World Cup Preview – Group G
Portugal
To be honest I didn’t want to make any predictions on this group for reasons that don’t need to be explained. After being lucky to even make it to the World Cup most people are keeping a eye on Portugal but most aren’t picking them to repeat their 2006 showing of making it to the semi finals. With that in mind Portugal plays well when not under pressure plus there are of ton of Portuguese fans from across Africa cheering Portugal on which will almost much it like they are playing at home. The things I do like about this Portuguese side is they don’t conced many goals which I hope continues come World Cup time. Giving up five goals in 12 qualfying games (three of those 5 goals coming in one game) is a ratio even Italy would be proud to boast. Carlos Queiroz hasn’t exactly won over many people leading up until to the World Cup but there is little doubt he puts on a very organzied side out there with the interesting trio of Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves and the returning Pepe making an interesting triangle in front of goal. Portugal did lose Nani to injury which isn’t the best of news but it was doubtful he would start as Queiroz perfers Siamo and Cristiano Ronaldo on the wings as Siamo will at least track back. Players like Danny and Fábio Coentrão will pick up the slack from the subs bench. On the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo who is a very interesting wild card as I have no clue what will happen but an important chapter in the career of Cristiano Ronaldo will be interest in the coming month. Will Ronaldo play with a chip on his shoulder after having to see Lionel Messi become the best player in the world and his club team Real Madrid go without any titles this season or will Ronaldo display the form where due to injuries and playing in a different setup Ronaldo won’t play up to the standard he does on club level? I’m most likely crazy but I do believe Portugal will win this group. (at least they will advance) Brazil is the perfect big club for them to face against. Portugal does not fall into the Brazil aura, unlike most teams Portugal rightly or wrongly considers Brazil an equal. Take away the 6-2 friendly defeat of two years ago where Portugal travelled to Brazil in mid season for a friendly where they were basically thrown to the wolves and Portugal has had success against Portugal winning 2-0 in London in Feb 2008 which should be the game used when looking at how these teams match up.
Key Player – Liedson - It’s too easy to say Ronaldo. Liedson will need to prove he isn’t a Pauleta clone who will score against weak teams but be held in check against the top clubs if Portugal are to go far. Depending on your midfield to get you goals will only get you so far.
Sinnacle Prediction – 1st in Group G
Ivory Coast
Didier Drogba breaking his arm has thrown this already confusing group into choas as no one yet knows Drogba’s status. It would still be foolish to write off Ivory Coast chances without Drogba when you look at a lineup which features the likes of Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, Didier Zokora, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, and Guy Demel. This team is big, is fast and is built to handle playing at high altitude. My favorite part of this team is the fact it’s being coached by Sven Goran Eriksson who recent expressed his sercet love for Liverpool once that job became open. Despite not having the best of records against Portugal or Brazil, Sven does have his teams well prepared.
Key Body Part - Didier Drogba elbow
Sinnacle Prediction – 2nd in Group G
Brazil
Yes I am picking Brazil to bow out in the first round to the shock of many and I’m sure many of you are thinking I’m a moron. Truthfully I see it going one of two ways. Either Dunga men will give a finger to the Brazilian press like the Scolari 2002 side did and make it to the World Cup finals or they will crash and burn early in the World Cup. Dunga being hurt does muddle things a lot but I’m still going to stick with my first decision in picking Brazil to be the shock country who fail to advance. Despite being unpopular in Brazil you have to give Dunga credit for doing things his way. If he is going to fail or suceed as a coach it’s going to be through his methods. Not many coaches can say that with all the politics in world football. You would think having won the Copa America and Confederations Cup would cut Dunga some slack but no he seems to be public emeny number one with the Brazilan press over not calling up Santos pair Neymar and Paulo Henrique and hate mail from Nike over not picking Ronaldinho. Dunga again to his credit has sign his job as the National coach isn’t to be along young players as he needs to win now or else he finds himself out of a job. The players Dunga has called upon are a mix of winners like Maicon, Lucio, Dani Alves, Gilberto Silva to go along with players like Robinho, Elano, Robinho, and Luis Fabiano who raise their games everytime they seem to put on the yellow jersey.
So with that way is Brazil going to fail? Already mentioned how the Portugal is a bad match up for them as both teams now play a counter attacking style which Portugal has played for longer. The Ivory Coast match is the wild card here even without Drogba can see Ivory Coast picking up a point and with Portugal winning the last game in this group it could be enough for Ivory Coast to advance.
Key Player - Kaka - No I wasn’t going to write a preview on Brazil without mentioning Kaka. It will be interesting to see if Kaka can shrug off a rough first season with Real Madrid and lead this team to World Cup Glory.
Sinnacle Prediction – 3rd in Group G
North Korea
I know nothing about this country from a football point a view. The brief times I have seen them they play 10 behind the ball trying to keep a clean sheet at all times. The other three games in this group will be looking to score a boatload of goals against North Korea in case goal for/against comes into play. Also love the fact that North Korea tried to sneak an extra striker as the 3rd goalie. Hope they don’t take a point but I have a feeling they may grab a point from somewhere, just hope it isn’t against Portugal who have trouble scoring goals.
Sinnacle Prediction – 4th in Group F