The Road to Soccer's Sweet Sixteen
By James Patrick
What started as (204) competing countries has been whittled down to a final (32). The final tournament includes two stages; a group and and a knockout stage. The group stage is first, and is comprised of all (32) Qualifying nations. When the Cup kicks-off this June, each group plays a round-robin tournament, giving all teams three guarenteed matches. Three points are awarded for each win and one point is awarded for each team in a draw. At the end of the group stage the top two teams with the most points advance to the Round of (16). The Sixteen teams that will emerge then move on to the knockout stage where winners advance and losers go home until a World Cup Champion is crowned. The knockout stage is a single elimination tournament that starts with winners of groups playing against runner-ups of other groups. For example, the winner of Group A wil play Group B's runner-up and the Group B winner will take on Group A's runner-up, Group C will play Group D and so on. From there, it's single elimination, as the winner of each match advances to the next round until two teams are left standing in the Championship Game with the winner taking home the World Cup.
We thought you might be interested in what to look for when you sit down to watch your favorite team compete in South Africa as there is no sporting event on this planet bigger than the World Cup. Here are our Group Favorites and what we feel will compose Soccers Sweet Sixteen :
Group "A"
Mexico - Altitude will be a factor in South Africa and this will play in the favor of Mexico as many of their players have had experience in the high altitude of Mexico City. This is a team that travels really well and support will not be an issue. Look for them to win this group and advance.
France - A very talented team that has been criticized for some very poor coaching tactics. Lot of pressure on HC Raymond Domenech but the Frenchmen's talent should move them on. In all reality this is a team that should be home watching the World Cup on TV as their controversial win over Ireland was tainted.
South Africa - Will be the first host country not to pass out of the first round.
Uraguay - could pose some problems for Mexico and France but don't expect them to advance.
Group "B"
Argentina - Easy Group for them but Diego Maradona doesn't get enough out of his Argentine line-up. Have World Cup Player of the Year in Lionel Messi. Should win this Group.
Nigeria - Will benefit from home continent advantage and look for this team to surprise and advance.
Soth Korea - Dangerous but early exit team.
Greece - Early exit adds to the countries woes of late.
Group "C"
England - Master HC Fabio Capello has one of the top contenders to go all the way. England presses the ball and play very fast for (90) minutes. The English will move on.
United States - The US had a dream draw and will use their physicality, defense, fitness and strength to move on.
Algeria - This is the least dangerous of all the (5) African teams.
Slovenia - Weakest of the European entries in the Cup field.
Group "D"
Germany - HC Joachim Low is an under rated leader and he has the best team in this highly balanced group.
Ghana - Most talent besides Germany and will look to build on second round showing in 2006 World Cup.
Australia - Dangerous and could advance.
Serbia - Balanced team but don't see them putting together three solid games in a row.
Group"E"
Netherlands - Watch out for the Dutch as they cruised through the qualifying rounds and have enough attacking flair to overpower Japan and Cameroon.
Denmark - Danes cruised through qualifying roundds and bring the same style of attacking power flair as the Dutch and should also over power Japan and Cameroon.
Japan - Should be an early exit team.
Cameroon - Indomitable Lions will make it close after failing to qualify in 2006.
Group "F"
Italy - Regaining Champion got a sweetheart draw and looks to repeat under HC Marcello Lippi.
Paraguay - The South American qualifying grind has hardened this team and they will be a tough beat.
Slovakia - Won it's European Group.
New Zealand - Early exit for the Kiwis.
Group "G"
Brazil - They are Brazil and that is all that needs to be said.
Portugal - Have 2008 Player of the Year in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ivory Coast - Sexy Sleeper until Didier Drogba broke his arm.
North Korea - Dangerous team and at least one of these heaveyweights won't survive this Group.
Group "H"
Spain - Lost only once in the past three years, to USA last June, should win this Group going away.
Honduras - Look-out for Honduras as they could turn some heads in this World Cup.
Switzerland - Chile is the game they'll need to avoid being win-less.
Chile - Doubt Chile will score many goals against this Group.
To summerize our selections and Soccers Sweet Sixteen :
Group "A" (Mexico / France)
Group "B" (Argentina / Nigeria)
Group "C" (England / United States)
Group "D" (Germany / Ghana)
Group "E" ( Netherlands / Denmark)
Group "F" (Italy / Slovakia)
Group "G" ( Portugal / Ivory Coast)
Group "H" (Spain / Honduras)
England, Spain, Italy and Brazil have to be the favorites but we like the underdog chances of Mexico, Netherlands, Ghana, Ivory Coast, United States and Denmark to possibly surprise and advance.