Group Stage Review

After 48 games in the space of just two weeks, the group stages of the World Cup drew to a close on Friday night. In this piece, I take a look at the teams that have made it through to the knockout phase.

GROUP A

Uruguay have really impressed me so far and I believe they deserved to win the group. They look solid at the back and along with Portugal, are the only team yet to concede a goal during the tournament. Diego Forlan has been excellent up front and with a kind draw ahead of them, there’s no real reason why the two-time winners can’t reach the semi-finals this time round.

Mexico are the other side to have progressed from Group A. It is the fifth time in a row that Javier Aguirre’s side have reached the knockout stages of the World Cup and there can be no doubting that they do possess a very talented side, with new Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez looking bright at times. However, for all their pretty football and hard work, the Mexicans lack an out-and-out goal scorer. Maradona’s Argentina will be the opposition at Soccer City on Sunday Evening and I believe Mexico will come unstuck against the likes of Messi and Higuain.

GROUP B

Argentina have looked extremely dangerous so far, and it was no surprise to see them win Group B with ease. Up front they look simply unstoppable. It speaks volumes about the wealth of quality Maradona’s side have up top when you consider that the likes of Kun Aguero and Diego Milito have to be content with warming the bench. There are still question marks over the defence, but even with those, Argentina have a great chance of reclaiming the trophy they last won 24 years ago.

South Korea sealed qualification with a 2-2 draw against Nigeria and can now look forward to a last 16 clash with Uruguay. What Huh Jung Moo’s side lack in flair and guile, they more than make up for with hard graft, epitomized by the work-rate of the instrumental Park Ji Sung. I fancy Uruguay to beat the South Koreans, but have every chance of being proved wrong by Moo’s side.

GROUP C

In the 92nd minute of the USA’s last game, they weren’t even going through. Seconds later however and after Landon Donovan’s late, late winner, Bob Bradley’s side had booked their place in the last 16 as group winners. Donovan has, as expected, been the key player having netting twice in the group stage. A tough tie against Group D runners-up Ghana awaits.

In a group that they were expected to win at a canter, England have just about made it through to the last 16. After a 1-1 draw against the USA, the Three Lions produced a dire display to draw 0-0 with a very poor Algeria side. England’s last group match however, in which Slovenia were defeated thanks to Jermain Defoe’s goal, has provided some renewed optimism amongst the fans. Germany are the opponents on Sunday afternoon in a game that is almost impossible to call. Wayne Rooney has not been anywhere near his best so far, with all England fans hoping that he can start to produce what he is capable of against Joachim Löw’s outfit.
GROUP D

After thrashing Australia 4-0 in their first game, Germany’s campaign took a blow after being reduced to 10 men in a 1-0 defeat to Serbia that left them needing to win their last game to be sure of qualification. Mesut Özil’s cracking strike secured a 1-0 win against Ghana that confirmed the three-time champions as group winners. Joachim Löw’s side look excellent going forward, with young Werder Bremen star Özil excelling in his role behind the front man. Philipp Lahm has justified his reputation as one of the best full backs in world football, but his efforts aside, Germany’s defence does not convince me.

Ghana are the only African nation left in the tournament after beating Australia to 2nd place on goal difference, setting up a tie with the USA in the process. Kevin Prince-Boateng, who only made his international debut in the final weeks before the tournament kicked off has really caught the eye and has become a key man for the Black Stars. Full of heart and team spirit, there is no reason why the Ghanaians can’t reach the quarter finals.

GROUP E

Holland were my tip for the tournament before it started, and have eased themselves into the last 16, amassing 9 points whilst not having to get out of second gear. Young Ajax full back Gregory Van Der Wiel has shown why he is rated so highly in his homeland with a series of very good displays whilst the return of Arjen Robben will be massive for Bert van Marwijk’s side. Slovakia will be the opposition for the Dutch in the knockout stages as The Flying Dutchmen look to finally utilise their undoubted potential.

I really have to give credit to Takeshi Okada’s and his Japan team, who I didn’t believe would beat Denmark in Thursday’s final group game. After an efficient performance, however, in which they ran out deserved 3-1 winners, they have set up a date in the last 16 with Paraguay. Keisuke Honda was excellent in the beating of the Danes and will again be crucial if Japan are to beat a good Paraguay side.

GROUP F

Paraguay have been yet another South American team that have shone during the group stages and will enter their game against Japan in the first knockout stage on Tuesday as favourites. Gerardo Martino’s side possess an experienced backline with Justo Villar only conceding one goal so far. Enrique Vera netted against Slovakia and has enjoyed an encouraging tournament.

The fact that Slovakia find themselves in the last 16 has come as a surprise to many, including myself. However, it can’t be claimed that they don’t deserve their place in the knockout stages, after they triumphed over Italy in what was for me the best game of the tournament so far. Whilst highly-rated captain Marek Hamsik has flattered to deceive so far, veteran striker Robert Vittek has led the line well and is currently joint top scorer in the tournament, with 3 to his name. It’s extremely unlikely that the Slovaks will go any further in the tournament as they face a very difficult game against the Dutch on Monday but one thing that Vladimir Weiss’ side will not lack is belief after dumping out the current world champions already.

GROUP G

Whilst raising no eyebrows in topping the so called “group of death”, the way in which Brazil have gone about their business may well have surprised many around the world who expected to see the five-time champions play with the stereotypical flair that they are associated with. That’s not the case under manager Dunga, who has transformed the way in which the team play. Maicon has impressed at right-back whilst Robinho looks to be reinvigorated following his spell at Santos. Luis Fabiano has shown glimpses of why he is so highly coveted by clubs all around Europe. A tough tie against fellow South Americans Chile is next for the Brazilians who will have to do a professional job against a very dangerous side.

Carlos Queiroz’s Portugal have shown plenty of grit and determination in qualifying from Group G, with two hard fought 0-0 draws against Ivory Coast and Brazil sandwiching a 7-0 drubbing of North Korea. Goalkeeper Eduardo has performed well and has been a big reason in the side being one of only two sides not to concede so far. Young left-back Fabio Coentrao has been one of the finds of the tournament so far, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to up his level of performance. A mouth-watering derby against neighbours Spain is next for Queiroz and his team.

GROUP H

Whilst Spain did eventually win Group H, they were certainly given a scare along the way after suffering a shock defeat to Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland in their opening game. Favourites in the eyes of many before the tournament kicked off, the Euro 2008 champions have shown why in glimpses, scoring some excellent goals whilst not being anywhere near their majestic best. Fernando Torres’ lack of fitness has put an even greater responsibility on the shoulders of strike partner David Villa, who has three goals already and is showing why the bookies made him favourite to win the Golden Boot this summer. Like Holland, the Spanish have never really achieved what they are capable of at a World Cup but will be desperate to change that, starting with Tuesday’s game with Portugal.

Personally, I’m really happy to see that Chile have made it to the last 16. Marcelo Bielsa has got his team playing some really attractive football and will be quietly confident of beating a Brazil side who only finished one point ahead of his own in qualifying for the tournament. Right winger Alexis Sanchez is key to the Chilean’s chances, having looked very lively in the group stages.

Return of the Nik

I’m back!!

After a long break, I’ve decided to start putting fingers to keyboard again. There have been a few reasons why I haven’t published anything in a while, with losing all motivation to write and avoiding revision for A level exams being the main culprits! I’m back now though, and am really looking forward to publishing a lot of articles on various sporting events over the summer.