Group E
17. Netherlands: Not so strong management from the sidelines but the squad has good quality nonetheless. If they keep the pace, they are very dangerous. The oranges have shown abrupt meltdowns in the past and I don't see this WC could be any different in that sense for them.
18. Japan: Quite similar to their Asian rivals, they have proved themselves to be serious opponents and have good chances of qualifying from group stage. Just like South Korea, the fatigue over their fragile bodies could take over their speed deeper in the tournament and mark their exit.
19. Denmark: They bounced back from the first loss to the Netherlands and beat Cameroon and are hopeful of qualifying to the next round. At times, they show flashes of good football but I have hard time seeing them deep in the tournament. Like their northern neighbors Sweden, they lack a certain glow and will tend to settle for the less come facing a major powerhouse.
20. Cameroon: Yet another major African disappointment like Nigeria except for the fact that their manager is not much to blame rather quite suitable for the job given time and patience. I suppose relying too much on Eto'o and losing first tow games doesn't leave much to say for the departure of the "Indomitable Lions".
Group F
21. Paraguay: No comments on them.
22. Italy: The reigning champions (a title that they did not deserve to win in my opinion) are nothing but miserable. They face an aging squad and lack quality players, just former great players wearing Azzurri. They are my least favorite team but I'm sure they will end up not as disappointing as they look. They may manage to pull things off somehow with the least attractive football ever displayed.
23. New Zealand: They are just happy to be at the world stage for the first time ever, happier to score their first ever WC goal and so on. No surprises, no real threat, just happy to have been there...once at least!
24. Slovakia: No comments again. I would have been much happier to have seen Croatia in their place to create some action at least.
Group G
25. Brazil: One the strong favorites to win according to many with star packed and quality players on the pitch. They have not been that impressive though but the quality is still there and can do massive damage. Their weakest point seems to be the bench as they don't seem to have the same quality substitutes. They will get to semis definitely one way or another.
26. Portugal: Disappointing in the first match with Ivory but then they thrashed North Korea 7-0! Seems like they are en route to finding their form back but it still remains to be seen.
27. Ivory Coast: Yes, again another major disappointment for Africa. They rely too much on Drogba who is not a creator (when he is locked) rather of a user of opportunities provided for him, something that the team has failed to do so because it is easily read by the opponents. A similar story as Nigeria with a (this time only a highly overrated) unsuccessful Swedish manager who not only doesn't click well with the chemistry of Les Éléphants, but has poor abilities to inspire and fire up a squad of their caliber.
28. North Korea: After losing decently to Brazil 1-2 in the opener, they were humiliated by Portugal in the second game putting the dignity of the Asian football in serious danger. I felt sorry for their nation anyway when I heard that the game against Portugal was among a few football games that were shown live in that dictator country.
Group F
29. Chile: pretty much like Uruguay and possibly Paraguay, a hard working team with occasional flashes of brilliancy. Qualified to the next round by winning first 2 games and how they will do next is just a mystery.
30. Spain: The reigning European champions and favorites to win the cup were really disaapointing theier first loss to Switzerland but pulled themsleves together in the 2nd game against Honduras, a not so convincing win which was voiced by their vet manager Del bosque. They are yet to prove themselves and El nino and many others have not started yet.
31. Switzerland: Shocked everyone by beating Spain but they lost to Chile. They have enjoyed a series of unheard football success in different stages and tournaments but they are still underestimated and hopeful of qualifying. Their savvy manager Hitzfeld knows his job well and can surprise opponent with some relatively unknown players.
32. Honduras: A weak American team which should be replaced by Colombia or something to make the competition more exciting.
Pooooofffff, that was as easy as I thought. Now, off to the last group games.
17. Netherlands: Not so strong management from the sidelines but the squad has good quality nonetheless. If they keep the pace, they are very dangerous. The oranges have shown abrupt meltdowns in the past and I don't see this WC could be any different in that sense for them.
18. Japan: Quite similar to their Asian rivals, they have proved themselves to be serious opponents and have good chances of qualifying from group stage. Just like South Korea, the fatigue over their fragile bodies could take over their speed deeper in the tournament and mark their exit.
19. Denmark: They bounced back from the first loss to the Netherlands and beat Cameroon and are hopeful of qualifying to the next round. At times, they show flashes of good football but I have hard time seeing them deep in the tournament. Like their northern neighbors Sweden, they lack a certain glow and will tend to settle for the less come facing a major powerhouse.
20. Cameroon: Yet another major African disappointment like Nigeria except for the fact that their manager is not much to blame rather quite suitable for the job given time and patience. I suppose relying too much on Eto'o and losing first tow games doesn't leave much to say for the departure of the "Indomitable Lions".
Group F
21. Paraguay: No comments on them.
22. Italy: The reigning champions (a title that they did not deserve to win in my opinion) are nothing but miserable. They face an aging squad and lack quality players, just former great players wearing Azzurri. They are my least favorite team but I'm sure they will end up not as disappointing as they look. They may manage to pull things off somehow with the least attractive football ever displayed.
23. New Zealand: They are just happy to be at the world stage for the first time ever, happier to score their first ever WC goal and so on. No surprises, no real threat, just happy to have been there...once at least!
24. Slovakia: No comments again. I would have been much happier to have seen Croatia in their place to create some action at least.
Group G
25. Brazil: One the strong favorites to win according to many with star packed and quality players on the pitch. They have not been that impressive though but the quality is still there and can do massive damage. Their weakest point seems to be the bench as they don't seem to have the same quality substitutes. They will get to semis definitely one way or another.
26. Portugal: Disappointing in the first match with Ivory but then they thrashed North Korea 7-0! Seems like they are en route to finding their form back but it still remains to be seen.
27. Ivory Coast: Yes, again another major disappointment for Africa. They rely too much on Drogba who is not a creator (when he is locked) rather of a user of opportunities provided for him, something that the team has failed to do so because it is easily read by the opponents. A similar story as Nigeria with a (this time only a highly overrated) unsuccessful Swedish manager who not only doesn't click well with the chemistry of Les Éléphants, but has poor abilities to inspire and fire up a squad of their caliber.
28. North Korea: After losing decently to Brazil 1-2 in the opener, they were humiliated by Portugal in the second game putting the dignity of the Asian football in serious danger. I felt sorry for their nation anyway when I heard that the game against Portugal was among a few football games that were shown live in that dictator country.
Group F
29. Chile: pretty much like Uruguay and possibly Paraguay, a hard working team with occasional flashes of brilliancy. Qualified to the next round by winning first 2 games and how they will do next is just a mystery.
30. Spain: The reigning European champions and favorites to win the cup were really disaapointing theier first loss to Switzerland but pulled themsleves together in the 2nd game against Honduras, a not so convincing win which was voiced by their vet manager Del bosque. They are yet to prove themselves and El nino and many others have not started yet.
31. Switzerland: Shocked everyone by beating Spain but they lost to Chile. They have enjoyed a series of unheard football success in different stages and tournaments but they are still underestimated and hopeful of qualifying. Their savvy manager Hitzfeld knows his job well and can surprise opponent with some relatively unknown players.
32. Honduras: A weak American team which should be replaced by Colombia or something to make the competition more exciting.
Pooooofffff, that was as easy as I thought. Now, off to the last group games.
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