As much as I recognise that Australia are in a tough group, our Group D rivals aren’t exactly setting the world on fire with their current form.
Germany are obviously red-hot favourites to finish top – not least after they thumped Hungary 3-0 in a friendly in Budapest last Saturday – but Ghana and Serbia haven’t fared quite as well in their pre-World Cup friendlies to date.
The Ghanians looked shell-shocked as the Netherlands ran riot in a 4-1 victory in their farewell friendly in Rotterdam, while Serbia have failed to score in each of their past two matches – going down 1-0 to New Zealand, before being held to a scoreless draw in the pouring rain by Poland.
“We must be better in front of goal,” midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic was quoted by leading German sports magazine Kicker as saying, with the goals having suddenly dried up for a side that was free-scoring in qualifying.
But if Australia has a tough group to negotiate, just how many fans expect North Korea to return to the capital Pyongyang with three straight defeats in the bag?
Clashes with Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast could hardly represent a more difficult prospect, and the Chollima will need to rely on their opponents’ ignorance to gain a competitive advantage.
They can also call upon the goals of Chong Tese – surely destined for a move away from J. League club Kawasaki Frontale sooner, rather than later – with “the Asian Wayne Rooney” on fire in the build-up to what will surely be his greatest stage.
The bustling front man has an uncanny knack for conjuring a goal out of nothing, and woe betide any complacent defenders who feel that a clash with the little-known North Koreans represents a mere walk in the park.
Their southern counterparts from Seoul are more worried about submarine attacks than the threat of any North Korean strikers cutting inside, and Huh Jung-Moo’s team are in the easiest group of the four Asian teams.
The Taeguk Warriors are more than capable of accounting for Greece in their opening match, and while Argentina should represent a tougher challenge, I’d put my money on the battle-hardened South Koreans seeing off Nigeria in their final group-stage game.
In fact, I’d go as far as saying that South Korea have been the best international side in Asian football for some time, and although veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae now looks an achilles heel, I believe that the skillful South Koreans will still reach at least the Round of 16 if they manage to keep things tight at the back.
That just leaves the human headline that is Takeshi Okada and his hapless band of hopeless footballers, who somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against an utterly dreadful England side last Sunday.
Okada might as well polish up his resumé ahead of what will be a predictable first round exit, despite the fact that Japanese national team has plenty of talented players to call upon back home.
But when the likes of Yoshito Okubo makes way for the mystifying Keiji Tamada or the plodding Kisho Yano off the bench – players who make the Shimizu S-Pulse back four look like world beaters – then it’s time to concede defeat and admit that Japan has little chance of competing with Cameroon, the Netherlands and Denmark.
So it’s South Korea who look the biggest threat to me, with the well-drilled and compact unit more than capable of matching it with their group rivals in South Africa.
The jury is still out on Australia – fingers crossed that the bounce of the new Jabulani ball goes our way come June 13.
David V.
Guest
And that's an impressive tally from midfield!
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Narazaki is the designated number one, but I thought it should have been Kawashima a long time ago. Makes a mockery of the fact that Okada played Ryota "Where Is He Now?" Tsuzuki against the Socceroos last year.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
A strange decision indeed. 14 goals for Vegalta last season and another five in the top flight this year, I was very surprised to see him left out of the North Korean squad.
Football Person 2
Roar Pro
completely off topic but at school today my friend was doing an English oral on capital punishment, i wasn’t listening to intently but all i heard was “the real murderer was a man called Carlos Hernandez” :) :) :) :)
whiskeymac
Guest
http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html even the draw can be made to look pretty... times are obviously not AEST
David V.
Guest
At the same time, the fact that Latin American and African players gravitate towards Europe would make the climate issue a moot point?
David V.
Guest
Japan- Okada is under fire from all quarters. South Korea- the "Class of '02" have a final shot. North Korea- an unknown quantity, which may just work in their favour. Australia- discussed elsewhere. I noticed North Korea did not include Ryang Yong Gi of Vegalta Sendai in their squad.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/03/1956618/world-cup-2010-north-korea-attacker-kim-myong-won-to-play-as To be honest I didn't know about this rule and only now realise why other countries haven't tried it. Poor old North Korea, only 2 goal keepers.... now I'm worried that Kim Myong may receive a serious injury.... from the coaching staff!
Kazama
Roar Guru
Serbia do have a reputation of crumbling when it counts. I wouldn't bank on it happening, but I'd rather have not have that reputation if I were them. Pressure of expectation can weigh heavily on the shoulders of players. Fortunately, it is not something Australia, New Zealand or any of the Asian teams should be worrying about.
Axel V
Guest
New Zealand have Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in their group. New Zealand are a good team and still i think they are under rated, and in my books, 35-50% chance is good odds! :P As for Australia, Serbia and Ghana in Africa will be tough, however I think i may have been over estimating them, and despite Australia being atrocious in attack and in their passing game (with grella and bresc anyway). Our secret weapon is the Aussie spirit, however the Aussie spirit under Guus was a last line of defence, under Pim it seems like its the first and only line of defence :/ Would be no surpise to me if we can get a draw against the Germans, although it's almost guarenteed they will make it out of the group looking at their world cup record. I can just imagine Serbia cruising the whole match, having a 1-0 lead, then getting complacent and nervous in the last 20 minutes, that's when we pounce :)
Kazama
Roar Guru
I don't think it is impossible for the Kiwis to make it out of their group, but to say they have a good chance... I wouldn't even say Australia has a good chance... still, it's your opinion Axel, I just wish I had your confidence!
Axel V
Guest
South Korea, Australia and New Zealand (qualified via Bahrain) have good chances of making it out of their group. Japan and North Korea are doomed, but in fairness to the North Koreans it's not their fault they've been dealt the worst possible group, Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast!
Kazama
Roar Guru
Well said Ben. Always enjoy your comments. The World Cup is once every four years. That's a bloody long time to wait for the next one. Make sure you take in and enjoy as much of the tournament as you can!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I'd prefer the gig at the AFC if I had to make a choice. I'm quite the fan of Malaysian cuisine. Yet sadly, for my stomach at least, marketing isn't my forte. Relax and enjoy the journey, Chris. The kaleidoscope of colour and culture that the World Cup brings is enough to bring a wary grin to the most ardent of football detractors. Give it a go, you may even find that you enjoy yourself.
Chris
Guest
Applied for that job at FIFA Marketing yet?
Tom
Guest
Yeah, very much looking forward to South Korea in Group B. I feel that they should be able to get past Greece and Nigeria.
TheMagnificent11
Roar Guru
Yeah I expect South Korea to shine as well.
Roger Rational
Guest
The poor European record outside Europe is mostly because the tournaments have been played in ridiculous temperatures in places like Mexico, Japan, Brazil and the USA. I remember the Irish team practically feinting from exhaustion versus Mexico in Florida in 1994. This tournament, thankfully, won't present the same issues.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
you are correct about Brazil but I wouldn't discount a European nation makin it this time if I were you punter, I'd put me money on Engerland!
Roger Rational
Guest
Mike, None of 'em. Yours, Roger.