Quote:
Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf
I think the bottom half seems stronger because you have South Africa advancing, they were in group 1 yes but France are favorites in that group. Even with their struggles. I don't think South Africa go through, I hate going against the home nation but South Africa are very very bad, couldn't even qualify for the upcoming Africa cup of Nations.
And North Korea get blown out of the water, those other three teams know that it probly comes down to goal differential and will be going all offense against them. They did well in the asian group but that is like saying a 3rd division team in England like Macclesfield town is going to be able to get a draw against Man U or Chelsea because they only allowed 5 goals in 14 games against a bunch of other 3rd division teams.
The step up in class is going to be just too much for them. I would assume they go 0-3 with something like a -13 goal differential
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Even with France the top half still seems weaker.
North Korea will be ok.. it won't be -13. World football is pretty balanced these days. The so-called little countries have done well in recent World Cups with only the odd blowout here and there.
Even Canada only gave up 6 goals once upon a time
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
The thing is that even when France and Portugal are playing terrible, they are at worst on par with teams such as Slovenia and the other pool D teams. However, the fact is that they have the potential, and the individual talent, to upset you especially when it is just one game and to improve their form and be a force.
To play these teams off as terrible and to state that teams would rather face France or Portugal, then say Slovakia is just ridiculous. Teams like Portugal and France that have the talent can catch fire and chemistry and go far, as opposed to the teams that have to play their system perfect at all times to win.
Especially in a sport where even though they are playing terrible in qualifying this year, a lot can change in the next seven months before the tournament starts. We saw an England team that didn't qualify for Euro 08, go on to dominate qualifying in 09, an Italian team that was not playing their best soccer before WC 06 (and have been disappointing since), catch fire and win the World Cup.
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Agreed. I think the word you're looking for is pedigree.