Alarums, Alarums, To Arms, To Arms!
6 years ago
"God is a comedian
playing to an audience
that is too terrified to laugh."--Voltaire
Group A -- South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, FranceIt's a pretty formidable array of talented sides, and great traditions. History and tradition suggest Argentina, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Brazil and Spain are pretty much locks for the next round. The other 9 spots should be hotly contested. Of all the traditional "powers," France, who played poorly throughout the qualifiers, and only won their spot by a cheat, seem the most vulnerable, even in a relatively weak group. Ghana is the strongest African side, and could advance, too. I doubt the home-side (South Africa) can get past the Group stages.
Group B -- Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C -- England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D -- Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E -- Holland, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F -- Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G -- Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H -- Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland
The US have a good chance to advance, since two sides from each group go on to the round of 16. Those matches begin June 26:
Match 5, June 12 1930: England v USA (Rustenburg)
Match 6, June 13 1230: Algeria v Slovenia (Polokwane)
Match 22, June 18 1500: Slovenia v USA (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 23, June 18 1930: England v Algeria (Cape Town)
Match 37, June 23 1500: Slovenia v England (Port Elizabeth)
Match 38, June 23 1500: USA v Algeria (Pretoria)
t is difficult to foresee the USer side beating England to win Group C, but they could be runner up. The USer team is ranked 14 in the world, and COULD advance to the Quarters, but it will take luck, skill, and more luck...
Match 49, June 26 1500: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (Port Elizabeth)
Match 50, June 26 1930: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D (Rustenburg)
Match 51, June 27 1500: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C (Bloemfontein)
Match 52, June 27 1930: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 53, June 28 1500: Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F (Durban)
Match 54, June 28 1930: Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 55, June 29 1500: Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E (Pretoria)
Match 56, June 29 1930: Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G (Cape Town)