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Feature
12
The greatest show on earth brings together 32 countries to battle it out to take away the
World Game’s
greatest prize. Yet despite the possibility of a fairytale finish for one of the
less fancied teams, since it began in 1930 the World Cup has only been won by 7 countries.
Brazil, with 5 wins, leads the pack from Italy (4 wins), Germany (3 wins), Argentina and
Uruquay each with 2 wins. The only other countries that have won are England and France.
Could this be the year that another nation takes the trophy or will one of the previous
winners reign supreme?
With the World Cup less than two months away, Touchline has taken out its
crystal ball
and come up with the following predictions for the world cup. You may not agree, but only
time will tell if we are right!
Group A
Group Prediction
World Ranking
France
8
Mexico
17
Uruguay
18
South Africa
88
Hosts out in first round
There will be no fairy tale story in Group A. South Africa are the
second lowest ranked team of the tournament and their recent
results do not suggest anything is going to change soon. France,
who were winners in 1998 and runners-up in 2006, appear to be
group favourites, but Raymond Domenech’s side only reached the
finals through the European play-offs, after the “hand of Henry”
incident that beat the Republic of Ireland. However, Mexico are
strong contenders for top spot and may just pip the French. Either
way, the liklihood is that Uruguay will be heading for an early
exit.
Star players
Thierry Henry (FRA), Florent Malouda (FRA), Franck Ribery (FRA),
Giovanni dos Santos (MEX).
Group C
Group Prediction
World Ranking
England
7
USA
16
Slovenia
29
Algeria
27
Could this be England’s cup?
England go into their 13th World Cup as favourites to finish top
and to progress further than they have at any time since winning
the trophy in 1966. Yet so often hopes are high before the team
splutters to a disappointing conclusion. Could 2010 be different?
Certainly impressive in the qualifying stages, but they may not
have everything their own way. The USA have upset England
before and should progress, but it is unlikely they will top the
group. Slovenia and Algeria are more than makeweights and may
yet surprise the big two by taking the odd point off them, but the
end result is little in doubt.
Star players
Wayne Rooney (ENG), Frank Lampard
(ENG), Steven Gerrard (ENG), Landon
Donovan (USA), Tim Howard
(USA).
Countdown to the World Cup
Group B
Group Prediction
World Ranking
Argentina
9
Nigeria
22
Greece
11
South Korea
49
Argentina come good
This group has pitted two-time winners Argentina against Nigeria,
South Korea and Greece. Although Argentina were unimpressive
in the qualifying stages Diego Maradona’s squad has a host
of world-class talent that should make progression to the knock
out stages a certainty. Whilst Greece would appear on paper to be
possible runners up in the group, the likely result is that Nigeria
show their flair to take second spot. Unfortunately, for South
Korea, Asia’s most frequent participant in the World Cup, they
look to be out after the first round.
Star players
Lionel Messi (ARG), Carlos Tevez (ARG), Juan Veron (ARG),
Obafemi Martins (NIG).
Group Stage Predictions:
F