World Cup Preview- Group B
After looking at Group A last week, TEENage continues our preview of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This week, we look at Group B. With former two-time champion, a former European champion as well as area champions from across the world in the mix Group B certainly could prove to be one of the most interesting groups in this World Cup.
Argentina
Brief History: Perennial favourites Argentina are at the World Cup after battling through a tough CONMEBOL qualifying campaign. That, however, might argue well for the team as the last time they had difficulty qualifying they went on to win the competition. Having made the finals on four separate occasions, Argentina definitely knows what it takes to win the sport’s most prestigious title. Many-time South American champions, this team has over the years proven their mettle at the highest level.
World Cup Appearances: Argentina are making their 10th consecutive and 20th overall appearance at World Cup.
World Cup Wins: Argentina have won two World Cups, 1978 and 1986.
How they made it: After a topsy-turvy qualifying campaign that threatened to see them not qualify for the competition, it came down to their final match with Uruguay, and a single goal from Mario Bolatti in the 83rd minute was all they needed to go through. They qualified for he final fourth spot given to the CONMEBOL teams.
Key Players: Forwards Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), and Midfielder Javier Mascherano (Liverpool FC).
Coach: Diego Armando Maradona
Strengths: No team in the World Cup can boast an attack as potent as the Argentinean line-up. With the trio od Diego Milito, Tevez and Lionel Messi they will strike fear in the heart of any defender. With the likes of Sergio “Kun”Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain coming off the bench, goals should be the least of their worries.
Weaknesses: Coach Maradona’s tendency to rely on his local players over more experienced and touted European-based players might be an issue. Also, the fact that they lack creativity in the midfield might just weaken the potent arsenal.
Expected Finish: Argentina should find it easy to make it through this group with the pedigree they possess. A semi-final or final berth is foreseeable for this squad if all goes according to plan for them.
South Korea
Brief History: Korea is the most successful team from Asia in World Cup history. Having made their first World Cup in 1954. They have consistently made it to the competition since then but have found winning hard to come by until 2002 when they were co-hosts. At the time, the team defeated top teams such as Portugal, Spain and Italy to make it to the semi-finals.
World Cup Appearances: Korea is appearing in their eighth World Cup.
World Cup Wins: They have never won the World Cup. Their best ever finish was in 2002 when they made it to the semi-finals
How they made it: South Korea qualified for the World Cup by topping their Asian final Group B qualifying round with 16 points. A third consecutive draw with North Korea as well as wins over Saudi Arabia away (their first win against them in 19 years) and United Arab Emirates highlighted their campaign.
Key Players: Midfielders Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United), Chung Yong- Lee (Bolton Wanderers) and Forward Park Chu-Young (AS Monaco)
Coach: Huh Jung-Moo
Strengths: The ability of this team to unite and play together is simply uncanny. Their captain Park Ji-Sung has always been able to rally his comrades and snatch a result from the most unlikely circumstances.
Weaknesses: Their resilience aside, this team lacks quality to offer a sustained challenge for the duration of the competition.
Expected Finish: As was previously stated, a lot of luck is needed for this team to navigate what could be a tough group for them. If they make it out of the first round it will be difficult to avoid a meeting with Mexico or France.
Nigeria
Brief History: South Africa 2010 will be Nigeria’s fourth World Cup appearance. They made their World Cup debut in 1994 in the United States, impressing with wins against Bulgaria and Greece and a narrow defeat to Argentina where they reached the second round by playing an attractive attacking style of football. They missed out on a fourth consecutive finals appearance in 2006 after finishing second in qualifying to Angola. They lay 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings.
World Cup Appearances: They made made three previous appearances at the World Cup
How they made it: Nigeria narrowly scraped through to their fourth finals, though many were surprised at how they laboured after advancing from the opening qualifying round with a 100% win record. They dramatically defeated Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi on the final day to book their ticket to the finals.
Key players: Midfielder Jon Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Strikers Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton), Osaze Odemwinge (Locomotiv Moscow)
Coach: Lars Laberback
Strengths: Attacking play has been the trademark of Nigerian football. The team is blessed with several top-rated strikers such as Yakubu (Everton), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg) and steely midfielder Jon Obi Mikel.
Weakness: The defence has proved to be the Achilles’ heel of this team. The coaches are yet to find a fine combination in the middle of the back four. Everton’s Joseph Yobo has played alongside Danny Shittu, Dele Adeleye and Obinna Nwaneri, but there is still no ideal pairing in sight yet.
Expected Finish: With one of the pre-tournament favourites and former champions Argentina in the group, second spot is up for grabs. However, Nigeria will fancy their chances as they have the support of the twelfth man behind them.
Greece
Brief History: Greece qualified for the 1994 World Cup by topping their qualification group ahead of Russia, and much was expected at their first ever finals. However, their debut ended in disaster after they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 4-0 to Bulgaria and 2-0 to Nigeria, exiting without a point or even a goal scored.
World Cup Appearances: This will b there second appearance at a World Cup
World Cup wins: Greece has never managed to win a game or score a goal in their only appearance of the finals.
How they made it: Despite the exploits of star striker Theofanis Gekas, the top scorer in UEFA qualifying with 10 goals, the Greeks’ World Cup dreams hung in the balance. They were consigned to a play-off with Group Six runners-up Ukraine. After a 0-0 draw in Athens, Salpigidis scored a goal on the counter in Donetsk which was enough to send Greece to the World Cup.
Key Players: Midfielder Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), defender Sotirios Kyriakos (Liverpool), Strikers Theofanis Gekas and Georgios Samaras (Celtic)
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Strengths: Greece has been accused of being one of the most boring and anti-football teams ever, but their biggest strength lies in their solid defence.
Weakness: When it comes to creative football, Greece is found wanting. The only attacking plan is to wait for a set piece so someone can jump to the ball and send it home.
Expected Finish: It is idiotic to expect a Euro 2004 success story, therefore, advancing from the group stage will be good enough for them.