USA big winner from World Cup draw; not so Australia

 
Adrian Musolino Columnist

By , 6 Dec 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert

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USA's Clint Dempsey reacts after scoring the team's third goal as teammate Charlie Davies, left, follows him, during their Confederations Cup Group B soccer match against Egypt at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 21, 2009. Davies scored their first goal. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

USA's Clint Dempsey reacts after scoring the team's third goal as teammate Charlie Davies, left, follows him, during their Confederations Cup Group B soccer match against Egypt at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 21, 2009. Davies scored their first goal. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Whether it’s the group of death or not is irrelevant. What matters is the Socceroos can emerge from the challenging Group D in South Africa against Germany, Ghana and Serbia; possibly setting up the dream clash in the last sixteen that we missed out on in the group stage.

Emerging one group too late for the much-anticipated match-up with England, Australia nonetheless opens its campaign against Germany, an equally formidable and respected World Cup star, and should the Socceroos emerge from Group D as runners-up, and England claim Group C, we will meet in the round of sixteen.

I mentioned in my previous column that we had to view the group stage in a deeper way than just in terms of ease or difficulty; by looking at the potential fixtures in terms of their appeal to the mainstream.

While the mainstream press have, encouragingly, acknowledged Ghana and Serbia as the difficult opponents that we know they are, there will still be a perception amongst non-football fans that the Socceroos should comfortably join Germany in the final sixteen.

This was the worst possible scenario for the Socceroos, in my opinion; two nations without the recognition they deserve that can very easily outperform the Socceroos. As Tony Tannous states, it could be a defensive arm-wrestle, and it remains to be seen whether the fixtures have the potential to equal the excitement and drama of 2006 – a World Cup experience that had all the ingredients of great theatre for Australia.

Sitting in the stands at Hindmarsh Stadium Friday night with dejected Adelaide United fans, the World Cup draw was never far from the conversations, and the local game needs the boost of the Socceroos performing well in South Africa.

We have the superpower clash with Germany opening our campaign, let’s just hope the Socceroos and Group D can provide the sort of spectacle that will showcase the game in a positive light.

At least it should be a competitive struggle.

The dream match-up with England was, in the end, snagged by the USA; setting up what is one of the most interesting matches of the group stage from a geopolitical perspective.

It was in Brazil, 1950 that a group of semi-professional American players defeated the might of England, and the clash between the past and current ‘rulers’ of the English speaking world also pits two of the leading contenders for the 2018-22 World Cups against one another.

For David Beckham, on stage at the draw with the seemingly disinterested Charlize Theron, his cheeky smile seemed to widen when the USA was drawn, knowing that even if he misses out in Fabio Capello’s squad, he could play a key role in helping England bring down the dangerous Americans he knows so well, including LA Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan.

For FIFA, the England versus USA group opener is a blessing – another chance for ‘soccer’ to penetrate further into the American psyche.

With ESPN labelling its World Cup coverage as its biggest commitment of 2010 – showing all 64 games – off the back of its increased involvement in the world game, particularly its EPL coverage, the match-up with England is perfect. Before the draw ESPN promised the ‘biggest marketing campaign ever’ to promote the World Cup to Americans. That will only be ramped up with England, possibly Beckham, in the equation.

A result against England and a successful campaign in South Africa, a la their Confederations Cup run, could cause another spurt of interest in the game in the world’s biggest market, which may have a ripple impact on their hunger and desire for their World Cup bid – not good for Australia considering they are our logical opponents for 2022.

The England match-up is particularly fitting for Martin Tyler, the doyen of football commentators, who was nabbed by ESPN from SBS to lead a more ‘international’ coverage for America; without doubt a sign of America’s willingness to embrace football for what it is rather than trying to mould it into an American construct.

Thankfully for ESPN, the USA should emerge from Group C with England, both avoiding the ‘group of death’.

While some have stated Australia is in the group of death, that label must surely go the Group G – Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal. For those who are bemoaning Australia’s opponents, spare a thought for the North Koreans – our fellow Asian and pot two inhabitant – facing Kaka, Ronaldo and Drogba, in that order.

That could have been Australia.

Argentina, Spain and Italy should breeze through their groups, and the All Whites will be relieved they avoided the unseeded giants, landing Paraguay and Slovakia, while they have some form against Italy, pushing them in a 4-3 loss in the lead-up to the Confederations Cup.

And how ironic that France, the most undeserving side in the tournament, should find itself in the dream group with South Africa.

Raymond Domenech’s luck continues to ride.

There is intrigue throughout the eight groups. At present, here are my predictions for the nations to progress:

Group A: France and Mexico
Group B: Argentina and Nigeria
Group C: England and USA
Group D: Germany and Australia
Group E: Netherlands and Cameroon
Group F: Italy and Slovakia
Group G: Brazil and Ivory Coast
Group H: Spain and Switzerland

Groups for the 2010 World Cup:

Group A:
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B:
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Group C:
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D:
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E:
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F:
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G:
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H:
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

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