The FIFA organised the draw of the 32 contenders yesterday in Cape Town. I almost had a fit when my preferred countries Uruguay and France got picked in the same group! Many specialists consider this a lucky draw for France who are also with South Africa and Mexico but I don’t agree. I actually think this group is quite balanced. Many people also thought France would cruise through its qualifying group (Serbia, Austria, Romania, Lithuania and Feroe Islands) only to see France finishing a weak 2nd and barely eliminating Ireland in the final playoff. Uruguay have a great attack with Forlan and Suarez and a charismatic captain Lugano who symbolizes the famous garra celeste. South Africa, despite bad results since 2 years now, will be backed by a whole country and you just can’t dismiss the 12th man. Mexico is more of a mystery but they can have their good days.
As I previously posted, there is a once again a “Group of Death”. This is Group G with Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal. Brazil should go through but the Auriverdes will have to be in their top form right from the beginning which could penalize in the second round. Portugal has a slight advantage over the Ivory Coast since they play Brazil in the third and last match. By then the Brazilians could already be qualified and tempted to have their B-team play against the Portuguese.
Both Italy and Spain have relatively easy groups I feel. Germany should also go through but the fight for the second place in this group will be intense between Australia, Serbia and Ghana. Something tells me that Group B could be a surprise where even Argentina could be impacted. I still think the Albiceleste will go through but perhaps not in the 1st place. I also see England finishing first of their group but it’s all open between the USA, Algeria and even Slovenia who eliminated Russia in the playoffs.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
question- for who will you be in case of a game france-uruguay???
Uruguay
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