World Cup 2010 - The World At Their Feet

I don't quite remember a thing about the World Cup until just before the 1974 event in the then West Germany. The extravaganza caught my attention as I was bemused by the mish-mesh clashes of cultural style from the different continents. After West Germany's triumph over the Flying Dutchmen (the Netherlands), Football Made In Germany hosted by Toby Charles (think Telematch - Achtung! Eins, Zwei, Drei, pee phreeeee!). I could even rattle off some names which at the time sounded so exotic to me - Sepp Maier, Bertie Vogts, Paul Breitner, Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Jurgen Grabowski, Gunter Netzer, Jupp Heynckes, Wolfgang Overath, Gerd Muller, Uli Hoeness, Rainer Bonhof. Then from the Netherlands - Arie Haan, van Hanegem, Jan Jongbloed, Rene and Willy van de Kerkhof, Ruud Krol, Johan Neeskens, Johan Cruyff, Robbie Resenbrink, Johnny Rep, Wim Rijsbergen. Third placed Poland had Jan Tomazewski, Grzegorz Lato, Deyna. That is quite a mouthful. This was a time where England did not even qualify.

It coincided with the introduction of colour television to liven up things and just months before the World Cup, I had a glimpse of the 1970 version titled "The World At Their Feet". What a kaleidoscope and I became a different animal falling in love with the beautiful game. My eyes opened up into a sports world of epic proportion. There are World Cups for many different sports, FA Cup, European Cup, Asia Cup, Malaysia Cup and Sawadee Cup. Today's soccer is an entirely different ball game. It became a lot more tactical with great stress on organisation, fitness and speed. The game seems to lack charisma of the past. Those were times when soccer could be a golden ticket to life, fame and riches and in countries where some may not be able to easily get an education or even have enough to play with a real soccer ball, along came tremendously gifted ball players where the streets and beaches were their only space and playground. Richer countries offered more methodical ways of training. Latin teams play with lots of flair and guile. European teams have organisation and power. Asian teams threw in a few surprises and of late African teams has been making a statement. Allow me to give a summary of the impending 2010 version:

Group A

South Africa (Bafana Bafana - The Boys) - South African players are skilful and quick but they have been struggling for goals but their coach is Brazilian Carlos Alberto Pereira, a World Cup winning player and coach. Their most famous players are Benni McCarthy who is their all-time top scorer and Steven Pienaar their current Player of the Year who plays for Everton.

Not strong overall and only advantage is as host on home ground. Chances of going through each round: 2nd 30%, Q-F @ 10%, SF @ 5%, Final @ 1% and to win cup @ 0.5%.

Mexico (El Tri - tri-colour of Mexican flag) - Most famous player is Rafael Marquez of Barcelona. Mexico is famous for Tequila not soccer but their people love it. They play an attractive game and who would forget Hugo Sanchez and their colourful supporters with those large Marichi hats. They also have an exciting upstart in Javier Hernandez. Their chances of going to the 2nd Round is 50%, then 25% to make the Q-Finals, more than halved to 10% to make semis, maybe 2% to make Final and 1% to win it.

Uruguay (La Celeste - The Sky Blue) - 2 times winner who either play very well or badly but they are tough as nails. They are inconsistent but can be unpredictable. Their most famous player is Diego Forlan (formerly Man Utd) twice winner of European Golden Boot. Their chance ratings are: 2nd Rd @ 60%, QF @ 30%, SF @ 15%, Final @ 5% and Win @ 2.5%.

France (Les Bleus - The Blues) -Have a great team on paper but haven't been playing to their real potential. French players are sought after. They do not seem to have good relationship and I think their weakest link is their coach Raymond Domenech. Thiery Henry is their all-time top scorer. Patrick Veira is an old hand. Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) is highly rated and so is striker Karim Benzema (Real) and Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea). Besides foie gras, wine and all the nice food, France can play. In recent times, they have a habit of starting slow. They do not seem too motivated. I give their ratings as: 2nd Rd - 70%, QF - 35%, SF - 17%, Final - 9% and Win @ 5%.

To Go Through To Second Round: South Africa could be the first host nation to not go into the second round. France though not as impressive are too good. Uruguay and Mexico are about level. I'm going with France and South Africa to continue that tradition of host as they have Carlos Alberto and never underestimate the power of the home crowd.

Group B

Argentina (Albicelestes - White and SKy Blue) - a 2 time winner. Haven't been as impressive as they should really be. Their strength is in midfield where they have the experienced Sebastian Veron, the world's best player Lionel Messi and defensive lynchpin Javier Mascherano. Carlos Teves is in the form of his life for Man City and then there is Aguero. Maradona was a great player but he does not look like he is a great coach. Chance rating: 2nd Rd - 95%, Qf - 70%, SF - 50%, Final - 30%, Win - 20%. Argentina will do the Tango and I rate them so highly for Messi alone.

Nigeria (Super Eagles) - They have strong, athletic player with their famous one being former Newcatle Utd ace Obafemi Martins. They were the first African team to win Olympic gold. Their chances: 2nd Rd - 50%, Qf - 20%, Sf - 10%, Final - 3%, Win - 1%.

South Korea (Taeguk Warriors) - Koreans are warriors. Look at K J Choi and Y E Tang in golf and their previous World Cup on home soil. Then Park Ji Sung at Man Utd. They have high work rate, diligent and industrious but they may lack strength in depth. They have great wingers but the gap between say Park Ji Sung and other replacement may be too big. I would like them to do well as they are Asia's representative. Chances: 2nd Rd - 30%, Qf - 12%, Semi- 4%, Final - 1% and Win - 0.5%.

Greece (To Piratiko - Pirate Ship) - Greeks were great Olympians. Then they shocked the world with an unfancied team to triumph in Europe. They play with fitness and a tight game with solid defence. A bit of anti-football and they rely on set pieces as their source for goals. German coach Otto Rehhagel is their most lethal weapon. They have a good playmaker in Karagounis, a strong defender in Liverpool's Kyrgiakos and have an unknown but promising player call Ninis.

To Go Through To Second Round: Argentina for sure though Maradona has not proven to be very good but if Messi plays for Singapore, even we can win the world cup. The Greeks were Greece Lightning when they conquered Europe at the time when everyone was tired not this time. Nigeria is a strong contender but never discount South Korea for they are warriors. Argentina for sure and I'm banking on a Korean surprise. Possible? Remember 2002 and Y.E. Yang?

Group C

England (The Three Lions) - Like Spain, underachievers for a long time. They have a first rate coach in manager Fabio Capello. Their strength is in defence but they can get careless at times. Glen Johnson can pose a real threat going forward but is suspect at the back and Ashley Cole's recovery is critical. Rio Ferdinand can play the ball at the world stage and John Terry though slow reads the game well, is intimidating and is deadly at set pieces. If Gerrard, Gareth Barry and Lampard can transform their club form, Joe Cole is back to his best and speedy wingers like Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright Philips and Theo Walcott can wreak havoc, it strengthens their case. Wayne Rooney remains their best hope and he is in form. Chances of going through Round 2 is 90%, Q-Finals = 60%, Semi-Finals = 40%, Final = 20% and Winning it = 10%.

USA (The Yanks) - Do not underestimate the Yankees. Nobody in the world could beat Spain but them. Their most regconizable players are Tim Howard who plays at goal for Everton, Landon Donovan of L.A. Galaxy and a brief spell in the EPL and Fulham's Clinton Dempsey. Chance Ratings: 2nd Rd - 68%, QF - 34%, Semi - 17%, Final - 6% and Win: 2%.

Algeria (Les Fennecs - Desert Foxes) - They have a young squad and a transformed team. They are now playing more as a team than as individuals. Algeria are poor travellers and only seems to do well at home. To be honest, I do not know their players. Chances: 2nd Rd - 12%, QF - 4%, SF - 1%, Final - 0.20%, Win: 0%.

Slovenia (Zmajceki - Dragons) - Formerly a part of Yugoslavia. Has a strong defence. Lacking strength in depth. Their most recognizable player is their captain Robert Koren who plays for WBA in England.

To Go Through To Second Round: England for sure as I dare not offend their many supporters but I still love the Three Lions. Two reasons - Fabio Capello and Wayne Rooney. England's greatest concern is their opener v the USA. The US was the only team that has beaten Spain, remember that. Both will also go through.

Group D

Germany (Die Mannschaft - The Team) - Gary Lineker said: Soccer is a game with 22 players chasing a ball and at the end the German wins. But things are changing these days. They have a good coach in Joachim Loew and some fine players like Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose. I love German beers like Erdinger but I can't think that they will win the World Cup this time but never rule them out. Chances: 2nd Rd - 75%, Qf - 50%, SF - 30%, Final - 12%, Win - 7%.

Australia (Socceroos) - The Socceroos are an organized side. They have experienced and good players plying their trade in Europe and a decent defence. Their main star is now Tim Cahill who is talismanic even for Everton but once you stop Cahill who can they turn to for the goals? Goalie Mark Schwarger is also very reliable as can be seen in Fulham colours as well. Harry Kewell who fromerly played for Liverpool is with Galatasaray in Turkey. Can be breathtaking at times but lack consistency. Australia can score in the beer drinking charts in 4 weeks in South Africa and though I would like them to progress since they play in the Asian zone I am not so sure. Chances: 2nd Rd - 50%, Qf - 25%, SF - 10%, Final - 4%, Win - 2%.

Serbia (Beli Orlovi - White Eagles) - Man Utd star Nemanja Vidic is a Serb and so is Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic. Based on these two, they have a commanding backline and both are dangerous at set pieces. There is over-reliance on Stankovic in midfield and a lack of a genuine goal scorers resulting on a dependence solely on the very able Milan Jovanovic for goals. Chances: 2nd Rd - 50%, Qf - 25%, SF - 10%, Final - 4% and Win - 2%.

Ghana (The Black Stars) - Ghana was the first African team to qualify. They have a great midfield think Michael Essien of Chelsea and a good goalie in Richard Kingson who plays for Wigan. Another fine player is Muntari who plays for Inter (formerly played in EPL) and capable of long thunderous strikes. Chances: 2nd Rd - 40%, Qf - 20%, Sf - 5%, Final - 2%, Win - 1%.

To Go Through To Second Round - Gary Lineker is right. Germany has progressed even with medicore teams, no different here. I'd love to see the Socceroos go in and Serbia can be tough to beat but Ghana should be strong enough to that second berth.

Group E

Netherlands (Oranje) - The Dutch plays great soccer especially the 70s with their "Total Football" from Cruyff and Neeskens to Rijkard, Gullit and Marco van Basten. The Dutch are technically brilliant and offensively world class or close but defensively they may be short. They haven't been really tested during the qualifiers. They can sometimes self-destruct by fighting among themselves as evident in the past and is only better than Joey Barton who can fight with himself in an empty room. Their current stars are Arjen Robben (ex Chelsea now Bayern Munich), Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robbie van Persie (Arsenal), Wesley Sneijder (Inter). Chances: 2nd Rd - 85%, Qf - 65%, Sf - 35%, Final - 20% and Win - 10%.

Denmark (Olsens Elleve) - I love Denmark. Small like Singapore and a dynamite. do you rememner Olsen and the Laudrup brothers Brian and Michael? They have a team those days that played electrifying soccer. The current team works more like a collective side that is hard to break. Their main pick as forwards are Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal) and Jon Dahl Tomasson. Other players to watch is midfielder Jakob Poulsen and goalie Thomas Sorensen who plays for Stoke City. In Morten Olsen is a legend as a player and coach to the Danish. Chances: 2nd Rd - 50%, Qf - 25%. Sf - 10%, Final - 5%, Win - 2%.

Japan (Blue Samurai) - The essence of Japan is team work. They used to have excellent midfielders like Nakata, Nakamura and Ono. They have skill, speed and devotion. No doubt kingpins in Asia but they may struggle with African opposition or very physical teams. Their biggest name is Nakamura who used to play for Celtic and now in La Liga for Espanyol. Chances: 2nd Rd - 30%, Qf - 15%, Sf - 7%, Final - 2%, Win - 0.8%.

Cameroon (Lions Indomptables) - The most famous African team in the World Cup. Do you remember the era of Roger Milla? Now they have one of the world's top striker in Samuel Etoo. Their weaknesses seems to be their age. Rigobert Song is still around. Kameni keeps the traditional of the Indomitable Lions great goal keeping tradition alive, M'bia is a sound midfielder but it is Etoo is going to be the key. An amazing striker. Chances: 2nd Rd - 35%, Qf - 18%, Sf - 9%, Final - 3%, Win - 1%.

To Go Through To Second Round - This could be the most intriguing group. The Oranje are odds on. Cameroon gave fresh perspective in previous world cups and have one of the finest strikers in Samuel Etoo but they may need more than that. The Danish are well organised and Japan can surprise. Netherlands and Denmark for me.

Group F

Italy (Azzurri - Sky Blues) - You cannot ignore tradition at the World Cup. You know who are the big boys and alongside Brazil, Germany and Argentina, Italy counts among them as they are only second to Brazil. They are the defending champions too but four years is a long time. Marcello Lippi is a great coach who has won everything and who favours team over individual. Italy always have a solid defence. They are very tactical and have good technical abilities. Unfortunately, they do not seem to possess a very decisive striker who could do damage on his own. Goalie Gigi Buffon of Juventus is one of the world's best. Fabio Cannavaro was a star at last World Cup but their top dog defender is now Juventus's Giorgio Chielini who could be a star. Milan's Andrea Pirlo is an excellent offensive playmaker and is key to their success. Chances: 2nd Rd - 85%, Qf - 50%, Sf - 25%, Final - 10%, Win - 5%.

Paraguay (La Albirroja - White/Red) - You'll be surprised that they qualified behind Brazil and Chile and ahead of Argentina and Uruguay and was the best team during the first half of qualifying rounds! They play a counter-attacking game built from a solid defence. Can be tough for some stronger teams but they are not good at keeping the ball. They play a tactical game and can be good at set pieces. The athletic Cabanas is a top striker - a natural goalscorer who can also create. The other is Valdez, a more physical type with good technique. Another to watch is Riveros an all rounder midfielder not forgetting Man City's Roque Santa Cruz. Chances: 2nd Rd - 68%, Qf - 30%, Sf - 8%, Final - 3%, Win - 1%.

New Zealand (All Whites) - It is remarkable for a nation that has more sheep than people to make it here for the second time (last was 1982). The All conquering All Blacks with Hakka dance/chant routine are the All Whites in soccer and the way they conquered Bahrain which is Asia's fifth best team to gain entry was quite amazing. They are strong in that they are physical. I love New Zealand and being there is an amazing result itself. They totally lack depth and experience even sparring time. I knew only their captain Ryan Nelson who plays for Blackburn Rovers. No doubt he will have a busy time but I will be rooting for this underdog. Chances: 2nd Rd - 4.5%, Qf - 1%, Sf - 0%, Final - 0%, Win - 0%.

Slovakia (Repre) - They were a part of the former Czechoslovakia. Had a great qualifier to make it here for the first time as an independent nation. Their strength is in defence. Think Martin Skrtel of Liverpool. They will lack strength in depth but they could score. Has a gifted midfielder in Hamsik who plays in Italy. Chances: 2nd Rd - 40%, Qf - 10%, Sf - 2%, Final - 1%, Win - 0.5%.

To Go Through To Second Round - Italy has not been playing too well but hey it's the World Cup! Slovakia is a good team while Paraguay can be really good. I love NZ and hope they have a good time. I'll pick Italy and Paraguay.

Group G

Brazil (Selecao - Selection or Canarinhos (Canary)) - Ah Brazil. Look at their gold/yellow jersey and you will see five stars there meaning they have won five World Cups. They are blessed with natural flowing skills honed from the Copacabana beaches and the streets. Always a delight to watch. They keep possession very well and when they lose the ball they get it back quickly. Brazil defends much further up from the defensive line as they keep pressure on opponents for the ball. Deadly from set pieces, lightning fast counters led by Kaka but may sometimes struggle against teams who don't wish to play by sitting back to defend in numbers to frustrate them. Coach Dunga has produced good results but he was more of a destroyer than creator in his playing days and with vast experience in Europe he adopts a different and more rigid and controlled game for Brazil. 2007 World Best Player Kaka is their best player in this team. Their top scorer now is Luis Fabiano of Sevilla and they have a young Pato who could surprise. Inter goalie Julio Cesar is their safest pair of hands since the days of their great Taffarel but when you watch Brazil in a world cup no one cares or notice about their goalie. World Cup to Brazil is like their Rio Carnival. Beautiful women dancing in the stands could be a reason their opponents see stars and falter. Chances: @nd Rd - 98%, Qf - 75%, Sf - 60%, FInal - 40%, Win - 30%.

North Korea (Chollima - Mystical Horse) - Mysterious and may surprise as they may be shot dead by Kim Jong Il if they don't perform. They shocked the world by beating giants Italy 1-0 then proceeded to lead Portugal 3-0 before the Eusebio-led Portugal came to win 5-3 in 1966. The current team plays with a strong 5-men backline. They counter-attack quickly but lack firepower up front. I know only one player who is called their Rooney or Drogba and he is Jong Tae-se who plays in Japan. Chances: 2nd Rd - 5%, Qf - 1%, Sf - 0.5%, Final - 0%, Win - 0%. I can't imgaine if the North meets the South. Besides the politics, the commentators will be all at sea trying to figure out the names. Kim pass to Kim and Park tackles Park. Choi is not Choi.

Ivory Coast (Les Elephants) - Didier Drogba, the name itself says it all. There are other bright players like Chelsea's Salomon Kalou, Manchester City's Kolo Toure and his brother Yahya Toure of Barcelona. They have fire and power up front for sure but their players are buidling up ego and they look like some past Dutch teams because when people have big ego they fight. Chances: 2nd Rd - 55%, Qf - 25%, Sf - 12%, Final - 5%, Win - 2%.

Portugal (Selecao das Quinos - Team of Five Shields) - They had a golden generation of Luis Figo, Fernando Coute, Vitor Baia and Rui Costa. Portugal has a solid defence led by Real Madrid's Pepe and Chelsea's Carvalho and a fine fullback in Chelsea's Bosingwa. On the wings they have Simao and Nani (Man Utd). Cristiano Ronaldo is their main star. They don't seem to be getting the goals during the qualifiers. Chances: 2nd Rd - 55%, Qf - 25%, Sf - 15%, Final - 7%, Win - 3%.

To Go Through To Second Round - Can North Korea surprise again to repeat a 1966 to bring us back in time? Portugal is good on paper but they nearly miss qualification. Ivory Coast is probably the strongest African team and playing in their own continent they must fancy a chance. Brazil is hopeless and will miss the second round. Haha, of course not. It has to be Brazil then a toss up between Ivory Coast and Portugal. I expect Didier Drogba to carry Ivory Coast through.

Group H

Spain (La Furia Roja - Red Fury) - Always good but under-achieving and finally they proved thier mettle as European Champs. Nobody has beaten them until the USA did. They were the only team that top FIFA's ranking without winning the World Cup. Think Barcelona who is like in a different league of their own. Spain plays at the same tempo and keeps possession moving the ball around comfortably. Coach Vincente Del Bosque knows his stuff and built his midfield around Barcelona stars Andreas Iniesta and Xavi. The team boasts real firepower in David Silva, David Villa who's a great international scorer and in Liverpool's Fernando Torres they have one of the world's top strikers. Spain's weakness is that they can be frustrated into suffering. When teams use a direct, physical approach and set pieces or even play dirty they may not know how not to lose if they can't win. So as good as they come it may be easier to beat Spain then say Brazil though Spain could be better than Brazil in this World Cup. Gerard Pique has been a top defender for Barcelona and Spain. Was he not released by Manchester United? Why? Xavi Hernandez is the brain of the side and very capable others like Iniesta, Xavi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas to choose from. Any team that has Fabregas and he sits on the bench then it is a great team. I think Torresd and Villa strike pair can take the world by storm. Chances: 2nd Rd - 95%, Qf - 65%, Sf - 45%, Final -30%, Win - 20%. Spain will be there as favourites but this time as serious contender but quite often a favourite has never won the world cup.

Switzerland (Schweizer Nati) - Being a small nation, it is not easy to go to the world cup but being world champions in making cuckoo clocks and watches isn't easy either. I only knew about Senderos and Alexander Frei. The Swiss seems to struggle against weaker teams and play better against stronger oppositions. But Ottmar Hitzfeld is a famous coach with credentials. Chances: 2nd Rd - 30%, Qf - 10%, Sf - 5%, Final - 2% and Win - 0.5%.

Honduras (Los Catrachos) - They came in thrid behind the USA and Mexico in the CONCACAF. They have a sound defence and quick players to launch counter-attacks. David Suazo who plays for Inter is their hope while Carlos Pavon is the all- time top scorer but may be too old to make a major impact. Chances: 2nd Rd - 30%, Qf - 10%, Sf -4%, Final - 1%, Win - 0.3%.

Chile (La Roja - The Reds) - Chile has never been in the league of Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay but are good enough to qualify. Very attack oriented team and attractive to watch but this same offensive style can cause leaks in defence. Their players to watch are Suazo and Sanchez. Chances: 2nd Rd - 40%, Qf - 15%, Sf -7%, Final - 2%. Win - 1%.

To Go Through To Second Round - Honduras will prop up the stands. The Swiss will make themselves proud but it shall be Espanol and Chile. Don't ask why I pick Spain, enough written about them.

I will give you the lowdown on the next permutation on who plays who leading to the Final and some information on certain teams and individuals. Meantime here is how it looks:

Group A - France, South Africa

Group B - Argentina, South Korea

Group C - England, USA

Group D - Germany, Ghana

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark

Group F - Italy, Paraguay

Group G - - Brazil, Ivory Coast

Group H - Spain, Chile

Do you agree with me? What are your views?