Road to South Africa World Cup 2010

[arloiginla]

So if the top 2 in Group D will play the top 2 in group C in the second round. How does the tournmanet seed after that?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

A lot of teams are hoping for neither France nor Portugal in their group.

Why? They're horrible.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Addick

Confidence is really high over here, not sure why but they seem to have a good feeling about this summer. Personally, I'd love to see them win as I'm close to party central and would have to walk through the Portuguese part of town to get there.

It usually is though. Perhaps, this time, it is warranted but, let's face it, we (England) have not had much success in most of our lifetime's to expect too much from the National team.

I'll be cheering them on, no matter what.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

Why? They're horrible.

So is your knowledge of the game.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

So is your knowledge of the game.

I'm sorry, I'll have to defer to the blindly faithful Portuguese man...

France qualified, barely, against Ireland and Portugal has been absolutely underwhelming at every turn also, barely qualifying. Neither team was in a particularly talented group and both were slotted as favourites.

I'm sorry, I forgot that Portugal was missing Ronaldo....for the tail end of their campaign when they actually improved enough to qualify by the skin of their teeth, when they couldnt beat Denmark or Albania to save their lives.

Remember the 0-0 draw against Albania? Ronaldo was there for that. How about the 2, 0-0 draws against Sweden? Yup, you guessed it, he was there for both of those too.

Thats not to say that Portugal dont have quality players, they do, well, the Brazilians that play for Portugal are pretty good, the actual Portuguese....not so much...

Sure, maybe Portugal can turn it around and find some success during the tournament, they have the talent to do it, but, quite frankly, I wouldnt have much faith in a team that struggled against teams like Albania, Sweden and Denmark, teams that were ranked 98th, 22nd and 42nd respectively but, what? What is your contention? That they are more likely to win against teams ranked 2nd and 16th to get to the group stage?

Oh well, look at me telling you, the all knowing football guru these minor trifles. I'm sure you already know all of this.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Locke

Why? They're horrible.

As horrible as they are, it means having a harder group that say, having Serbia or Slovenia in your group, that's why.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

As horrible as they are, it means having a harder group that say, having Serbia or Slovenia in your group, that's why.

Based on recent performances that's not necessarily true.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

So if the top 2 in Group D will play the top 2 in group C in the second round. How does the tournmanet seed after that?

Here's the bracket.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html

Assuming it's chalk and the top seeds win their groups:

South Africa (A) VS B2
England (C) VS D2
Holland (E) VS F2
Brazil (G) VS H2

would be the top half

Argentina (B) VS A2
Germany (D) VS C2
Italy (F) VS E2
Spain (H) VS G2

would be the bottom half

Bottom half seems stronger at the moment.

If you finish 2nd you move to the other side of the draw.

Some juicy 2nd round matches possible like

England-Ghana
France-Nigeria
Argentina-Mexico
Spain-Portugal
Italy-Denmark

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

will be fun to see every team run up the score on North Korea though for the goal differential

North Korea are very strong defensively. They only gave up a total of 5 goals in 14 games of Asian qualifying. (Yes I realize that Asian qualifying isn't the strongest in the world).
So I don't think they will be blown out of the water and could provide a surprise. Perhaps the team that draws North Korea will be the one eliminated.

[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.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Here's the bracket.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html

Assuming it's chalk and the top seeds win their groups:

South Africa (A) VS B2
England (C) VS D2
Holland (E) VS F2
Brazil (G) VS H2

would be the top half

Argentina (B) VS A2
Germany (D) VS C2
Italy (F) VS E2
Spain (H) VS G2

would be the bottom half

Bottom half seems stronger at the moment.

If you finish 2nd you move to the other side of the draw.

Some juicy 2nd round matches possible like

England-Ghana
France-Nigeria
Argentina-Mexico
Spain-Portugal
Italy-Denmark



North Korea are very strong defensively. They only gave up a total of 5 goals in 14 games of Asian qualifying. (Yes I realize that Asian qualifying isn't the strongest in the world).
So I don't think they will be blown out of the water and could provide a surprise. Perhaps the team that draws North Korea will be the one eliminated.

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

[arloiginla]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Here's the bracket.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html

Assuming it's chalk and the top seeds win their groups:

South Africa (A) VS B2
England (C) VS D2
Holland (E) VS F2
Brazil (G) VS H2

would be the top half

Argentina (B) VS A2
Germany (D) VS C2
Italy (F) VS E2
Spain (H) VS G2

Man, a Germany-Argentina quarterfinal could happen.

Tough sledding for the Manschafft this time around but I wonder if one were to look at the history of the tournament if the teams that had a tougher group stage do better later on.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Locke

France qualified, barely, against Ireland

South Africa would be a lot more fun with the Irish.

[Cactus Jack]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Well that was interesting. England got a pretty favourable draw in my opinion. Group D appears to be the "group of death." Portugal will be in tough against Brazil and Ivory Coast. Spain and Italy have cream puff groups.

They may not be power houses but I was happy to see my Chile go in H. Spain is obviously the class of the group but I like Chile's chances to finish second in the group and advance over Switzerland and Honduras. Of course, that would likey create an unfavourable 2nd round matchup against Brazil and will cost me dinner to the future Mrs. Cactus Jack but that's ok.

If you haven't seen much of Chile, I recommend you do. They are well coached, young team that plays a constantly attacking style. VIVA CHILE, MIERDA!!!! VAMOS

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

They may not be power houses but I was happy to see my Chile go in H. Spain is obviously the class of the group but I like Chile's chances to finish second in the group and advance over Switzerland and Honduras. Of course, that would likey create an unfavourable 2nd round matchup against Brazil and will cost me dinner to the future Mrs. Cactus Jack but that's ok.

If you haven't seen much of Chile, I recommend you do. They are well coached, young team that plays a constantly attacking style. VIVA CHILE, MIERDA!!!! VAMOS

Yeah, I actually like Chile's chances of getting to the knockout stage. Like you said, a match up against Brazil probably puts them out of the tournament, but you'd have to think an upset would be huge for Chilean soccer.

[SebC]

Okay England, you've got a capable manager, a favourable draw... don't screw this up!

Originally Posted by Locke

Canada needs a world class manager. The difference that can make can never be understated.

Heck, for proof of that, just look at our Flames.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm sorry, I'll have to defer to the blindly faithful Portuguese man...

France qualified, barely, against Ireland and Portugal has been absolutely underwhelming at every turn also, barely qualifying. Neither team was in a particularly talented group and both were slotted as favourites.

I'm sorry, I forgot that Portugal was missing Ronaldo....for the tail end of their campaign when they actually improved enough to qualify by the skin of their teeth, when they couldnt beat Denmark or Albania to save their lives.

Remember the 0-0 draw against Albania? Ronaldo was there for that. How about the 2, 0-0 draws against Sweden? Yup, you guessed it, he was there for both of those too.

Thats not to say that Portugal dont have quality players, they do, well, the Brazilians that play for Portugal are pretty good, the actual Portuguese....not so much...

Sure, maybe Portugal can turn it around and find some success during the tournament, they have the talent to do it, but, quite frankly, I wouldnt have much faith in a team that struggled against teams like Albania, Sweden and Denmark, teams that were ranked 98th, 22nd and 42nd respectively but, what? What is your contention? That they are more likely to win against teams ranked 2nd and 16th to get to the group stage?

Oh well, look at me telling you, the all knowing football guru these minor trifles. I'm sure you already know all of this.

Oh dude, I was just giving you a hard time. I have learned to take whatever you say about soccer with a grain of salt. I didn't need a novel of your thoughts on Portugal because I could care less what you think. Good on you though for wasting 5 minutes of your day.

[GirlySports]

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

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

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.

Agreed. I think the word you're looking for is pedigree.

[Magnum PEI]

There is too much riff-raff in this World Cup. I think thay should give more spots to Europe or reduce the number of teams to 24. When Sweden and Czechia aren't in the mix but New Zealand and North Korea are, there is something wrong.

[SebC]

Odds post-draw (William Hill)

Spain.......... 4-1
England........ 5-1
Brazil........ 11-2
Argentina...... 9-1
Italy......... 11-1
France........ 11-1
Germany....... 12-1
Netherlands... 14-1
Portugal...... 25-1
Ivory Coast... 28-1
Chile......... 33-1
Paraguay...... 50-1
Cameroon...... 66-1
Mexico........ 66-1
Uruguay....... 66-1
Ghana......... 66-1
Serbia........ 66-1
Nigeria....... 80-1
USA........... 80-1
Australia.... 100-1
South Africa. 125-1
Denmark...... 125-1
Greece....... 150-1
Switzerland.. 150-1
South Korea.. 200-1
Slovenia..... 200-1
Slovakia..... 250-1
Japan........ 250-1
Algeria...... 250-1
Honduras..... 750-1
New Zealand. 1000-1
North Korea. 2000-1

[troutman]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, I actually like Chile's chances of getting to the knockout stage. Like you said, a match up against Brazil probably puts them out of the tournament, but you'd have to think an upset would be huge for Chilean soccer.

Chilean women/ Brazilian women - we are all winners. Mucho gusto!