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Cape Town Countdown D-8: Top 10 World Cup Group Of Death Prospects
With the draw fast approaching, what would the toughest setup be?
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Nov 27, 2009 11:50:58 AM
The World Cup draw takes place on Friday December 4th, LIVE on Goal.com, with all the countries eager to receive a favourable draw in the group stage.
The Goal.com team in South Africa will capture the tension and the excitement first hand, but until the fateful day, it's all about speculation.
Right now we have only a provisional idea of what the seedings pots will look like. They are as follows:
With that in mind, what would ten of the toughest groups be, and why?
10) The Azzurri Nightmare
Italy - Netherlands - South Korea - Chile
Plenty of bad blood here. Italy-Chile '62 still lingers in the memory of many in both countries; the Azzurri need revenge for their 3-0 loss to the Dutch at Euro 2008; and never get an Italian started on the World Cup of 2002, or you'll never hear the end of it.
9) The Star Men
Argentina - Portugal - Mexico - Ivory Coast
For individual talent, look no further. Consider Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba all in the one group, and from Mexico, the enigmatic figure of Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
8) The Unknown Quantity
South Africa - Slovenia - North Korea - Algeria
These are the teams that have even seasoned observers of the international game scratching their heads. South Africa, easily the weakest of the Pot 1 groups, at least have the element of surprise about them; Slovenia have the same, although they are winning respect in Europe; virtually no North Korean players are known outside Pyongyang; and Algeria are the most unsung of all Pot 4.
7) The Fervent Fans
England - Serbia - Australia - Algeria
For loud atmosphere, look no further. These fans are guaranteed to create atmosphere, for better or worse, both in the stadiums and on the streets, and matches between them could well be fraught affairs. Still, without such atmosphere the Cup would be much poorer.
6) The Crazy Coaches
Argentina - Greece - North Korea - Chile
Watch the touchlines, for there can be more drama there than on the pitch. Diego Maradona needs no introduction; Otto Rehhagel is under pressure and may bust out a surprise; North Korea's Kim Jong-hun is sent to the stands pretty much on a monthly basis; and Marcelo Bielsa is still the same old character he always was...
5) The Derby Fever
Spain - Portugal - Mexico - Chile
Spain and Portugal are, of course, a convincing local derby, but with several Chileans and Mexicans plying their trade in La Liga in particular, there is much local interest among these countries, three of which as Hispanophone.
4) The Big Hitters
Brazil - Portugal - Mexico - Nigeria
Although some of these teams are in the midst of tough times - Portugal and Nigeria in particular - each one carries prestige above their pot. The reputation of each precedes them, and the Portuguese in particular have proved in recent times that form goes out the window at the big tournaments. This is a group full of teams with something to prove.
3) The Defenders
Germany - Netherlands - Australia - Cameroon
The teams with some of the best defensive records from their respective qualification pots would square off here. However, questions may be asked of the Dutch and the Australians, or more accurately of the quality of their groupmates. Germany would feel bound to qualify, but the counter-attacking quality in this pool is not to be sniffed at.
2) The High Scorers
Spain - Serbia - USA - Chile
For goals, look no further. Spain barrelled home no fewer than 28 in 10 games during their 100% march towards qualification from UEFA; Serbia could only manage 22 but have a wealth of attacking talent. The USA, meanwhile, outscored all in their confederation. As for Chile? They don't do things by halves, both scoring many and conceding a lot, too. 32 goals and 22 conceded in qualification means they're the ones to watch for penalty box action.
1) The Ranking Kings
Spain - Netherlands - USA - Ivory Coast
This group is composed purely off the FIFA rankings. Spain are top, the Netherlands are third, the USA 14th, and the Ivory Coast 16th. That makes for one powerful group, at least if the statisticians are correct.
Which of the groups above would be the hardest? Or do you have your own idea of a group of death? Let us know!
The Goal.com team in South Africa will capture the tension and the excitement first hand, but until the fateful day, it's all about speculation.
Right now we have only a provisional idea of what the seedings pots will look like. They are as follows:
| Pot 1 |
Pot 2 (UEFA Pot) |
 South Africa (CAF - as hosts) |
 Netherlands (UEFA) |
 Germany (UEFA) |
 Portugal (UEFA) |
 Brazil (CONMEBOL) |
 Switzerland (UEFA) |
 Italy (UEFA) |
 Greece (UEFA) |
 Spain (UEFA) |
 Serbia (UEFA) |
 England (UEFA) |
 Denmark (UEFA) |
 France (UEFA) |
 Slovakia (UEFA) |
 Argentina (CONMEBOL) |
 Slovenia (UEFA) |
| Pot 3 |
Pot 4 |
 Mexico (CONCACAF) |
 Paraguay (CONMEBOL) |
 USA (CONCACAF) |
 Ghana (CAF) |
 South Korea (AFC) |
 Cameroon (CAF) |
 Japan (AFC) |
 Cote d'Ivoire (CAF) |
 Australia (AFC) |
 Nigeria (CAF) |
 Honduras (CONCACAF) |
 Uruguay (CONMEBOL) |
 New Zealand (OFC) |
 Algeria (CAF) |
 North Korea (AFC) |
 Chile (CONMEBOL) |
With that in mind, what would ten of the toughest groups be, and why?
10) The Azzurri Nightmare
Italy - Netherlands - South Korea - Chile
Plenty of bad blood here. Italy-Chile '62 still lingers in the memory of many in both countries; the Azzurri need revenge for their 3-0 loss to the Dutch at Euro 2008; and never get an Italian started on the World Cup of 2002, or you'll never hear the end of it.
9) The Star Men
Argentina - Portugal - Mexico - Ivory Coast
For individual talent, look no further. Consider Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba all in the one group, and from Mexico, the enigmatic figure of Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
8) The Unknown Quantity
South Africa - Slovenia - North Korea - Algeria
These are the teams that have even seasoned observers of the international game scratching their heads. South Africa, easily the weakest of the Pot 1 groups, at least have the element of surprise about them; Slovenia have the same, although they are winning respect in Europe; virtually no North Korean players are known outside Pyongyang; and Algeria are the most unsung of all Pot 4.
7) The Fervent Fans
England - Serbia - Australia - Algeria
For loud atmosphere, look no further. These fans are guaranteed to create atmosphere, for better or worse, both in the stadiums and on the streets, and matches between them could well be fraught affairs. Still, without such atmosphere the Cup would be much poorer.
6) The Crazy Coaches
Argentina - Greece - North Korea - Chile
Watch the touchlines, for there can be more drama there than on the pitch. Diego Maradona needs no introduction; Otto Rehhagel is under pressure and may bust out a surprise; North Korea's Kim Jong-hun is sent to the stands pretty much on a monthly basis; and Marcelo Bielsa is still the same old character he always was...
5) The Derby Fever
Spain - Portugal - Mexico - Chile
Spain and Portugal are, of course, a convincing local derby, but with several Chileans and Mexicans plying their trade in La Liga in particular, there is much local interest among these countries, three of which as Hispanophone.
4) The Big Hitters
Brazil - Portugal - Mexico - Nigeria
Although some of these teams are in the midst of tough times - Portugal and Nigeria in particular - each one carries prestige above their pot. The reputation of each precedes them, and the Portuguese in particular have proved in recent times that form goes out the window at the big tournaments. This is a group full of teams with something to prove.
3) The Defenders
Germany - Netherlands - Australia - Cameroon
The teams with some of the best defensive records from their respective qualification pots would square off here. However, questions may be asked of the Dutch and the Australians, or more accurately of the quality of their groupmates. Germany would feel bound to qualify, but the counter-attacking quality in this pool is not to be sniffed at.
2) The High Scorers
Spain - Serbia - USA - Chile
For goals, look no further. Spain barrelled home no fewer than 28 in 10 games during their 100% march towards qualification from UEFA; Serbia could only manage 22 but have a wealth of attacking talent. The USA, meanwhile, outscored all in their confederation. As for Chile? They don't do things by halves, both scoring many and conceding a lot, too. 32 goals and 22 conceded in qualification means they're the ones to watch for penalty box action.
1) The Ranking Kings
Spain - Netherlands - USA - Ivory Coast
This group is composed purely off the FIFA rankings. Spain are top, the Netherlands are third, the USA 14th, and the Ivory Coast 16th. That makes for one powerful group, at least if the statisticians are correct.
Which of the groups above would be the hardest? Or do you have your own idea of a group of death? Let us know!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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