World Cup 2010 - Group D

Okay I realize the draw was over a week ago and I have only given my predictions for 3 groups...so here is Group D:

Group D:

Team v • d • e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Germany	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Serbia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ghana	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

This is the "thug" group, no quarter asked and none given in this group! Clearly the favorite to emerge is Germany, how could you not see the Germans getting out of the group stage. I have actually seen one pundit saying they will crash out in the groups...as much as I would love to see that, it is highly unlikely. This team might be one of the favorites and not just because it is Germany, but the bulk of their roster is the "perfect" age - early to mid 20s - if you have read the book Soccernomics it points out that players best years are exactly in that range...something most soccer fans have realized for themselves. With the likes of Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Gomez, Lahm et al in that range one could expect great things from the squad. Also they gained great experience in the last World Cup finishing 3rd as well as the Euros where they made it to the finals...granted they were badly outclassed by Spain but still good experience. However it will be the 30+ players that will determine how far this team will go - Klose and Ballack. The Chelsea man in particular, with this being, most likely, his last World Cup he will be fighting to get his name on a trophy. Unlike other German greats - Muller, Beckenbauer, and Matthaus - Ballack has never been able to receive a winners medal. He will clearly be looking to correct that in South Africa. I think the second place will be fought out by the other 3 sides, each with a legitimate hope of securing the spot. Australia will be looking to build on a good World Cup in Germany where many would argue, they were robbed of a place in the 1/4 finals by a Grosso dive at the end of the match against Italy...something I would agree with!



Australia have slowly developed their national soccer side and moving into the Asian region has been good by forcing them to play a more competitive qualifying campaign. I think that the problem is that the Australian stars are getting older - Cahill and Kewill - I think they had their run in the last World Cup. They will not be a walk over but might be between generations to expect to improve upon Germany 2006. Serbia are the surprise nation, finishing first of their qualifying group - ahead of Les Bleus. They will be a solid squad that I think could surprise. Their back line will be anchored by the Manchester United man - Vidic and could showcase the Serbian/American Subotic (wonder if Bradley would eat his hat to have been able to line him up for the US?) the midfield will be run by the Inter man Stankovic. The main fear I have is the keeper...depending on who they play I have little confidence that the keeper can carry this team far. Just look at what Stojkovic did in the game against France...he was very shaky, even when his team were up 1 player! Finally there are the Black Stars of Ghana and we all know where their strength lies - midfield. With Essein, Muntari and Appiah they have arguably one of the best midfields, I would put them below Spain's but in the same ballpark. As they demonstrated last World Cup, they can ride this strength to the knock out stages and if they can avoid going head to head with a Brazil who knows how much further they can go. The question becomes how will they defend? There is little quality in the goal or on defense. Offensively they do not have a star striker which might limit how far they will go...maybe they would do better had Freddy Adu chosen to represent his native land....joking.

Clearly there will be some physical battles in this group. But in the end I think things will work out as follows:
Germany, Serbia, Ghana, Australia - however the order after Germany could be any combination, I think that Australia is the least likely to finish 2nd.
Player to watch - Ballack, the German captain will want to get off to a good start and make sure he can get his World Cup final - some would argue that had he not been suspended in 2002 that Germany would have won against Brazil.