6/24/10

Topic 1: World Cup

Results

Denmark 1-3 Japan

Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon

Netherlands wins Group E, Japan advances

Slovakia 3-2 Italy

Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand

Paraguay wins Group F, Slovakia advances.

ANALYSIS

Group G (The Group of Death)

Brazil (2-0-0, 6 pts, +3 gd) The best in the world until someone proves otherwise.

Portugal (1-1-0, 4 pts, +7 gd) They might prove otherwise, but even if they don't, they will advance to the knockout phase on the strength of their dismantling of North Korea. They are a legitimate threat to win the championship.

Ivory Coast (0-1-1, 1 pt, -2 gd) For the second World Cup in a row, the Elephants have fallen prey to the group of death. There's no shame in a loss to Brazil, and a draw with Portugal is something to be proud of, those two results will compbine to doom Drogba and company unless they can utterly destroy North Korea and get a great deal of help from a big victory by the the Brazilians.

North Korea (0-0-2, 0 pts, -8 gd) Boy, did Kim Jong-Il choose the wrong event for live uncensored broadcast, or what? Neither as good as their inspiring display against Brazil, nor as bad as their punching bag performance against Portugal, the Chollima remain a mystery. One suspects the truth of their quality runs closer to the second result than the first, which is bad news heading towards a showdown with an Ivory Coast side in desperate need of bunches of goals. losing by less than 3 should be looked on as an accomplishment.

Predictions

North Korea 1-4 Ivory Coast

Portugal 0-2 Brazil

Brazil wins Group G, Portugal advances.

Group H

Chile (2-0-0, 6 pts, +2 gd) Chile have played solidly thus far and somehow managed the near-impossible task of scoring on Switzerland. As the only team in the group that completely controls it's own destiny, The Chileans must secure at least a draw with ultratalented Spain to win the group and avoid a likely date with Brazil in the round of 16. a loss puts them potentially out of the tournament.

Spain (1-0-1, 3 pts, +1 gd) Unexpectedly inconsistent, La Furia Roja have played well in stretches, and have played the most aesthetically pleasing soccer in the tournament. They are certainly the most talented team in the group (and arguably the world), but they need to beat a very solid Chilean team to feel comfortable about their chances. The dream scenario for a soccer fan is for them and Brazil to finish in some combination of first and second in their groups, leading to the match of the Cup in the knockout round.

Switzerland (1-0-1, 3 pts, 0 gd) They need to win by multiple goals. The good news: Honduras can't score on them. The bad news: they're no offensive juggernaught themselves.

Honduras (0-0-2, 0 pts, -3 gd) The Hondurans have played to the best of their abilities, but it's clear that they don't have what it takes to compete with the best in the world.

Predictions

Switzerland 2-0 Honduras

Chile 2-3 Spain

Spain wins Group H, Switzerland advances.

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