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This is the second of an 8-part series looking at each group, one at a time, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Group B includes Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.
Argentina
Current FIFA ranking: 8
Nickname: Albicelestes (White and Sky blues).
Main kit: White and sky blue stripes, black shorts, white socks.
Key players: Martin Demichelis (Bayern); Pablo Aimar (Benfica); Maxi Rodrigues (Atletico Madrid); Lional Messi (Barcelona); Gabriel Heinze (Marseille); Esteban Cambiasso (Inter); Javier Mascherano (Liverpool); Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
Route to 2010: Argentina was placed fourth in the CONMEBOL confederation, representing the final spot that automatically qualified for 2010.
The Albicelestes experienced a few nervous moments, losing 3-1 to Brazil at home and getting hammered by Bolivia 6-1 away.
In the end, a 1-0 away win over Uruguay, in the final round of matches, ensured a comfortable 4 point margin over the 5th placed Uruguay.
Recent results:
Honours:
World Cup record: Argentina has played in 14 of 18 World Cups; winning twice, in 1978 and 1986, and finishing second in 1930 and 1990.
Both championship wins were shrouded in controversy, with political games played at the national level in 1978, and the so-called “hand of God” incident with Maradona in 1986 – at a time when he was clearly the best player in the world.
In the opening game of the 1990 World Cup – as reigning champion – they fell to a nine man Cameroon side 1-0, and could consider themselves fortunate that they did not lose by more.
Since that second placing in 1990, the Albicelestes have failed to make the last four, despite being close to outright favourites to win the cup the last few occasions.
In 1998 Argentina breezed through the group stage, got past England on penalties in the next stage, but fell to a good Dutch team in the quarter finals; 2-1.
They failed to get out of the group stages in 2002; in a similar vain to France.
In 2006 – once again billed as a top 3 team in terms of favouritsm – showed good form right up to the quarter finals; where, upon leading 1-0 against the host nation, basically put the cue away and allowed the hosts to tie the game up where they then lost on penalties.
Nevertheless, they left a good impression on 2006, best remembered for the 6-0 shellacking of Serbia which featured one of the very best team goals in world cup history, and a pulsating second round game against Mexico, which was just about the game of the tournament.
Comments: All the goodwill built up during the last World Cup has virtually dissipated under the guidance of national icon, Diego Maradona, both at home and abroad, with a string of insipid results.
The widespread feeling is that while Maradona is a wonderful figurehead for the national team, he is not really national team manager material, and that very little thought is given to the concept of a “game plan” whenever the Albicelestes take the field.
This might have the unexpected result of giving us some performances that are reminiscent of the carefree days of Brazil circa 1982, when structure and team discipline were considered dirty words.
Be that as it may, do not be surprised to see an Argentine team repeat its performance of 2002, despite a very talented squad in terms of the individual players.
Nigeria
Current FIFA ranking: 22
Nickname: Super Eagles.
Main kit: All green.
Key players: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv); Taye Taiwo (Marseille); Danny Shittu (Bolton); Joseph Yobo (Everton); Mikel John Obi (Chelsea); Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow); Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg); Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton); Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza).
Route to 2010: Nigeria finished in top spot in Group B of the African qualifiers.
They were lucky to hold onto top spot in the final round of games when the lowly Mozambique won at home 1-0 against the second placed Tunisia, which was their only loss for the qualifiers.
Nigeria finished its six games with three wins and three draws, including two away nil-all draws.
Recent results:
Honours:
World Cup record: The Super Eagles made the World cup on three consecutive occasions, from 1994 to 2002, making the second round the first two times.
Their World Cup record is four wins, one draw and six losses, fourteen goals for and sixteen goals against.
In its first World Cup, in 1994, Nigeria topped the group, defeating two European nations – Bulgaria 3-0 and Greece 2-0.
In the second round, Nigeria led a 10-man Italy 1-0, but allowed Roberto Baggio to tie it up, and then succumbed in extra time to a 2-1 defeat.
Nigeria topped their group again in 1998, and again defeated two European nations, Spain 3-2 and Bulgaria 1-0, when they were then trashed 4-1 by Denmark in the second round.
In 2002, Nigeria was in the group of death, and finished bottom of its group after losses to Argentina and Sweden, and a nil-all draw with England.
Comments: Both Nigeria’s World Cup record and their recent qualifiers suggest a capacity to take on the very best in the world, but a missing mental cutting edge, which can see their game plan fall apart when least expected.
One thing is for sure, their World Cup record against physical European opponents is quite good, and they have had a strong win against Greece at World Cup level.
The squad shows plenty of talent, so on African territory I would fancy their chances of getting one of the top two spots.
Korea Republic
Current FIFA ranking: 52
Nickname: Taegeuk Jeonsa (Taeguk Warriros); Red Devils.
Main kit: Red shirt, white shorts.
Key players: Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon); Kim Dong-Jin (Zenit); Cha Du-Ri (Freiburg); Cho Won-Hee (Wigan); Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United); Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham); Park Chu-Young (Monaco).
Route to 2010: South Korea finished top of Group B in the AFC qualifiers.
Their best result was a 4-1 home win against the United Arab Emirates. They also managed two 2-0 away wins, against the UAE and the strong Saudi side.
Recent results:
Honours:
World Cup record: The Red Devils’ World Cup record looks a bit like the early years of Mexico’s record, making the World Cup on a regular basis, but going out after the first round on each occasion.
This record changed somewhat when South Korea co-hosted the 2002 World Cup, defeating giants in Italy and Spain on the way to a respectable 4th placing.
In 2002, while the Red Devils failed to go past the group stage, they achieved a first, winning their first World Cup game outside of Asia, defeating Togo 2-1.
Comments: Apart from the World Cup on home territory, it has to be said that South Korea’s record against European and South American opposition isn’t great, but they were far from embarrassed last World Cup.
There are four factors that make me consider South Korea some chance of going to the next round:
Greece
Current FIFA ranking: 12
Nickname: Galanoleyki
Main kit: Blue with white trim
Key players: Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos); Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool); Kostas Kasouranis (Panathinaikos); Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos); Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg); Theofanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen); Giourkas Seitaridis (Panathinaikos).
Route to 2010: Greece finished second in UEFA Group 2, below Switzerland.
They lost both times to the Swiss, but were able to win both home and away games against the third placed Latvia (5-2 and 0-2). Yes, it wasn’t the most difficult group going around.
Greece met the Ukraine in the second round play-off, and it’s not too difficult to predict the aggregate scoreline: a 1-0 result falling the way of the Greeks.
Recent results:
Record against group opponents:
Honours:
World Cup record: For a country with a vibrant league, and a decent history of club success at European level, Greece’s World Cup history is a sorry one.
They qualified only on one other occasion – in 1994 – losing all three games, scoring zero goals and conceding 10.
As it happens, both Argentina and Nigeria were in that same group back in 1994. Argentina won 4-0 and Nigeria won 2-0.
Comments: Greece’s performance in Euro 2004 is far more relevant than their performance in the World Cup ten years earlier.
You might recall Greece was able to become European champions with some sturdy defence and the capacity to nick a goal from set pieces. Their last five games of the tournament ended up in 1-0 victories.
It might be tempting to presume that Greece made it to the World Cup on a similar basis, but putting aside their play off with Ukraine, I’m not so sure.
Remembering it was a relatively weak group (Latvia, Israel, Luxembourg and Moldova finished below them), they still managed to concede six goals at home in their five home games. Even Luxembourg managed to score one!
I have a nagging feeling that Greece will finish last in there group again.
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