A Week In – 2010 World Cup South Africa Review

So we’ve had a little over a week of competition in the 2010 World Cup. But what can each country make of their results so far? Let’s take a look.

Group A

Uruguay (4 pts, +3)

Starting to ease into the competition after destroying South Africa, the South Americans are looking good. Diego Forlan has found his club form, but their game against the Mexicans will really convey their pedigree to go far.

Mexico (4 pts, +2)

Have showed the attacking flair that has underlined their ability at the highest stage. They could count themselves unlucky not to have gotten 6/6 points, but their dismantling of France proves that they are here to stay.

France (1 pt, -2)

Playing like a team who don’t deserve to be there. With the players on offer it is hard to believe that France could exit this Cup in the first round and even potentially without having scored a single goal. If they do exit, controversy will shroud the national team.

South Africa (1 pt, -3)

Currently on the brink of an early exit from the Cup after only managing a point from their opening two games. If they are eliminated, they will become the first host nation not to qualify from the group stages. It seemed like they were up for it in the opener against Mexico, but against Uruguay they were average the best.

Group B

Argentina (6 pts, +4)

Have shortened to favourites to win the Cup, and fair enough. They’ve had two electrifying displays and easily could have put more than one past Nigeria as they did with Korea. Messi is in form and if they can rid themselves of little lapses at the back they will go close to winning it all.

South Korea (3 pts, -1)

Impressive against Greece but dismantled by Argentina, South Korea still have a good chance of going through. They’ve found goals and have a decent passing game. Park Ji-Sung has been instrumental as has Park Chu-Young.

Greece (3 pts, -1)

In their first 130 minutes of group stage games Greece looked as bad as the French. But they rallied against Nigeria, and with some luck got the three points. If they can manage to get something against Argentina they will deserve to go through.

Nigeria (0 pts, -2)

Have really capitulated on themselves. A real star has been goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who put in a world class showing against Argentina and nearly saved them against Greece. Nigeria are still mathematically not out of it, but will need a good win against South Korea and hope that Argentina put a few past Greece.

Group C

Slovenia (4 pts, +1)

Surprise packets of the tournament so far, the smallest country at the Cup have really turned up. A scrappy win against Algeria followed by a draw they would have taken any day against the USA leaves them needing only a point from England to ensure qualification.

USA (2 pts, 0)

Fought back admirably against the Slovenians and arguably should have taken all three points. Facing arguably the weakest team in Algeria in the last games, they will fancy themselves a very good chance of making the next round.

England (2 pts, 0)

One of the biggest disappointments of the tournament so far and looked horrible against an Algerian team, who had previously never kept a clean sheet in a Cup game. They have left themselves with the task of having to beat a very confident Slovenian team to qualify.

Algeria (1 pt, -1)

They will be chuffed that they still have a realistic chance of going through with one group game remaining. A win against the USA will see them qualify for the knockout stages. Easier said than done though as offence has been lacking so far.

Group D

Germany (3 pts, +3)

Had a perfect performance against Australia, but we’re uncharacteristically poor against Serbia. Miroslav Klose’s dismissal didn’t help neither did Podolski’s continual miss of guilt edge chances. Facing a potentially undefeated Ghana in the final group game, Germany have a tough ask ahead of them.

Ghana (3 pts, +1)

Played well against a Serbian team with 10 men, but we’re perhaps lucky to come away with all three points. Facing an undoubtedly hurting Australian team tonight, the Africans can ensure qualification with a win.

Serbia (3 pts, 0)

Shocked the world with a 1-0 win over Germany which has breathed new life into their campaign to qualify for the knockout stages. Still struggled a little against 10 men and easily could have drawn, but now have set up nicely for a tense final game.

Australia (0 pts, -4)

Were nothing less than shocking against the Germans, the Aussies will need to bounce back against Ghana. They have a good record over them recently and will need nothing less than a convincing win as in what has shaped up as a tight group that goal difference could be so very important to their chances of getting to the next round.

Group E

Netherlands (3 pts, +2)

Were not at their attacking best against Denmark but were still able to come away with tree important points. They face Japan tonight and can secure qualification with a win, history is on their side too; they’ve never lost to an Asian team at the World Cup.

Japan (3 pts, +1)

The Japanese started their campaign with an impressive win over Cameroon, Honda is looking like a great player in the making too. Their defence was strong against Cameroon and will need to be again when they take on Netherlands.

Cameroon (0 pts, -1)

Didn’t play too bad against Japan, they just failed to take their chances. They face a do-or-die clash with Denmark and anything but a win will be acceptable. For the talent they have, they have the potential to go far so look for a good showing from them.

Denmark (0 pts, -2)

Outplayed against the Netherlands, Denmark is starting to look like one of those teams that just isn’t working in South Africa. No one really stood out against the Dutch and they looked tired throughout the match.

Group F

Paraguay (1 pt, 0)

Unlucky not to come away with more than a point against the Italians in a good performance. Look good from the set piece and have strength all around the park. Will they take the same level of performance into games against weaker opposition though?

New Zealand (1 pt, 0)

Saved the game with the last kick against Slovakia and people have noticed as well. They face an interesting game with Italy over the weekend and one gets the feeling it could be a potential banana skin for the champions.

Italy (1 pt, 0)

Not excellent attacking prowess against Paraguay and looked surprisingly sluggish. Quite a few players went missing and without Gianluigi Buffon in goals, they will need to step it up.

Slovakia (1 pt, 0)

Effectively dominated the entire game against New Zealand and had numerous chances to seal the game. Their lack to do so is a concern and now needing to beat at least either Paraguay or Italy to have any chance to qualify is a tough ask.

Group G

Brazil (3 pts, +1)

Not very convincing against Korea DPR and nearly gave away a valuable few points. Kaka was nowhere to be seen and that will be a concern for Dunga. However, their real tests will come now via Ivory Coast and Portugal.

Ivory Coast (1 pt, 0)

Were the better team against Portugal and with Drogba nearly rescuing three points of the bench, signs are good for Ivory Coast. If Drogba starts against Brazil he will lift the entire team and if they get a result against them qualification will be close.

Portugal (1 pt, 0)

Lacked conviction in midfield against Ivory Coast and general attacking prowess. However, a bonus is the form of Cristiano Ronaldo. If he can continue to dominate his opponents surely goals will come for the Portuguese.

Group H

Switzerland (3 pts, +1)

Provided one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in beating the Spanish first up. The defence was impressive, even with the loss of Phillipe Senderos. They took one of limited chances unlike Spain and if they can beat Chile next, unlikely qualification will be theirs.

Chile (3 pts, +1)

Looked impressive as ever against Honduras. Their wide men were causing havoc and they could have easily put three or four past them. However, their inability to take their chances could be a problem against the Swiss.

Honduras (0 pts, -1)

Dominated as predicted by most by Chile and unfortunately for them, the Cup could effectively come to an end as they face Spain on June 22^nd. Whilst they showed some strength in midfield, their defence is a major concern.

Spain (0 pts, -1)

They had 63% possession, 24 shots and 8 of which were on target. Yet they still managed to embarrass themselves at the World Cup. Why guys like Cesc Fabregas didn’t get a run is astounding, even more so the Spaniards defensive lapses when only tested on little occasions.

So that’s a brief look at all 32 nations at the World Cup after a little over a week’s competition. We’ve had a bunch of shocks which can only be good for the game and general excitement for the competition. The games have started to provide more goals and those vuvazuela’s are causing more havoc than ever. Oh, how we love the World Cup!