DEC 7 — Last night’s World Cup Finals draw has heightened the expectation for next summer’s festivities in Brazil, enticing us to start thinking about who will beat who and how.
Of course, we have to bear in mind that the big kick off is still seven months away, and the success of the competing nations will be significantly affected by injuries, fatigue and form between now and then, so it’s almost impossible to make meaningful predictions at this early stage.
But forget all that sensible stuff. The draw has been made, so let’s go group by group and predict the qualifiers. Ready to disagree?
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Far from a straightforward passage for the hosts, who face three potentially dangerous teams. Croatia, in particular, possess a bundle of talented players who could trouble the Samba stars.
However, let’s face it: this group is a question of Brazil plus one other — although they might slip up once, it’s inconceivable to think they won’t pick up enough points to progress, almost certainly as group winners as well.
Mexico struggled through qualifying and look like they should be a better team than they are, but there’s little time now to put things right.
Qualifying: Brazil and Croatia
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia.
The Group of Death, opening up a real possibility that World Cup holders Spain will not progress beyond the group stage. The Netherlands were magnificent in qualifying and could have a very strong tournament if they put aside their usual internal squabbles.
Chile will be regarded as outsiders by many people but write them off at your peril: they contain terrific individuals such as Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez, and work together very hard as a team. But they still probably won’t have enough.
And Australia could well go home without a single point.
Qualifying: Spain and Netherlands
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Like Chile, Colombia are another South American team who could go a long way into the competition and they’ve been handed a pleasant start with an easily navigable group.
The Ivory Coast have been one of Africa’s strongest nations for a long time now, and they should be good enough to see off the relatively weak opposition of Greece and Japan — who won’t score many goals between them but won’t concede many either.
Qualifying: Colombia and Ivory Coast
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Uh-oh. England are staring at a first round exit after a horrible draw. Italy are Italy — they always scrape their way through to the latter stages without playing particularly well before finding their rhythm later in the tournament.
And with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani onboard, Uruguay possess arguably the most dangerous strike partnership in the world.
England’s best hope is to beat Costa Rica well, sneak draws against Italy and Uruguay and hope that’s enough. But it probably won’t be.
Qualifying: Italy and Uruguay
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Lucky old France. First they somehow manage to pull themselves back from a 2-0 deficit in their play-off against Ukraine and then they’re handed a route into the last 16 by being placed in the Group of Life.
Switzerland are not a bad team and can challenge to win the group, but Honduras are poor and Ecuador will probably lack the necessary firepower.
Any coincidence, I wonder, that two of the most powerful administrators in the world — Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter — are French and Swiss? Hmm…
Qualifying: France and Switzerland
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Argentina could easily win the World Cup if they can harness their stupendous attacking talent — Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Higuain, Di Maria — into a coherent team.
And they’ve got every chance of doing so in a group of lightweights who should allow them to use the first phase as an extended training session.
Nigeria’s energy should be enough to overcome Bosnia, and Iran will finish last.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Jurgen Klinsmann against Germany! That’s the game to capture the imagination as the former striker coaches the USA into a tough and intriguing group also containing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal
Germany should win the group without too many troubles and after that it’s a straight fight for second place between three teams with differing merits. The Ronaldo factor may well be enough for the Portuguese.
Qualifying: Germany and Portugal
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Belgium would be the dark horses for the World Cup but for the fact that everyone says they are dark horses, which thereby propels them into the status of one of the leading contenders. This group doesn’t present them with too many difficulties.
Joining them? Algeria — who will then become the surprise package of the tournament by knocking out Germany, France and Italy en route to the final, where they’ll beat Argentina 5-4 after extra time. You heard it here first.
Qualifying: Belgium and Algeria.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
