[BigHouseUSA]

As this is the "Official" thread, I thought we could edit the first post with some more shit. I've edited a video of all the goals from the last WC, with music behind them we could embed in it. Along with maybe some predictions from some of the more well known soccer fans on the board (CB, BigPapa, etc.), and should probably update it with more in-depth info.

 

[calgaryballer]

Alright, might do a more detailed breakdown closer to the event, but here is how I see it shaking out.

Group A - S Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Well, South Africa is pretty much along for the ride. While they do have a modicum of talent in guys like Stevan Pienaar, they don't have the skill to match the rest of the group. Mexico is dangerous, with a nice mix of young and old. I'm a bit of a home for Uruguay, as I love Luis Suarez and his play with Ajax. France is the ultimate Jekyl and Hyde for this tourney. With Ribery, Gourcuff, Henry, etc healthy, they are a Top 6 team if they have their head straight. If not, could be another Euro style flameout

Prediction - France, Uruguay, Mexico, S Africa

Group B - Argentina, Nigeria, S Korea, Greece
The Argentinan's lucked into an easy draw, which I think they will need. For all the individual brilliance in the squad, Maradona's failure to pick a settled squad and propensity to pick shitty locally based players who "love the country" could backfire. Nigeria, one of the worlds most successful youth sides, will look to translate that into a dangerous run in the WC. They have a strong spine with Mikel, Yobo, Obi Martins and Yakubu, but could lack depth elsewhere. A weak keeper may keep them from a deep run.

S Korea will be industrious behind Park Ji Sung, but pose no real threat in my opinion. Greece, as always, will be well organized. Theofanis Gekas did lead the goal charts in qualifying, but so did David Healy (who?) in Euro qualifying. Not much has changed since their horrendous Euro showing, and I think last is likely.

Predictions - Argentina, Nigeria, S Korea, Greece,

Rest to come later

Group C - England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Another group that will likely go the way we expect, but could have some shocks. Under Capello, England have found a solidarity that was lacking under McLaren. The squad is thin IMO, and an injury to Rooney would devastate England's chances. The quest to find a #1 keeper that everyone can rely on is up in the air as well. The Americans are everyone's favorite for spot two, and I can't really find fault in that logic. They played well in CONCACAF qualifying and have a number of weapons.

Algeria and Slovenia are interesting spoilers. I think England will beat all three teams, so if one of these two can steal a win against the US and a point against the other, they will move on. I'd pick Slovenia to do that, but not confident enough to wager on it. There has to be a feel good country at the WC, and unfortunately for the US, that will be Slovenia

Prediction - England, Slovenia, USA, Algeria

Group D - Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
The real group of death IMO. From top to bottom, each team offers a lot of quality. Germany are my favorites to go through, and while they lack the individual star power of others, the unit always comes together. Weaknesses in the centre of defence do worry me, especially against pacey strikers, but they can over come that in the group. Australia, as much as I like the Socceroos, will likely finish bottom. Tim Cahill is a great player, and guys like Kewell and Neill offer some experience. Mark Schwarzer will need to carry over his Fulham form if they are to have a shot

Before the draw, I said Serbia was my darkhorse team. Then they got this group. Now they are in a dogfight for second. They are a team with a solid spine (Vidic, Stankovic, Pantelic/Jovanovic) but I don't know if it will be enough to get past the Black Stars. The combo of Appiah, Essien and Muntari will be a solid combo to work off for Ghana, and I think they'll be able to get the points for second

Prediction - Germany, Ghana, Serbia, Australia

 

[calgaryballer]

Part 2

Part 2

Alright, here is part two of my WC preview

Group E - Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
The Dutch were one of two teams to go undefeated in European qualifying. As always, they bring their sexy brand of football to a World Cup hoping to convert it to a trophy. As always, they will come up short. Their defence, while skilled offensively, isn't what champions are made of. Skeltenburg, Ooljer, Heitenga, etc will be great role players for their club, but won't lift the trophy. Which is too bad for a great offensive squad of Sneijder, Van Persie, van der Vaart, and Robben.

Denmark has some quality, and has really allowed Niklas Bendtner to show what he can do as a leading man, but I don't think it will be enough. Christian Poulsen can barely get a game at Juve and Agger isn't a consistent starter for Liverpool. Japan is a squad where the whole will have to equal more than the parts. Nakamura has always been a threat from free kicks, but they will need more than that to advance.

Any team with Samuel Eto'o in the squad will have a change to make some noise. Cameroon has that, and more. The emergence of Alex Song for Arsenal could be key to their chances, and gives them a very good midfield three with Mbia and Makoun. The defence has gotten old, which is their achilles heel.

Prediction - Holland, Cameroon, Denmark, Japan

Group F - Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Italy was gifted a draw here. And for a team that has struggled to find their 2006 winning form, that could be a godsend. Defensively solid, they lack the creative spark that could put them on another level.

Paraguay has some goal scorers in Santa Cruz and Cabanas, but most of the squad remains based in North/South America. Paulo da Silva has 67 caps for the country, but is struggling for a game at Sunderland. The defence will be where this country falls again.

New Zealand is a bye for the other countries. Slovakia though, has a very good core group of players. If Skrtel, Hamsik and Sestak can carry their qualifying form into the World Cup, I think they can pip Paraguay for second.

Prediction - Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, New Zealand