World Cup Countdown (Part Seven)

Group G has one genuine world - class team with two average teams and one rank outsider.

Togo are making their debut in the World Cup Finals and it will not be a long stay, ending in the first phase. Unfortunately for them, they have landed one of the trickier Groups to negotiate. Add to that the internal ructions, seemingly led by Adebayour, that resulted in the replacement of their Coach less than three months before the start of the tournament. Topping the Qualifying Group that contained Senegal was no mean feat, Adebayour scoring ten goals en route to the Finals. That said, a truly horrid African Nations Cup tournament will have done nothing for their confidence, probably putting paid to a repetition of the strife over bonuses this time round. Anything in excess of "nil point" should be considered a good result.

South Korea made more than a decent fist of things on their home turf last time out and have been building solidly ever since. Having put paid to Southern Europe's challenge in 2002, the Koreans should be quietly confident of progressing out of the Group stage this time around, a close tussle with the Swiss could be the deciding game. Dick Advocaat is an experienced coach who has a proven record of getting teams to gel whilst the two Premiership players Park ji-Sung and Lee young-Pyo have gained useful experience with their clubs this season.

Switzerland remind me in many ways of Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland team from the 1980's in that they are well aware of the fact that they are not the most skilful team in the world but they work hard for each other and play to their strengths. Phillipe Senderos has reserved some of his best performances this season for his country and in Alexander Frei they have a decent forward, capable of troubling the best defences. Tranquillo Barnetta is a creative midfielder upon whose shoulders much will rest whilst Johann Vogel is a solid anchor in the middle of the park.

And so to Group favourites France. In Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Djibril Cisse and Louis Saha they can have one of the most potent strikeforces in the competition. Add to that a regular contribution from Sylvain Wiltord and the French should have no problems scoring goals. Indeed that is what was expected last time out but then the team imploded, failing to hit the back of the net once and on their way home in shame, posting the worst defence of the World Cup by the winners in history. So 2006 offers them a route for redemption. There is an unrivalled depth of experience in the French squad with many members of their successful 1998 and 2000 campaigns still intact yet this season has seen a dip in form from some of their key players. Since Christmas Vieira has looked a pale shadow of himself whilst Zidane has only recently returned to form, at the tail end of his career in football. Perhaps a weight has been lifted following his decision to call it quits. Other concerns must be about Boumsong's comedy defending at Newcastle and in goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, they are always liable to concede due to what can be politely described as a mishap. It will also be interesting to see the much touted Frank Ribery in action, to see if the hype is backed up by talent. Do not rule them out from getting to the last four but should they be awarded a penalty, I would advise all players to keep clear of Zidane lest he repeat his party trick from the England match during Euro 2004.

Predicted Results

South Korea	1	-	0	Togo
France	2	-	1	Switzerland
France	2	-	0	South Korea
Togo	0	-	2	Switzerland
Togo	1	-	3	France
Switzerland	1	-	1	South Korea

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
France	3	3	0	0	7	2	+ 5	9
Switzerland	3	1	1	1	4	3	+ 1	4
South Korea	3	1	1	1	2	3	- 1	4
Togo	3	0	0	3	1	6	- 5	0

Arsenal Players in the Group

Thierry Henry (France)
Phillipe Senderos (Switzerland)
Johan Djourou (Switzerland)
Emmanuel Adebayour (Togo)

Todays Tunes are from The Undertones, two live tracks from Amsterdam in 1980.

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