The World Cup: Previews and Predictions
by Syon Bhanot, News Editor on April 14, 2010 in Sports
At long last, the World Cup is heading to Africa. As an American who found his passion for the beautiful game in a few dingy bars in Kenya, I think it is fantastic that an African nation will play host to this year’s event. African fans are amongst the world’s most passionate, and the World Cup could not have gone to a more deserving part of the world.
At HKS, the soccer culture is surprisingly vibrant. Dozens of students are followers of clubs in Europe, South America and the US, countless HKSers play in the Harvard indoor soccer league, and many have plans to attend the World Cup this year (including yours truly). Soccer is truly a global sport for a global school.
To make this little rant/preview appeal to everyone, I’m going to provide some basic background for the newbies, and also give my predictions on the tournament (for the already-fans out there). Let’s get straight to it.
How It Works: Thirty-two nations make the World Cup. The countries are placed into eight different “groups” of four for the tournament, and each team plays the other three teams in its group once during the tournament’s “group stage.” A winning team in the group stage match gets three points, a loser gets zero, and a draw means one point for each team. Once all the group stage games are completed, the top two teams in each group (as determined by points earned in the three group games) goes onto the “knockout stage.” Then it’s single elimination, knockout, just like the NCAA tournament. There are no ties in the knockout games – a draw means extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout to determine a winner. In the knockout stage, the 16 teams become 8, then 4, then 2, then 1, and we have our World Cup winner.
Previews and Predictions: Oh boy, the fun part. Some previews, predictions, and players to keep an eye on – they may not always be the stars, but they are key for their team’s success.
Group A – France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay: The French, losers in the finals in 2006 (headbutt, anyone?) should be licking their chops over a pretty easy draw. The hosts are toast though. Players to Watch - Ribery & Gourcuff (France), Forlan (Uruguay), Vela & Marquez (Mexico), Pienaar & Dikgacoi (South Africa); Prediction – Winner: France, Runner-Up: Mexico.
Group B – Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea: Argentina looks good here, but shouldn’t get too cocky – the other teams are solid, and I think South Korea will give them a run for their money. Players to Watch - Messi, Veron, & Di Maria (Argentina), Yakubu (Nigeria), Park & Lee (South Korea), Samaras (Greece); Prediction - Winner: Argentina, Runner-Up: South Korea.
Group C – Algeria, England, Slovenia, USA: The Yanks vs. the Brits. The American Revolution, Part 2. No funny wigs though. Oh, and also the US will get beat this time (though it should be a tight game). Players to Watch - Donovan (USA), Rooney & Gerrard (England), Ziani (Algeria), Novakovic (Slovenia); Prediction - Winner: England, Runner-Up: USA.
Group D – Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia: Though not the recognized “Group of Death,” each team in this group is excellent. Expect the unexpected here. Players to Watch – Schweinsteiger & Ozil (Germany), Essien & Gyan (Ghana), Cahill (Australia), Vidic & Stankovic (Serbia); Prediction - Winner: Ghana, Runner-Up: Germany.
Group E – Cameroon, Denmark, Netherlands, Japan: The Dutch should cruise, and the Danes were dominant in qualifying. But expect this one to be decided in the last match day in the group. Players to Watch – Van Persie, Robben, and Sneijder (Netherlands), Eto’o (Cameroon), Bendtner & Poulsen (Denmark), Nakamura (Japan); Prediction - Winner: Netherlands , Runner-Up: Denmark.
Group F – Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia: 2006 World Cup Champions Italy have a pretty easy group. And I hate to say it, but I think New Zealand will concede a lot of goals. Players to Watch – De Rossi & Cannavaro (Italy), Cardozo (Paraguay), Nelsen & Smeltz (New Zealand), Hamsik & Stoch (Slovakia); Prediction - Winner: Italy, Runner-Up: Paraguay.
Group G – Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal: The Group of Death. Some mouth-watering games in here. Portugal vs. Brazil is a must see. Actually, Anyone vs. Brazil is a must see. Players to Watch – Kaka & Maicon (Brazil), Ronaldo (Portugal), Drogba (Ivory Coast), Hong (North Korea); Prediction - Winner: Brazil, Runner-Up: Ivory Coast.
Group H – Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland: Spain is going to dominate here. One of the best teams in the world, and they play great football. Chile is a nice little sleeper pick too. Players to Watch – Xavi & Villa (Spain), Inler & Frei (Switzerland), Palacios (Honduras), Fernandez & Sanchez (Chile); Prediction - Winner: Spain, Runner-Up: Chile.
Knockout Round 1: France beats South Korea, Germany beats England, Netherlands beats Paraguay, Brazil beats Chile, Argentina beats Mexico, Ghana beats USA, Denmark beats Italy, Spain beats Ivory Coast.
Knockout Round 2 (Quarterfinals): Germany beats France, Netherlands beats Brazil, Argentina beats Ghana, Spain beats Denmark.
Knockout Round 3 (Semifinals): Netherlands beats Germany, Spain beats Argentina.
The Final: Two goals from David Villa beats one from Wesley Sneijder. Spain are Champions of the World!
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LOL you are soo lost… you do not have a clue about football. The predictions are a joke.
bla bla bla my predictions and listen carefully cause iM the choosen one.
Group A – France, Mexico,
Group B – Argentina, Nigeria,
Group C – England, USA:
Group D – Germany, Ghana,Though
Group E – Netherlands, Denmark
Group F – Italy, Slovakia:
Group G – Brazil,Portugal:
Group H – Spain, Switzerland:
Knockout Round 1: France beats Nigeria, Ghana beats England, Netherlands beats Slovakia, Brazil beats Switzerland, Argentina beats Mexico(penalities), Germnay beats USA, Denmark beats Italy, Spain beats Portugal.
Knockout Round 2 (Quarterfinals): France beats Ghana, Netherlands beats Brazil, Argentina beats Germany, Spain beats Denmark.
Knockout Round 3 (Semifinals): Netherlands beats France, Spain beats Argentina.
The Final: ?,possibility Spain vs Netherlands