Argentina would naturally be the favourites, but with Diego Maradona in charge you can not be sure.
Key men: Argentina have the best player in the world, and more. Lionel Messi has been unplayable this season, Carlos Tevez has had one of his best ever seasons. Not to forget Gonzalo Higuain and Maradona's son-in-law Sergio Aguero. Their squad is full of quality.
Story of qualifying: It was a strange one. They looked for a bit like they might not, Maradona looked clueless and his use of over seventy players while in charge wasn't helping his team's spirit. They sneaked through though, with winners from Palermo and Bolatti giving them two crucial wins in the final two games.
How will they do?: Despite their manager being completely insane, I think they have too many talented players not to get past the group stages. Even if the likes of Messi do not produce, they have many other players to rely on. 1st
Key men: Nigeria have quite a few English based players. Yakubu is a threat up front, Mikel will run the midfield and they have Joseph Yobo will marshall the defence. They have the lightning paced Obafemi Martins, who also played in the Premier League.
Story of qualifying: Nigeria topped their group by a point, finishing above Tunisia. They qualified in dramatic fashion. They had to win their last game against Kenya. They came back from behind, then lost that lead with ten minutes left but Martins scored to put them through,.
How will they do: They have some good players, and have the spirit. I think if they perform to their best abilities they can go through but I don't think they will. 3rd
Key men: The Korean's will look to Manchester United's Park Ji-sung, he will be their magic man. Ex-Wolves man Seol Ki-Hyeon will miss the world cup after a knee operation, but they have Bolton's winger Lee Chung-Yong who was excellent this season.
Story of qualifying: They qualified easily. They won their group to qualify for the eighth world cup appearance that contained arch rivals North Korea.
How will they do?: This is quite an open group, and I think they can finish in the top two if not win it. 2rd
Key men: Theofanis Gekas was the only player to beat Wayne Rooney's nine goal tally with ten goals. They have their inspirational midfielder Giorgos Karagounis who was their star player when they won Euro 2004. Celtic man Samaras will be Greece's other option up front.
Story of Qualifying: They were the top seed in their group, but failed to finish top. They were forced to beat Ukraine in the play offs,.they won one nil on aggregate in two very tight games.
How will they do?: Manager Otto Rehhagel will try to make them hard to beat. They have an ageing squad, and I think they will offer little in the tournament. 4th
Argentina and Korea to qualify. I do think that the second place will be a close one between Korea and Nigeria though.
Maradona ain't got a clue!
ReplyDeleteKoreans and Nigeria to go through.
Shame Seol ain't palying too, would lhave loved to see him play in that invisible role once more.
Nigeria and the Argies for me though I wouldn't be surprised to see Diego's team struggle despite their array of world class talents if only because the coach is so obviously stark staring bonkers
ReplyDeleteI think nigeria would surprise people, i see nigeria and argentina. If u think the likes of korea and greece would beat nigeria on a good day, you lie!
ReplyDeleteAre you Nigerian, Anonymous?
ReplyDeleteI think Argentina will struggle to get second, let alone first and I think that it will be S.Korea and Nigeria who goes through.