World Cup Countdown (Part Eight)
The final part of the preview of the Group stages sets its sights on Group H.
Favourites will be Spain which is nothing unusual for them. What would be out of character would be for them to actually live up to the expectations placed upon them. Their historical performances in qualifying are impressive, this time round it was different with the Spaniards having to come through the Play-Offs, something that was comfortably achieved with a 6 - 2 aggregate win over Slovenia. On the back of a 20 + game unbeaten run, there is little for the Spanish to fear in this Group. In goal, anyone of their three keepers could play without diminishing this aspect of the team, Casillas, Canizares and Reina are all dependable with Casillas probably edging out Reina for top slot. Defensively, I am unconvinced by Ramos as a centre half but as right back, he could be an improvement. Puyol and Ibanez would appear to be the choice of Centre Halves although Ramos could shift across. With Del Horno's injury, the highly thought of Pernia has the chance to prove himself. Midfield ought to be orchestrated by Fabregas, the pick of the Arsenal youngsters. For defensive cover, I would expect Xabi Alonso to get the nod over Senna despite the latters decent form this season. One way to accommodate both would be to move Fabregas to the right with Reyes on the left. Up front, Raul is still untouchable. Having scored his first goal in eight months against Egypt, he will be hoping to erase the memories of an indifferent couple of seasons. This leaves one place and it will be interesting to see who Aragones picks. Does he go for Torres, apparently now staying at Atletico, or the in-form David Villa, the highest scoring Spaniard in La Liga during 2005-06.
Ukraine are coached by the only MP who will not be relying on McDonald's to provide his accommodation or flights to Germany. Oleg Blokhin, former European Footballer of the Year, has a young squad to choose from, the starting XI will be even younger now that Shust is likely to start in goal. Shevchenko will carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders but Voronin is a dangerous partner / alternative. Much touted Tymoschuk may get the chance to show why all bar none of the top four in England are supposed to be interested in his services. It is the lack of experience that is likely to do for the Ukranians although second place should be comfortably achieved in this Group.
Tunisia are a consistent team, reasonably solid yet I do not expect much from them. Looking at the squad prior to the recent bout of warm-up matches, there is one glaring problem, the absence of goalscorers - of the eleven players who have scored for the national team, only six have more than one goal to their name. Compare this with Shevchenko, and it should be the first plane home for the Africans.
Saudi Arabia - oh dear, what positives can one say? 1994's Second Round appearance seems to be so long ago; 2002's 0 - 8 humilation at the hands of Germany by contrast is fresh. Of the two, the latter is more likely. Just thought of the positive - the only other team apart from Italy where the whole squad plays in their native land.
Predicted Results
Predicted Table
Arsenal Players in Group
Cesc Fabregas (Spain)
Jose Antonio Reyes (Spain)
Players that Arsenal should sign
None
Todays Tunes are from Big Country, three live tracks from Wembley in June 1987. Ironically enough that is the first venue I saw them, supporting The Jam in December 1982.
Where The Rose Is Sown
Just A Shadow
In A Big Country
Fields Of Fire
Favourites will be Spain which is nothing unusual for them. What would be out of character would be for them to actually live up to the expectations placed upon them. Their historical performances in qualifying are impressive, this time round it was different with the Spaniards having to come through the Play-Offs, something that was comfortably achieved with a 6 - 2 aggregate win over Slovenia. On the back of a 20 + game unbeaten run, there is little for the Spanish to fear in this Group. In goal, anyone of their three keepers could play without diminishing this aspect of the team, Casillas, Canizares and Reina are all dependable with Casillas probably edging out Reina for top slot. Defensively, I am unconvinced by Ramos as a centre half but as right back, he could be an improvement. Puyol and Ibanez would appear to be the choice of Centre Halves although Ramos could shift across. With Del Horno's injury, the highly thought of Pernia has the chance to prove himself. Midfield ought to be orchestrated by Fabregas, the pick of the Arsenal youngsters. For defensive cover, I would expect Xabi Alonso to get the nod over Senna despite the latters decent form this season. One way to accommodate both would be to move Fabregas to the right with Reyes on the left. Up front, Raul is still untouchable. Having scored his first goal in eight months against Egypt, he will be hoping to erase the memories of an indifferent couple of seasons. This leaves one place and it will be interesting to see who Aragones picks. Does he go for Torres, apparently now staying at Atletico, or the in-form David Villa, the highest scoring Spaniard in La Liga during 2005-06.
Ukraine are coached by the only MP who will not be relying on McDonald's to provide his accommodation or flights to Germany. Oleg Blokhin, former European Footballer of the Year, has a young squad to choose from, the starting XI will be even younger now that Shust is likely to start in goal. Shevchenko will carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders but Voronin is a dangerous partner / alternative. Much touted Tymoschuk may get the chance to show why all bar none of the top four in England are supposed to be interested in his services. It is the lack of experience that is likely to do for the Ukranians although second place should be comfortably achieved in this Group.
Tunisia are a consistent team, reasonably solid yet I do not expect much from them. Looking at the squad prior to the recent bout of warm-up matches, there is one glaring problem, the absence of goalscorers - of the eleven players who have scored for the national team, only six have more than one goal to their name. Compare this with Shevchenko, and it should be the first plane home for the Africans.
Saudi Arabia - oh dear, what positives can one say? 1994's Second Round appearance seems to be so long ago; 2002's 0 - 8 humilation at the hands of Germany by contrast is fresh. Of the two, the latter is more likely. Just thought of the positive - the only other team apart from Italy where the whole squad plays in their native land.
Predicted Results
| Spain | 2 | - | 1 | Ukraine |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 | - | 2 | Tunisia |
| Ukraine | 4 | - | 0 | Saudi Arabia |
| Tunisia | 1 | - | 3 | Spain |
| Spain | 6 | - | 0 | Saudi Arabia |
| Tunisia | 1 | - | 2 | Ukraine |
Predicted Table
| Pl. | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts. | |
| Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | + 9 | 9 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | + 4 | 6 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | - 1 | 3 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | - 5 | 0 |
Arsenal Players in Group
Cesc Fabregas (Spain)
Jose Antonio Reyes (Spain)
Players that Arsenal should sign
None
Todays Tunes are from Big Country, three live tracks from Wembley in June 1987. Ironically enough that is the first venue I saw them, supporting The Jam in December 1982.
Where The Rose Is Sown
Just A Shadow
In A Big Country
Fields Of Fire
posted by Yogi's Warrior at 12:14 am
5 Comments:
I would be suprised if Cesc plays surely Spain will go with the more established (certainly in Spain) Xavi or Iniesta. Cesc is just there for the experiance I fear.
I am not convinced. Xavi has only just returned from a lengthy lay-off due to injury whilst Fabregas has impressed when on international duty. Not that I am saying that Aragones will take any notice of the press but the interest from Real whilst all paper talk may well do Fabregas some favours. That and the fact he has played well so far for the international side
Vote for England in this Dutch pool! We have to win, we will win!!
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