World Cup 2010: Group C/D preview
Patrick Keogh / Flickr CC
Colin and Chris could not see eye to eye in their Group A and B predictions. The trend continues as Chris says Australia well make it out of Group C while Colin believes Serbia will.
Clash of the Titans
June 6, 2010 8:24 PM ADT
As the World Cup is fast approaching, Colin and Chris break down who will rise to the occasion. With some heavy favourites in these groups they have agreed on some things, while their hate for each other continues to grow as they fight over who will sneak out of Groups C and D. Check out the second set of predictions:
Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, USA
Chris: England and USA
If you don't choose England in this pool, you must not know anything about soccer at the international level. This team is made up of names known worldwide such as Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. They are famous for a reason. Rooney finished the qualifying with nine goals, so as long as he does not wind up with another red card, much like he did four years ago, England has the leadership they need up front. Will they go far after making it out of their pool? I can't see it. The farthest they will get is quarter-finals.
The United States finding themselves in this pool makes for an interesting story. They have upset England before and are hoping to again. Although at the world level, the United States has not had large amounts of success. However, there has been improvement and with only Algeria and Slovenia to outplay to make it through to the knockout stage, things are looking good for the Americans.
Colin: England and Algeria
I'm calling the first big upset of the 2010 World Cup. Algeria will oust the Americans in the group stage. These finals will mark the sixth consecutive appearance for the Americans, but, let's face it, CONCACAF isn't exactly the most competitive federation. When the Yanks do make the finals, they've seen little success and failed to advance from the group stage in 2006. This time will be no different as a surprising Algerian squad is making headway at the international level. Although the Algerians don't have the star power that other clubs can boast and are only making their third apperance, they have a solid core of good players that can play a strong defensive game and distribute the ball well. They should handle Slovenia easily, upset the Americans, and give the English all the can handle as well.
England is jampacked with big names and disapointments on the international stage. They do have one World Cup title, but in recent years the English squad has let their faithful down. Enlgand will be looking for their second World Cup title (the other being in 1960 on home soil). They have the talent, they have the energetic fans, they have a relatively easy road to the knockout stage, but can they overcome the overwhelming pressure? The spotlight will be on them over the next two months. They should progress to the round of 16 without too much trouble, but the real question revolving around the English is whether or not they'll go deep. They have the ability to compete with the best, but will they?
Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia
Chris: Germany and Australia.
Three time World Cup winners, Germany, are hands down the top team in this pool. They were also the runner-up at the 2008 UEFA European Championship. So, after looking through all the teams in this pool, there are significantly fewer negatives from this team than the others. Germany will find themselves as far as the semi-finals and even the final if they are on their game.
The boys from down under found themselves back on the world stage for the first time since 1974 in the 2006 World Cup. This is a demonstration of the improvement of their national soccer program. The Australians may not have the World Cup experience of other teams, but as this countries skill continues to move forward look for them to make pushes further into the tournament as years pass.
Colin: Germany and Serbia.
The Germans are not only the heavy favourites in this pool, they're considered to be one of the main contenders for the title. The German side plays world-class soccer with exceptional talent. When you have leaders such as Ballack, Klose, Lahm, and Podolski, you're in good hands. New bench boss, Joachim Low, will enforce a strong, tactical gameplan that will employ a devastating shutdown game against the opposing strikers and an even more potent offence. Look for Klose to chase the Golden Boot once again. Germany should breeze through - enough said.
Serbia has slowly crept up the world rankings to round out the top 15. This is their first finals as an independent nation. Nonetheless, Serbia will still field an exciting and energectic cast. They'll be led by one of today's top defenders, Nemanja Vidic. The fullback played a large part in Manchester United's success. Although Germany should be too much for them, Vidic and the Serbians will shut down Australia and Ghana. Head Coach Radomir Antic, who is known to be quite the motivator, should have no problem lighting a fire under his boys as they build off their strong play in the qualifying stages. .
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