The week has gone very fast and its Friday already… I overslept this morning because I was up late watching the Socceroo’s beat Greece 1-0 in a World Cup warm-up game. The game kicked off at 7:30, but because I didn’t get home until after the match, I watched the replay on FoxSports… so I am a bit tired this morning, but its all preparation for myself given the next month or so will be spent sitting up watching the Cup.
Niki said to me last night “you’ll only be watching the Australian games won’t you?” and the answer will be a definite no! It is a much different dynamic this World Cup with Australia being in it, but it actually throws a lot more other games into the spotlight. The Croatia v Japan game will be very important to Australia’s chances as will Brazil’s games versus those two teams as well. Then there is Group E. If Australia can slip into 2nd spot in Group F, they will play the winner of Group E in the first game of the Knock Out phase of the cup. On paper, that clearly looks like Italy, but we would be hard pressed to beat them in the second round, so suddenly there opponents can potentially become Australia’s second team. So make sure you’re cheering for the likes of Ghana!
But what if we beat Brazil (yes, dreaming I know, but lets say)? Then we play the Runner Up of Group E, which consists of the already mentioned Italy and Ghana but also the Czech Republic and heaven help us, the USA. (As an aside, the Americans are apparently the #4 or so team in FIFA’s rankings… what is that all about!)
So in short, the games in those two groups are must watches – and besides, I always cheer for the Italians anyways so I’d be watching that group if Australia wasn’t in it.
Then you move onto other groups and there are some big games that I am already pencilling in to watch – Netherlands vs Argentina, England vs Sweden are obviously the pick, but there are some dark horses… Ukraine perhaps with Andriy Schevchenko (sp?), a great striker from AC Milan. The Spanish? Will they keel over again? The French – Henry, Viera and Zidane going around again. And also I like to watch some of the lesser lights go around. Costa Rica in the opening game against Germany. Togo? Angola? Ivory Coast? Sure I need an atlas, but always good value to watch these games because there tends to be a fair number of goals…
Can’t wait!
5 comments:
(As an aside, the Americans are apparently the #4 or so team in FIFA’s rankings… what is that all about!)
Well...we did make the Quarters in the LAST World Cup...or weren't you watching as Australia wasn't there?
;-)
I'm an American and I think the FIFA Rankings have always been seriously out of whack. I think most of the US squad, including the coach, Bruce Arena, would agree with me.
Italy has been complaining because they are the only seeded team to be facing two higher ranked opponents in the initial group play (#4 USA and #2 Czech), but honestly, I think most football minds would have to pick Italy as a favorite coming out of that group.
However, the prowess of the superteams (Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, etc) and the rest of the world has seriously narrowed in the last decade, and I think at this level (the 32 teams of the world cup) any team has a chance to beat any other during the games. Just look at what Korea did 4 years ago (of course all their blatent cheating and bribing the refs helped).
I'll also be watching the Aussie games very closely and rooting them on (as well as Japan).. we don't want to face Brazil in the 2nd round either. Although quite frankly if either the American or Aussie squad even makes the 2nd round it has to be considered a success.
Cheers, and good watching!
Is the Czech Republic #2?!?!?!
Seriously?
*blinks*
the czech's are a real BIG chance. they were the form side in the european championship two years ago (yes, somehow they lost to greece, but everyone did). For mind, group E is the 'group of death'. The US have now had a couple of succesful WC campaigns under their belts (and yes, their fifa ranking is inflated due to the number of easy qualify games they have), the italians (unfortunately) aren't the side they used to be and Ghana, well, i know bugger all about them, but let's assume they are handy. i think any of the four could progress to the next stage.
the australians are a real chance for 2nd place in group F. japan overacheived at the last world cup and like croatia, i think their best days have past them by. as for brazil, well, they've got to be due for an average world cup aren't they?!?
sc, london
Geez Clay, between this and the boxing thread, it might be an idea to do a bit of research and have some idea of what you're talking about before spouting off ;)
What, this is Lime Kettles isn't it?
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