World Cup 2010 - Group G...pseudo group of Death

Ah yes, every major football tournament needs one, so might as well call Group G the group of Death!

Team v • d • e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Brazil	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Korea DPR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Côte d'Ivoire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Portugal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Is this really a group of death? Were it not for North Korea, say South Korea or Mexico or the United States or even Australia been pulled from Pot 3, then you would have a serious group of death. However as it stands now you assume the 2 teams will come from 3 options. Clearly the samba boys of Brazil will be favorites to go through to the knock out stage. Dunga has clearly created the team along his lineage - strong defense built around tough tackling midfielders. Today's Brazil is not the Samba boys of old offense coming from all parts of the field, while it remains a free flowing footie the team is built from the back. With Lucio anchoring the back line which is shielded by the two holding midfielders - Gilberto and Melo, and they even have a decent keeper now in Cesar! The lateral defenders are really wingers - Maicon and Alves - always a threat to push high up the park and are threats to score at any moment. With Kaka pulling the strings in the midfield, the creativity of Robinho and Fabiano scoring goals up front, Brazil is a frightening side. Throw into the mix the ability to pull the likes of Elano and Pato off your bench, you have a very frightening side to face.



What about the European Brazil - Portugal? Much like France they struggled in qualifiers, at one point they were not even in a position to make the play offs. They still have a wealth of talent starting with Ronaldo. The recent loss of Pepe will be difficult for the Portugese to navigate. The other major question will be where will the goals come from? This will be a big test for Ronaldo, can he carry the squad? There is other talent - Deco, Nani, Simao, et al. - but they will only go as far as Ronaldo can carry them. I think he will need to provide the goals for the Portugese to threaten. Much has been hyped around the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire. With the likes of Drogba and Kalou leading the attack and the Toure brothers holding the defensive duties - many have hyped this side as the best chance for the African continent to have its first World Cup winner...um hold on. This is only their second world cup. They have some individual talent, no doubt, but I am not sure they have the depth and experience to go far. As talented as Drogba is as a striker, he does not have a wing man of the likes of Anelka or the midfielders such as Deco, Ballack, Lampard, JCole, Essein to feed him the ball. Last World Cup they were also touted as a nation that will go far - granted were in a group of death with Serbia, Argentina and Holland. So why will things change this tournament? Ivory Coast have the unfortunate draw of opening against Portugal and then having to play Brazil, rather then grab an early 3 points against North Korea, they might play them when their World Cup is already over. All hinges on the first match, if they can draw of defeat the Portugese then the Brazil match will be navigable, if they go into the match against the Samba boys with no points...might be short lived World Cup. Finally we have the poor North Koreans, they did a wonderful job qualifying. Much will be brought up about their only other time in the World Cup in 1966 and the fact they defeated Italy and almost took out the Portugese of Eusebio.



I fear that if they can pull of a similar feat this World Cup, that will be the biggest upset ever. With few players in leagues outside of North Korea, they will be hard pressed to get a point in this group.

Predictions: Brazil, Portugal, Cote D'Ivoire, North Korea - the way the game schedule is laid out will be difficult for Ivory Coast, I think the Portugese and Brazilians will be too strong for the African hope to get through.
Player to Watch: Ronaldo, he is one of the world's top 3 players, much will be on his shoulders this tournament for Portugal. If he shows the class he demonstrated a few seasons ago with Manchester United he will carry this team far. Portugal does have other talented players...but none as influential as the Real Madrid player.