Key Players
G - Hans-Jörg Butt
D - Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm
M - Mesut Özil, Bastian Schweinsteiger
F - Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez
Advantages
-Size
-Depth
-Finishing Ability
Weaknesses
-Michael Ballack's Absence
-Inexperience at Goalkeeper
Prediction
First Place in Group D
Ghana
Key Players
G - Richard Kingson
D - John Mensah, John Paintsil
M - Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng
F - Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah
Advantages
-Speed
-World Cup Experience
-Location
Weaknesses
-Michael Essien's Absence
-Depth
-Lack of a Great Finisher
Prediction
Fourth Place in Group D
Serbia
Key Players
G - Vladimir Stojković
D - Nemanja Vidić, Branislav Ivanović
M - Milos Krasić, Dejan Stanković
F - Marko Pantelić, Nikola Zigić
Advantages
-Size
-Great Defense
-Variety of Scoring Options
Weaknesses
-Lack of Big Game Experience
-Speed
Prediction
Second Place in Group D
Australia
Key Players
G - Mark Schwarzer
D - Scott Chipperfield, Lucas Neill
M - Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano
F - Harry Kewell
Advantages
-Chemistry
-Size
-World Cup Experience
Weaknesses
-Lack of Scoring Options
-Speed
-Depth
Prediction
Third Place in Group D
Couple of disagreements. I don't like that you've named Mario Gomez over Podolski as a key player. As far as Ozil is concerned, I would amend the title "Key Player" to "Player to Watch Out For". A subtle difference, but one nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteAs far as injury is concerned, I can understand the loss of Ballack as a blow to the German team but nothing they can't compensate for. Michael Essien will be more crucial when it push comes to shove for Ghana. However, Muntari's recent form has been great and Boateng has experience as well, in English soccer no less.
My last qualm is with Group placement. I like Serbia for their size but I think Australia wants it more. We've seen what a determined Australian team can do, losing to Italy last Cup on little more than a controversial call. I have Australia second, with Ghana and Serbia a toss-up.
I just figure that with Podolski being down with Koln the past year or so, he's not going to be in as much favor as Gomez, or maybe even Cacau. They have such a wealth of riches up front. Ozil I think is a key for them because of his versatility, but yes he's definitely the player to watch out for. I've fallen in love with him since I saw him against Shaktar Donetsk in the EUFA Cup Final. He was dubbed "The next Diego," and is living up to that for club and country.
ReplyDeleteI think that with Ballack and Trasch being out, their midfield may be sparse as far as substitutions go. They're going to have to be careful with injuries. But I agree that Essien is more crucial to the success of the Ghanaians because they aren't as deep as Germany. Muntari really emerged during World Cup 2006, and Boateng, despite the bad taste he put in my mouth with that tackle, is definitely a quality player.
I've really been sold on the Serbian team for a while now. They have such a strong defense, and so many attacking options. They play a really wide open style and that will pose a problem for the slower defenses. I agree that Australia will be determined for sure, but I'm not sure they can compete with Germany and Serbia. Cahill and Kewell will have the responsibility of scoring goals, and I'm not sure I even trust Harry Kewell to stay healthy(which may or may not be Liverpool's trainers' fault).
This is the group of death in my opinion. Just because if you match up team for team, I think Germany and Brazil are on an even level, Serbia is better than Portugal, Ivory Coast is probably better than Australia, but I'd say Ghana is better than North Korea.
We'll see though!
I like this group, I think it's one of the more interesting groups in the tourny.
ReplyDeleteSerbia is a real darkhorse coming into this. And as we've seen in the past, great goalkeeping can really make a difference, So Australia has that covered. Ghana survived a hell of a run last WC and losing Essien is HUGE, but they have the experience that Australia and Serbia don't have. They'll know when to be calm and know when to be aggressive.
I think Germany has the group on a lock even without Ballack. I have Germany as being one of the 4 best squads in the WC. They make other teams play at their pace and they control. I'm worried about them being weak to counterattacks.
I agree completely about this groups potentially to be the "group of death."
I personally don't see Podolski getting much time. He's incredibly dangerous, but Gomez and Klose didn't ride pine all year.