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World Cup Debate: Top 10 Contenders For South Africa 2010?
Gregory Sica provides readers with a list of who he thinks are the top.10 World Cup contenders.
Sep 15, 2009 5:25:04 PM
1. Brazil
The Selecao are the favorites to win a record sixth World Cup heading in South Africa. With their heroic victory over Chile last week, they extended their winning streak to 11 matches and their unbeaten run to 19. Brazil are highly motivated, particularly after cruising past arch-rivals Argentina as they qualified for another World Cup. Dunga has assembled a formidable unit that will be disappointed with anything less than another World Cup title.
2. Spain
The European champions crushed Estonia 3-0 to claim their eighth straight victory in the World Cup qualifiers. Spain are solid in every department and the fact that they have scored 21 goals and have conceded only two clearly explains their depth. However, their highly unexpected defeat to the U.S in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup means maybe they aren't as good as they think. Can Spain finally break into the elite of world football?
3. Germany
When it comes to the World Cup, irrespective of form, the Germans are always candidates. The fact that they are flying high in the qualifiers means they will surely be at their best in South Africa. Joachim Low has put together a side mixed with youth and experience that plays an attractive style of football. Germany will be aiming to better their runners up performance at Euro 2008 when in South Africa.
4. England
For the first time in many years England can be considered serious World Cup contenders. Fabio Capello has been able to get the most out of a talented group of players and they have claimed eight successive victories in World Cup qualifying, including an emphatic 5-1 win over Croatia at Wembley. The Three Lions are as confident as ever, but how will they fancy against difficult teams like Brazil, Germany and Spain?
5. Italy
The world champions will be looking to equal Brazil's five World Cup triumphs next year, and nobody should bet against them. The Italians have proved time and time again that even if they don't count with an impressive squad, when it comes to the World Cup they always surpass their expectations with very efficient tactical football. The Azzurri may have struggled in the Confederations Cup, but if they improve their game they could possibly be candidates.
6. Argentina
Argentina have a great deal of work to do if they want to qualify for the World Cup, let alone win it. Los Albicelestes have experienced several major setbacks under Diego Maradona and will need to claim positive results against Peru and Uruguay to qualify. If they manage to do this, and Diego Maradona finds a way to get the most out of Lionel Messi and the rest of his players, Argentina could return to being the side that they once used to be.
7. Ivory Coast
If there was ever a time for an African nation to win the World Cup, it is now. Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana all look very strong, but it seems that the Ivory Coast are the most likely African nation to make a stand in South Africa. The fact that they will be familiarized with the conditions in the country means it will improve their chances of reaching the decisive stages of the tournament. Didier Drogba and co. know that anything less than a semi-finals appearance for the Elephants will be regarded as failure.
8. Netherlands
With eight straight wins the Netherlands cruised into the World Cup, and seem to have what it takes to be amongst the favorites. The Oranje are a young side with plenty of potential, however, they have faced rather weak sides during World Cup qualifying and may simply fall apart when up against the traditional heavyweights. Can the Dutch live up to the expectation and show that they are capable of beating the very best?
9. Chile
Marcelo Bielsa has transformed Chilean football for the good, and La Roja could be a revelation at the World Cup. During the South American qualifiers they have been in outstanding form, and have alerted the world with their attractive brand of attacking football. However, Chile have to find consistency or they could bow out from the World Cup when they face a team who know how to take advantage of their vulnerable defense.
10. France
The French haven't been at their best during World Cup qualifying and could miss the World Cup altogether. There's heaps of tension in the French camp, and this has been reflected by poor results. The 1998 World Cup winners know that if they qualify for the World Cup they will have to pick up their game immensely, or they could face early elimination. Les Bleus have lots of potential, and if they find the ideal blend, players like Franck Ribery could turn a lot of heads.
Goal.com asks: Does this list accurately define the top 10 World Cup contenders? Are there any teams who should be ranked higher or lower? Finally, are there any teams who should be excluded from the list and others who should be included in it?
Gregory Sica, Goal.com
For more World Cup news visit Goal.com's World Cup page.
The Selecao are the favorites to win a record sixth World Cup heading in South Africa. With their heroic victory over Chile last week, they extended their winning streak to 11 matches and their unbeaten run to 19. Brazil are highly motivated, particularly after cruising past arch-rivals Argentina as they qualified for another World Cup. Dunga has assembled a formidable unit that will be disappointed with anything less than another World Cup title.
2. Spain
The European champions crushed Estonia 3-0 to claim their eighth straight victory in the World Cup qualifiers. Spain are solid in every department and the fact that they have scored 21 goals and have conceded only two clearly explains their depth. However, their highly unexpected defeat to the U.S in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup means maybe they aren't as good as they think. Can Spain finally break into the elite of world football?
3. Germany
When it comes to the World Cup, irrespective of form, the Germans are always candidates. The fact that they are flying high in the qualifiers means they will surely be at their best in South Africa. Joachim Low has put together a side mixed with youth and experience that plays an attractive style of football. Germany will be aiming to better their runners up performance at Euro 2008 when in South Africa.
4. England
For the first time in many years England can be considered serious World Cup contenders. Fabio Capello has been able to get the most out of a talented group of players and they have claimed eight successive victories in World Cup qualifying, including an emphatic 5-1 win over Croatia at Wembley. The Three Lions are as confident as ever, but how will they fancy against difficult teams like Brazil, Germany and Spain?
5. Italy
The world champions will be looking to equal Brazil's five World Cup triumphs next year, and nobody should bet against them. The Italians have proved time and time again that even if they don't count with an impressive squad, when it comes to the World Cup they always surpass their expectations with very efficient tactical football. The Azzurri may have struggled in the Confederations Cup, but if they improve their game they could possibly be candidates.
6. Argentina
Argentina have a great deal of work to do if they want to qualify for the World Cup, let alone win it. Los Albicelestes have experienced several major setbacks under Diego Maradona and will need to claim positive results against Peru and Uruguay to qualify. If they manage to do this, and Diego Maradona finds a way to get the most out of Lionel Messi and the rest of his players, Argentina could return to being the side that they once used to be.
7. Ivory Coast
If there was ever a time for an African nation to win the World Cup, it is now. Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana all look very strong, but it seems that the Ivory Coast are the most likely African nation to make a stand in South Africa. The fact that they will be familiarized with the conditions in the country means it will improve their chances of reaching the decisive stages of the tournament. Didier Drogba and co. know that anything less than a semi-finals appearance for the Elephants will be regarded as failure.
8. Netherlands
With eight straight wins the Netherlands cruised into the World Cup, and seem to have what it takes to be amongst the favorites. The Oranje are a young side with plenty of potential, however, they have faced rather weak sides during World Cup qualifying and may simply fall apart when up against the traditional heavyweights. Can the Dutch live up to the expectation and show that they are capable of beating the very best?
9. Chile
Marcelo Bielsa has transformed Chilean football for the good, and La Roja could be a revelation at the World Cup. During the South American qualifiers they have been in outstanding form, and have alerted the world with their attractive brand of attacking football. However, Chile have to find consistency or they could bow out from the World Cup when they face a team who know how to take advantage of their vulnerable defense.
10. France
The French haven't been at their best during World Cup qualifying and could miss the World Cup altogether. There's heaps of tension in the French camp, and this has been reflected by poor results. The 1998 World Cup winners know that if they qualify for the World Cup they will have to pick up their game immensely, or they could face early elimination. Les Bleus have lots of potential, and if they find the ideal blend, players like Franck Ribery could turn a lot of heads.
Goal.com asks: Does this list accurately define the top 10 World Cup contenders? Are there any teams who should be ranked higher or lower? Finally, are there any teams who should be excluded from the list and others who should be included in it?
Gregory Sica, Goal.com
For more World Cup news visit Goal.com's World Cup page.
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