World Cup 2010: Group E/F Preview
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As Italy looks to repeat their 2006 World Cup championship, Colin and Chris discuss whether they will make it out of Group F and what other countries to look out for in Groups E and F.
Clash of the Titans
June 13, 2010 3:13 AM ADT
With the 2010 World Cup just getting underway, McPhail and Cameron continue to examine the remaining pools. There remain only four groups to discuss, below they break down Group E and F.
Group E: Cameroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands
Chris: Netherlands and Cameroon.
The Netherlands are consistently a top contender for the title, but have fallen short in the recent past. This years team showed they are up to the challenge winning all eight games played in the European zone. If that is not enough, players such as Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt will play a key role in the success of their nation.
Of all the African teams at the World Cup, Cameroon is the strongest and will travel the farthest. World famous names Samuel Eto'o, Jean II Makoun, and Alexandre Song will provide the high level play needed to succeed. So long as Eto'o can continue his success in finding the back of the net and their defense continues to improve as they did in qualification, we may see this team make it to the quarterfinals or better. Don't forget Cameroon is very close to my last name, so of course I favour them a little more.
Colin: Netherlands and Denmark
The Dutch have looked very strong in the qualifying round and will be looking to fulfill their tournament goal of making the final. Will it happen? There's a very good chance that it will. Even though familiar names such as van der Saar and van Nistelrooy are absent, there's a changing of the guard that will take place as Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will be leading the Oranje in South Africa. However, Mark van Brommel, the new Head Coach, will not be worries about his absent stars as Robben and van Persie will guide a strong and efficient Dutch attack along with a core that has been relatively untouched. The Netherlands should advance with at least two victories.
That being said, it will be far from an easy road for the Dutch. While there's no real contenders in the remaining three teams, these three clubs will be pesky adversaries that could easily surprise the soccer world. The Cameroon and Japan sides are to be taken very seriously. They have the ability to upset a bigger name no doubt, but their inconsistency will be their downfall. The Danes will secure the second spot in Group E. Denmark astonished Europe with their play against Sweden and the favourite Portuguese side in the qualifying round. They'll boast talent that ranges from top clubs all over Europe. It'll be tight, but the Danes will squeak through to the knockout stage. Remember - Denmark has only appeared in three World Cup Finals and managed to advance past the group stage every time.
Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Chris: Italy and Slovakia.
It's a simple choice, really. The Italians have four titles and are the reining champions. This is a new squad from their triumph in Germany, but still brings quite a few experienced players back. They are looking for a consecutive title for the second time in their history. This nation has success at the World Cup even without a large number of returning players. Semi-finals are a definite possibility this year.
Slovakia is in their first Cup as an independent nation, but after previous experience under Czechoslovakia this squad will pass the higher ranked Paraguay for the second spot out of the pool. Robert Vitteck will be expected to lead up front, with the hopes of the rest of the team to follow under his leadership.
Colin: Italy and Paraguay
The defending champs are no doubt one of the top contenders to be crowned champions. The Italian squad is built from the back out on the shoulders of the some world-class talent. Veteran midfielder Genara Gattuso will be managing the middle with one game's top defenders behind him in Fabio Cannavaro as top-notch keeper Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal. Good luck mounting an attack on these guys. The 2006 champs were handed an easy group and should hardly break a sweat while advancing.
This group can divided into three tiers. The first tier would be the contender (Italy). The second would be the club that could find a little success (Paraguay). The third tier being the ones that don't really belong at this level (New Zealand and Slovakia). The Kiwis and the Slovaks have battled hard to get to South Africa, but won't see much success. The Paraguayans do have plenty of international experience and talented players, but have yet to see any success. Led by Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay should capatilize on this group situation and receive some much desired international success.
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