World Cup 2010 -The Greatest Show on Earth II

This week it is time to look at Group B and see how we think this one will work out.

Again we shall be looking at each team individually, with a summation at the end and a guide as to how I see the group ending up.

In this group we have a real mix, teams from Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, it will be fascinating to see what happens.

Group B

Argentina  -  La Albiceleste, FIFA ranked 9, price to win group 1.54

Nigeria  -  Super Eagles, FIFA ranked 15, price to win group 5.9

Korea Republic  -  Warriors, FIFA ranked 53, price to win group 12.5

Greece  -  The Pirates, FIFA ranked 10, price to win group 8.4

Argentina

The clear favourites to win this group and they couldn’t have wished for a kinder group. The Sky Blues really struggled to make this World Cup but did eventually find some form in their final 3 group games. They have also just recently beaten Germany in Munich, running out quite comfortable 1-0 winners. They are the clear trading opportunity from this group. Not long ago they were trading at 13 and I think they are now down to 11.5. They will certainly get to the Quarter Finals, at which point I think I would trade them out. They have won the World Cup twice and been runners-up twice, so definitely have the pedigree.

They have so much quality at their disposal, using 90 different players in the last 12 months, that they should do much better than what they have done recently. Fantastic individual skill, has not yet been blended into a team by the rotund Maradona. He may have been a great player but I think I could do better as a manager. They have got to these finals despite Maradona not because of him. He has too much choice and just doesn’t know or is incapable of picking his best team. He is a rubbish manager.

When you look at the forwards at their disposal, they are without doubt the best group of forwards in the world. Messi (Barcelona), Tevez (Man City), Higuain (Real Madrid), Aguero (Athletico Madrid), Milito (Inter Milan), absolutely without equal. Will they win the World Cup? No chance. The little fatty in charge will see to that. I am sure he will make one or two cock ups on the way. They will win the group and beat France in the last 16 but probably won’t get past the quarters.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles are the second rated African team behind Egypt. Their first World Cup was in 1994 and this will be their fourth. In their previous 3 attempts they have qualified for the last 16 twice but have never gone any further, so they will be hoping that this year they can take it on one more step. They won the Africa Cup of nations in 1980 and 1994, they also finished 3rd in this year’s competition, so they do have experience of big time tournaments and are a very capable side on their day.

Being paired in the same group as Argentina, does narrow their options down a bit and I think they will be fighting for second place with Greece. That famous Swede (no, not Sven) Lars Lagerback is their coach and Kanu of Portsmouth is the captain.They do have quite a few players based in England. Everton have 3 of them, Yobo, Yakubu and Anichebe. There is Shittu (Bolton), Jon Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Olofinjanu (Hull), Etuhu (Fulham), Odejayi (Colchester) and Sodje (Charlton).

Their first game is against Argentina and that may be a good thing. Teams tend to settle for a draw in their first game and I am sure Nigeria would settle for that. Lagerback will have them set up to make them difficult to beat and any team will have to win the battle before they can win the game against them. If they can come out of the Argentina game with something, that should set them up for the rest of the group games. For me though, they did have a very lack-lustre Nations Cup and they will have to improve on their poor performance in that tournament.

Korea Republic

The Warriors from South Korea have a big job on their hands to get out of this group, even with the little Oriental Magician, Ji-Sung Park (Manchester United). They are Asia’s most successful national team, having won the Asian Cup the last two times and this is their 8th qualification for the World Cup. Their most successful time was in 2002, when the mercurial Gus Hiddink, led them to 4th place when they co-hosted the competition with Japan.

Little known outside Asia, they will have to contend with alien conditions and they are not usually at their best outside of Asia. The vast majority of their players still play in Asia and so are not up to the high standard required of the European and South American national teams. However, what they lack for in top level experience is somewhat compensated by the way they work as a team and not as individuals. They do have a couple of others who ply their trade in Britain, Lee Chung-Yung (Bolton) and Ki Sung-Yung (Celtic).

They will not have the experience or technical know-how to survive this group, even though I am sure they will put up 3 spirited performances. Having to face Argentina is bad enough but they also have Nigeria, who will be suited to the conditions and Greece, who are a very experienced side. They have not lost a match in over 2 years, so they do know how to win but they have not faced a side anywhere near the top of the FIFA rankings. Their first game is against Greece, which could be their best opportunity.

Greece

This side is nowhere near the same standard of the Greek side that won Euro 2004 in Portugal. This is only the second World Cup for which they have qualified an up until 2004 they were in total obscurity as far as national competition went and it was a complete shock to the Greeks and the rest of Europe when they won Euro 2004.

Unbelievably, all their current squad play in Greece and come from just 5 or 6 teams. From that you can summise that they are more of a club side than a national team and they will definitely get found out in this tournament. Their club sides have performed poorly this season and the national side is no better.

The German Otto Rehhagel is the coach, he has been in the job for 9 years now, and Karagounis from Panathinaikos is the captain. As we all know Greek club sides do not travel well and neither does the national side. They managed to get to these finals via a play-off win against Ukraine, which is a positive. They are an experienced side but none of their current squad play at the highest level and I just cannot see them doing anything in South Africa, where conditions will be against them.

Group B

This group is an absolute shoe-in for Argentina and if they do get in trouble, they can always try the old “hand of God” routine. The battle will be for the places. For Greece read Panathinaikos/AEK Athens and we all know how rubbish they are. Greece will get found out and I don’t think they will even finish 3rd. Korea Republic (South Korea) are a proper “team” and will battle all the way but I think the conditions will just be too much for them and the Nigerians will edge them out of 2nd place.

Final Group B Positions

1   Argentina

2   Nigeria

3   Korea Republic

4   Greece

Having looked at Groups A and B, if they work out as planned, we would have a last 16 game of Argentina v France, Maradona v Henry, The Hand of God v The Hand of Thierry, so it makes you wonder if it will be football or basketball that they play? Next week we shall be looking at Group C and our beloved/hated/don’t care,England. How do you think they will fare?