Liverpool FC Forum

by **Judge** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:17 pm

taken from yahoo sport

THE FIRST XI

1-Spain

How Spain are not the bookies' favourites is a total mystery. The European Champions have a group of world-class individuals finally working as a team. Their new-found unity and the confidence boost of winning Euro 2008 inspired them to a flawless qualifying campaign, and they have quality in every position. The only question mark is their poor World Cup track record.

2-Brazil

Dealt easily enough with a weakened England side, but question marks remain about the defence, and a midfield where Arsenal cast-off Gilberto Silva still gets a game. The Kaka-inspired attack still strikes fear into every opponent, while the Selecao's peerless World Cup history - and the fact the tournament is outside Europe - mean they are clearly serious contenders.

3-Germany

They might not have the outstanding individuals of yesteryear, but the Germans still know how to win and they are habitually involved at the business end of major tournaments. However, the shocking death of Robert Enke has cast a huge shadow over the squad and their response to the tragedy will be crucial.

4-England

Fabio Capello's side raced to qualification showing a ruthless edge, especially in the two thumping wins against Croatia. Friendly defeats to Spain and Brazil show there is still room for improvement, but for the first time in a generation, England have the players and the manager to go all the way.

5-Italy

The defending champions were efficient rather than spectacular in qualifying, and had an absolute nightmare at the Confederations Cup. Marcello Lippi is under pressure amid a growing clamour to recall Antonio Cassano, but they always tend to pull things together ahead of the big occasions.

6-France

Staggeringly lucky to be there after needing the hand of two separate gods to see off the Republic of Ireland - Raymond Domenech would probably say it was written in the stars. At least Henry's crime showed a win-at-all-costs mentality which France have lacked in recent years. And there's Franck Ribery to return.

7-Portugal

When you have got possibly the best player in the world waiting to come back to your team, you always have a chance. Portugal have struggled terribly under Carlos Queiroz but won both legs of their play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina without Cristiano Ronaldo, and have plenty of talent.

8-Netherlands

A brilliant qualifying campaign yielded eight wins out of eight for Bert van Marwijk's side. The coach's tactic of leaning on Dutch-based players for the backbone of his squad is paying off, but there is a worrying reliance on the fragile likes of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. We just do not fancy them.

9-Ivory Coast

Egypt might be the champions of Africa, but Ivory Coast look the best equipped to mount a serious challenge on their home continent. The devastating Didier Drogba has 41 goals from his 60 caps and is ably supported by the Toure brothers, Arouna Kone and Didier Zokora.

10-USA

Bob Bradley's men never get any respect. The fact their squad now hails mainly from the MLS will not change that, but it might mean their players are fresh in South Africa. They are the only team on this list to beat Spain in the last three years, and continued their regional superiority over Mexico in qualifying.

11-Argentina

Still a shambles - the decisive win against Uruguay does not change that. Diego Maradona still does not know his best team, has failed to get the best out of Lionel Messi and is wildly volatile. Good times could be around the corner, mind, as Maradona has been banned for two months.

THE REST

12-Ghana

13-Australia

14-Mexico

15-South Korea

16-Cameroon

17-Denmark

18-Nigeria

19-Chile

20-Serbia

21-Paraguay

22-Greece

23-Japan

24-Switzerland

25-Uruguay

26-Algeria

27-Slovenia

28-South Africa

29-Slovakia

30-Honduras

31-North Korea

32-New Zealand

by **Ben Patrick** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:29 pm

Didnt Brazil have a really tight defence in the south american qualifiers ?
I am sure i recall when i was watching the last couple of games in the qualifiers that Brazil had had the tightest defence in the group.
Also i rate Gilberto Silva as a good anchorman, he was let go by Arsenal just due to the fact that he was out of contract or nearing the end of his contract and was the wrong side of 30.
Losing his experience imo was one of the reasons they have struggled in recent seasons.
They should be favourites definately imo.

by **Sabre** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:33 pm

10-USA

Bob Bradley's men never get any respect. The fact their squad now hails mainly from the MLS will not change that, but it might mean their players are fresh in South Africa. They are the only team on this list to beat Spain in the last three years, and continued their regional superiority over Mexico in qualifying.

Yes, I want them in the group. A defeat against them is an insult that we want to avenge.

:angry:

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:37 pm

Agreed Spain should definitely be top seeds. I think this will England's best chance for years though. The Spain game showed we were second best by far but since then our improvement has been significant. As for the Brazil game, it can hardly be used a marker for chances of the World Cup - we played effectively our second string and only lost 1-0.

by **Ben Patrick** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:51 pm

The Brazil game cant be a marker but i have massive doubts about England and their ability to break down the best teams and also keep posession against the better teams.
If we draw Brazil or Spain, both sides are great at keeping posession and in the latter stages of a tournament we would be given a bit of a lesson imo.
Similar to when we played Brazil on 02 and they were down to 10 and we couldnt get near them still in the last 20 minutes.
In qualification England have been great but the group wasnt exactly a tough one.
They have done what was required and looked impressive in the Croatia games but each time they have played decent opposition in friendlies have come up short, France, Spain and Brazil are the games i mean.

by **Big Niall** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:50 pm

England will do well with Capello - probably Quarter or possibly even semis but I dont think they can keep the ball well enough and are short a forward who will score goals. Defensively solid.

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