FIFA Ranking- 20
Group B
The Super Eagles did not lose during qualifying in Africa, but still did not turn too many heads with ill timed draws, and listless performances. They bring a team with some big names notably John Obi Mikel, who will try and be like Obi Wan and guide his team through the group stage. The eagles also have some attacking options with one of the most celebrated African soccer players in Nwankwo Kanu and also Obafemi Martins. They have a solid starting 11 and an above average bench, which could be key for them if they are to advance out of their group. It all depends which team shows up, the Super Eagles or as they are sometimes know the Super Chickens only time will tell.
Friday, May 28, 2010
No. 20- Ghana
FIFA Ranking- 32
Group D
The Black Stars may be less talked about than the Ivory Coast or South Africa as African teams at the World Cup, but they have had the most recent success. At the 2006 World Cup Ivory Coast was the African team that held the hopes of a continent, but it was Ghana as the only team from Africa still alive in the round of 16. This year they find themselves in the second toughest group, and it will be a battle for them to repeat their success. They have the quality in midfield with Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, and even without them they placed 2nd at the African Cup of nations in the winter. They will need to find goals from some place to make it to the knockout stage, and it will be a struggle.
Group D
The Black Stars may be less talked about than the Ivory Coast or South Africa as African teams at the World Cup, but they have had the most recent success. At the 2006 World Cup Ivory Coast was the African team that held the hopes of a continent, but it was Ghana as the only team from Africa still alive in the round of 16. This year they find themselves in the second toughest group, and it will be a battle for them to repeat their success. They have the quality in midfield with Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, and even without them they placed 2nd at the African Cup of nations in the winter. They will need to find goals from some place to make it to the knockout stage, and it will be a struggle.
No. 21 Paraguay
FIFA Ranking- 30
Group F
Paraguay usually is overlooked in their region with teams like Brazil and Argentina taking most of the spotlight, while they have made some noise in competition, but this year could be different. Finding themselves in the easiest group in the World Cup they have their chance to shed their image as little brother. During qualifying they beat Brazil by the score of 2-0 and also beat and tied Argentina, two accomplishments they are looking to build on. If they get consistent midfield play they have the defense and strike force that can take them to the knockout stage maybe even win their group, but then again I wouldn't be surprised if they underachieved. Something is telling me that they will turn some heads.
Group F
Paraguay usually is overlooked in their region with teams like Brazil and Argentina taking most of the spotlight, while they have made some noise in competition, but this year could be different. Finding themselves in the easiest group in the World Cup they have their chance to shed their image as little brother. During qualifying they beat Brazil by the score of 2-0 and also beat and tied Argentina, two accomplishments they are looking to build on. If they get consistent midfield play they have the defense and strike force that can take them to the knockout stage maybe even win their group, but then again I wouldn't be surprised if they underachieved. Something is telling me that they will turn some heads.
No. 22 Switzerland
FIFA Ranking- 26
Group H
Switzerlad will be trying to capitalize on the success they found in Germany last World Cup. There they won their group with France, Togo, and North Korea but after that their offense sputtered and they lost to the Ukraine in the round of 16. During qualifying they topped their group again, one of the easier groups in qualifying, but still it is an accomplishment. Well that was the good they also have a bad side, one so bad that they lost to Luxembourg at home during qualifying, no team that wants to advance far should lose to Luxembourg at home. To me they are in a transition stage waiting for their younger players who made names for themselves at the U-17 World Cup, when they went undefeated and won. They may be ready in 2014, but not this year sorry Spain should carve up their defense and make them Swiss cheese, and why yes they was cheesy.
Group H
Switzerlad will be trying to capitalize on the success they found in Germany last World Cup. There they won their group with France, Togo, and North Korea but after that their offense sputtered and they lost to the Ukraine in the round of 16. During qualifying they topped their group again, one of the easier groups in qualifying, but still it is an accomplishment. Well that was the good they also have a bad side, one so bad that they lost to Luxembourg at home during qualifying, no team that wants to advance far should lose to Luxembourg at home. To me they are in a transition stage waiting for their younger players who made names for themselves at the U-17 World Cup, when they went undefeated and won. They may be ready in 2014, but not this year sorry Spain should carve up their defense and make them Swiss cheese, and why yes they was cheesy.
No. 23 Slovenia
FIFA Ranking- 23
Group C
Slovenia to me could surprise some people, they have no big names on their team but they play tough defense. Their defense was what got them to the World Cup allowing only 4 goals in 10 qualifying matches they made a name for themselves in Europe. Now at the World Cup they face a tough England team along with the U.S. and Algeria. To advance they will need to find some attacking power to go along with their defense, as the smallest nation in the World Cup make their home country proud, but in reality not happening the English speaking teams in the group should advance.
Group C
Slovenia to me could surprise some people, they have no big names on their team but they play tough defense. Their defense was what got them to the World Cup allowing only 4 goals in 10 qualifying matches they made a name for themselves in Europe. Now at the World Cup they face a tough England team along with the U.S. and Algeria. To advance they will need to find some attacking power to go along with their defense, as the smallest nation in the World Cup make their home country proud, but in reality not happening the English speaking teams in the group should advance.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
No. 24 Denmark
FIFA Ranking- 35
Group E
Denmark is kind of a mystery to me I don't think they are that good, but they topped their group in qualifying and Portugal was in that group. So I had trouble placing them in my rankings, but I went with my gut and had them a little lower. I feel they don't have the attacking power to compete, and while their defense may help some I don't see them strong enough or young enough to deal with the quicker and stronger teams in their group. And with their number one striking option Nicklas Bendtner, who can get hot, can also go missing and make little impact for the 90 minutes. They should get at least one win with Japan in their group but I don't see them knocking off the Netherlands or Cameroon.
Group E
Denmark is kind of a mystery to me I don't think they are that good, but they topped their group in qualifying and Portugal was in that group. So I had trouble placing them in my rankings, but I went with my gut and had them a little lower. I feel they don't have the attacking power to compete, and while their defense may help some I don't see them strong enough or young enough to deal with the quicker and stronger teams in their group. And with their number one striking option Nicklas Bendtner, who can get hot, can also go missing and make little impact for the 90 minutes. They should get at least one win with Japan in their group but I don't see them knocking off the Netherlands or Cameroon.
No. 25 Algeria
FIFA Ranking 31
Group C
The Desert Foxes may be ranked a little low and I may be underestimating them, but what the heck they are my rankings. Algeria qualified by beating Egypt in a playoff game in a heated affair between bitter rivals, and they also beat Ivory Coast 3-2 in the African Cup of Nations. While these wins may look pretty impressive on a resume they aren't fooling me, they are too inconsistent with also bad loses on their resume too, so while they could put it all together for a game or two I don't see them getting it together for an extended run past their group.
Group C
The Desert Foxes may be ranked a little low and I may be underestimating them, but what the heck they are my rankings. Algeria qualified by beating Egypt in a playoff game in a heated affair between bitter rivals, and they also beat Ivory Coast 3-2 in the African Cup of Nations. While these wins may look pretty impressive on a resume they aren't fooling me, they are too inconsistent with also bad loses on their resume too, so while they could put it all together for a game or two I don't see them getting it together for an extended run past their group.
No. 26 Slovakia
FIFA Ranking- 38
Group F
Yes this is the first group with two teams this low in the ranking, and according to my group rankings (to be posted as the tournament gets closer) the worst group in the tournament. While they are ranked this low and the first European team to appear on my rankings it doesnt mean they won't make a splash, to me any team that qualifys out of Europe is a threat to make noise. An interesting note is that this is their first major tournament since seperating from the Czechs making them hungry to let the world know who they are. They have experience and youth mixed well and knocked Russia out of qualifying in the playoff stage making them a threat to finish in the top two in this weaker group and make a name for themselves.
Group F
Yes this is the first group with two teams this low in the ranking, and according to my group rankings (to be posted as the tournament gets closer) the worst group in the tournament. While they are ranked this low and the first European team to appear on my rankings it doesnt mean they won't make a splash, to me any team that qualifys out of Europe is a threat to make noise. An interesting note is that this is their first major tournament since seperating from the Czechs making them hungry to let the world know who they are. They have experience and youth mixed well and knocked Russia out of qualifying in the playoff stage making them a threat to finish in the top two in this weaker group and make a name for themselves.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
No. 27 Honduras
FIFA Ranking- 40
Group H
Honduras is one of the luckiest teams to even be in the World Cup after beating El Salvador 1-0 on the last day of qualifying they needed a U.S. tie against Costa Rica, with the U.S. down 2-1 in stoppage time it looked bad for Honduras, until Jonathan Bornstein headed in the game tying goal sending Honduras to the World Cup. That is about all the luck they will have, while their line-up is not that bad shaky goal keeping will be their downfall, not to mention better teams in their group.
Group H
Honduras is one of the luckiest teams to even be in the World Cup after beating El Salvador 1-0 on the last day of qualifying they needed a U.S. tie against Costa Rica, with the U.S. down 2-1 in stoppage time it looked bad for Honduras, until Jonathan Bornstein headed in the game tying goal sending Honduras to the World Cup. That is about all the luck they will have, while their line-up is not that bad shaky goal keeping will be their downfall, not to mention better teams in their group.
No. 28- Japan
FIFA Ranking- 45
Group E
The Blue Samurai find themselves toward the bottom of my rankings, and I am not expecting much of them. I think they are older and will not have the defense to deal with the bigger stronger attacks of their group mates. I see them placing last in their group and hardly making much of a dent, maybe next World Cup because really there isn't much competition in their region.
Group E
The Blue Samurai find themselves toward the bottom of my rankings, and I am not expecting much of them. I think they are older and will not have the defense to deal with the bigger stronger attacks of their group mates. I see them placing last in their group and hardly making much of a dent, maybe next World Cup because really there isn't much competition in their region.
Monday, May 24, 2010
No. 29- South Africa
FIFA Ranking- 90
Group A
Well well South Africa the host nation, if I were ranking team nicknames they would be toward the top I mean Bafana Bafanas pretty cool name huh. Oh yeah soccer well they qualified because they are the host nation, and are ranked pretty low by FIFA, but they do have some talent with Steven Pienaar and Benni McCarthy, but otherwise not much, I don't see them doing much, but I will say they are the hosts. Rarely does the host nation not make it out of their group so really I have them this low but expect them to make a run. Playing in front of a home crowd will help and maybe those annoying horns that everyone blows at the games will help who knows you may see the Bafana Bafanas in the knockout stage.
Group A
Well well South Africa the host nation, if I were ranking team nicknames they would be toward the top I mean Bafana Bafanas pretty cool name huh. Oh yeah soccer well they qualified because they are the host nation, and are ranked pretty low by FIFA, but they do have some talent with Steven Pienaar and Benni McCarthy, but otherwise not much, I don't see them doing much, but I will say they are the hosts. Rarely does the host nation not make it out of their group so really I have them this low but expect them to make a run. Playing in front of a home crowd will help and maybe those annoying horns that everyone blows at the games will help who knows you may see the Bafana Bafanas in the knockout stage.
No. 30- South Korea
FIFA Ranking- 47
Group B
The Taeguk Warriors as they are called, no idea what that means, were one of the first teams to qualify and did so without a loss. This is an impressive accomplishment no matter what region, but something about them doesn't impress me. Yes they had a good cup in 2002 but that could be credited to home field advantage, and I see their performance at this World Cup to be more like 2006 where they finished 4th place in their group and quickly exited. They can take pride that they are ranked ahead of North Korea on my list I know they all read it mean it's pretty cool oh and SPORTS.
Group B
The Taeguk Warriors as they are called, no idea what that means, were one of the first teams to qualify and did so without a loss. This is an impressive accomplishment no matter what region, but something about them doesn't impress me. Yes they had a good cup in 2002 but that could be credited to home field advantage, and I see their performance at this World Cup to be more like 2006 where they finished 4th place in their group and quickly exited. They can take pride that they are ranked ahead of North Korea on my list I know they all read it mean it's pretty cool oh and SPORTS.
No. 31- North Korea
FIFA Ranking- 106
Group G
North Korea is ranked the lowest out of all World Cup teams in FIFA's rankings, but I don't have them last because of one thing and that is because no one really knows much about them. It is their first World Cup since 1966, and most of their players play professionally in North Korea meaning nobody watches them. They are in what many people call the group of death and are the worst team in it, they also are the lowest ranked team in the tournament but because they are a mystery to many teams they could suprise some people and not lose by 5 to Brazil, still they aren't good.
Group G
North Korea is ranked the lowest out of all World Cup teams in FIFA's rankings, but I don't have them last because of one thing and that is because no one really knows much about them. It is their first World Cup since 1966, and most of their players play professionally in North Korea meaning nobody watches them. They are in what many people call the group of death and are the worst team in it, they also are the lowest ranked team in the tournament but because they are a mystery to many teams they could suprise some people and not lose by 5 to Brazil, still they aren't good.
No. 32- New Zealand
Fifa Rank- 78
Group F
Called The All Whites New Zealand would have better prospects if this was the Rugby World Cup, remember Invictus they had that huge guy no one but Matt Damon could tackle, how do they even play rugby I think it's weird just play football ok off topic. Ok this isn't rugby its soccer so they find themselves at the bottom of my rankings, to qualify they really didn't have to do much since Australia is no longer in their region they had to beat teams like Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia I didn't even know there was an old Caledonia. Anyway I think they are no good and their group isn't that tough to me but they won't make much noise so 1 down 31 to go.
Group F
Called The All Whites New Zealand would have better prospects if this was the Rugby World Cup, remember Invictus they had that huge guy no one but Matt Damon could tackle, how do they even play rugby I think it's weird just play football ok off topic. Ok this isn't rugby its soccer so they find themselves at the bottom of my rankings, to qualify they really didn't have to do much since Australia is no longer in their region they had to beat teams like Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia I didn't even know there was an old Caledonia. Anyway I think they are no good and their group isn't that tough to me but they won't make much noise so 1 down 31 to go.
World Cup
So I know everyone likes SPORTS, and I get bored so I decided to make a blog to follow the 2010 World Cup since it doesn't start until June 11th I'll start with ranking the teams from 32 to 1 ending the day before the tournament starts. Yeah I might not know what I'm talking about totally but we will see how it goes. I will try and catch up on the teams and rank them one a day so if anyone reads this check back once and a while to see whats up oh and SPORTS.
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