Monday, June 05, 2006
World Cup Preview: Group G
Teams: France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo
History: France is the only former champion in this group, winning at home in 1998. It has been either feast or famine for the French throughout history, as they have made it as far as the semi-final on three other occasions as well, but aside from those it has mainly been group stage elimination or non quaification. They were favourites in 2002, but went home stunned and embarassed after failing to score a single goal. Switzerland had moderate success early in the tournament's history, but have only qualified once since 1970, that being in 1994. South Korea's only success came on home soil in 2002 when they made it all the way to the semi-final. They have never won a game besides in that tournament despite quaifying several times. Like most of the other African nations, Togo is playing in their first World Cup.
France: Out of all the "giant" nations, France appears to be the most vulnerable. This was expected to be a new generation of French players, but when they struggled early in qualifying, the old gaurd had to come in to save the day. Zinedine Zidane, Lillian Thuram, and Claude Makelele all came out of retirement after hanging up their boots after Euro 2004. This team certainly has the talent to compete, but it must be somewhat unsettling to French fans that this is mainly the same team that flamed out so spectacularly in 2002, and was sent home early at Euro 2004. The defense looks more than capable with veterans Thuram, William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, and Willy Sagnol, and 'keeper Fabian Barthez is still reliable. Up front they boast David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry, one of the world's top strikers, though he has fared poorly in important games. The midfield is the clear weakness. Zidane, Makelele and Patrick Viera were stallions in their day, but they are in the twilight of great careers. Young Franck Ribery could inject energy if coach Raymond Domenech decides to use him. France may dream of legendary Zidane going out with a second world title, but realistically a quarter-final berth may be all that's left in the tank.
Switzerland: This is a team on the rise, and this World Cup should be a good setup for 2008, when the Swiss co-host the European championship. The more experienced Alexander Frei will lead a troop of young stars that could surprise in Germany. 13 of the 23 men on the roster are under 25 years of age, and are highlighted by 21 year old Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, Tranquillo Barnetta in the midfeild, also 21, and forward Johann Vonlanthen who is even younger. Other key players will be Johann Vogel and Raphael Wicky in the midfield. The Swiss won rather infrequently in quaifying, but didn't lose often either. Importantly, two of the numerous tie games they played came against France. Switzerland should have plenty of confidence and youthful exuberance, and don't be too surprised if they even top the group.
South Korea: The Korean's come into Germany with the momentum of their surprise run the the semi-final in 2002, but also the knowledge that they've never won a tournament game on foreign soil. They have several returnees from the last time around, including quality goalkeeper Jae-Woon Lee. Veteran Jin-Cheul Choi will anchor the defense, and will be surounded mostly by younger players at the back. In the midfield will be Manchester United's versatile Ji-Sung Park, who is probably the best player South Korea will send to the tournament. Dong-Gook Lee is out injured, so the go-to forward will likely be Jung-Hwan Ahn, a goalscoring hero from 2002, but also a player that has seen limited action with his club team recently. The second round is a realistic goal for the Koreans, but recent friendly results, a 3-1 loss to Ghana, and a 0-0 draw with Norway, leave reason for concern.
Togo: Togo comes into the tournament as one of the great unknowns. They were surprise qualifyers, ahead of Senegal, but then fared horrendously at the African Nations Cup, going 0-5. Many of their players toil in the third and fourth divisions on European club teams. The lone recognizable figure is Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor, only 22, but by far and away the best Togo has to offer. In net is the only other position of relative strength with Kossi Agassa, though he has only recently returned from injury and might not be in top form. The squad as a whole will be patchwork, and will need to hope they gel together quickly. If recent exhibition matches are any indicator, things appear grim after only managing a 1-0 victory over lowly Liechtenstein. But remember that in 2002 another unknown African team shocked the world by ousting France, they being the very same Senegal team that Togo knocked out in qualifying, so anything is possible.
Match to Watch: France v Switzerland, June 13. It will be very interesting to see how the aging favorite France deals with the upstart Swiss. The winner of this game almost certainly goes through to round 2, but a loss or even a draw could mean a pressure packed final two matches, especially for France.
Prediction: 1) France, 2) Switzerland, 3) South Korea, 4) Togo. It is very tempting to take Switzerland first. But I'll predict they draw with France and the French top them on the goal differntial tie-breaker beacuse if he's up to it, Henry could have a field day against Togo. South Korea will compete but wont have the home crowd to give them the extra boost. Togo appears to be a mess and hopefully wont embarass themelves.
History: France is the only former champion in this group, winning at home in 1998. It has been either feast or famine for the French throughout history, as they have made it as far as the semi-final on three other occasions as well, but aside from those it has mainly been group stage elimination or non quaification. They were favourites in 2002, but went home stunned and embarassed after failing to score a single goal. Switzerland had moderate success early in the tournament's history, but have only qualified once since 1970, that being in 1994. South Korea's only success came on home soil in 2002 when they made it all the way to the semi-final. They have never won a game besides in that tournament despite quaifying several times. Like most of the other African nations, Togo is playing in their first World Cup.
France: Out of all the "giant" nations, France appears to be the most vulnerable. This was expected to be a new generation of French players, but when they struggled early in qualifying, the old gaurd had to come in to save the day. Zinedine Zidane, Lillian Thuram, and Claude Makelele all came out of retirement after hanging up their boots after Euro 2004. This team certainly has the talent to compete, but it must be somewhat unsettling to French fans that this is mainly the same team that flamed out so spectacularly in 2002, and was sent home early at Euro 2004. The defense looks more than capable with veterans Thuram, William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, and Willy Sagnol, and 'keeper Fabian Barthez is still reliable. Up front they boast David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry, one of the world's top strikers, though he has fared poorly in important games. The midfield is the clear weakness. Zidane, Makelele and Patrick Viera were stallions in their day, but they are in the twilight of great careers. Young Franck Ribery could inject energy if coach Raymond Domenech decides to use him. France may dream of legendary Zidane going out with a second world title, but realistically a quarter-final berth may be all that's left in the tank.
Switzerland: This is a team on the rise, and this World Cup should be a good setup for 2008, when the Swiss co-host the European championship. The more experienced Alexander Frei will lead a troop of young stars that could surprise in Germany. 13 of the 23 men on the roster are under 25 years of age, and are highlighted by 21 year old Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, Tranquillo Barnetta in the midfeild, also 21, and forward Johann Vonlanthen who is even younger. Other key players will be Johann Vogel and Raphael Wicky in the midfield. The Swiss won rather infrequently in quaifying, but didn't lose often either. Importantly, two of the numerous tie games they played came against France. Switzerland should have plenty of confidence and youthful exuberance, and don't be too surprised if they even top the group.
South Korea: The Korean's come into Germany with the momentum of their surprise run the the semi-final in 2002, but also the knowledge that they've never won a tournament game on foreign soil. They have several returnees from the last time around, including quality goalkeeper Jae-Woon Lee. Veteran Jin-Cheul Choi will anchor the defense, and will be surounded mostly by younger players at the back. In the midfield will be Manchester United's versatile Ji-Sung Park, who is probably the best player South Korea will send to the tournament. Dong-Gook Lee is out injured, so the go-to forward will likely be Jung-Hwan Ahn, a goalscoring hero from 2002, but also a player that has seen limited action with his club team recently. The second round is a realistic goal for the Koreans, but recent friendly results, a 3-1 loss to Ghana, and a 0-0 draw with Norway, leave reason for concern.
Togo: Togo comes into the tournament as one of the great unknowns. They were surprise qualifyers, ahead of Senegal, but then fared horrendously at the African Nations Cup, going 0-5. Many of their players toil in the third and fourth divisions on European club teams. The lone recognizable figure is Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor, only 22, but by far and away the best Togo has to offer. In net is the only other position of relative strength with Kossi Agassa, though he has only recently returned from injury and might not be in top form. The squad as a whole will be patchwork, and will need to hope they gel together quickly. If recent exhibition matches are any indicator, things appear grim after only managing a 1-0 victory over lowly Liechtenstein. But remember that in 2002 another unknown African team shocked the world by ousting France, they being the very same Senegal team that Togo knocked out in qualifying, so anything is possible.
Match to Watch: France v Switzerland, June 13. It will be very interesting to see how the aging favorite France deals with the upstart Swiss. The winner of this game almost certainly goes through to round 2, but a loss or even a draw could mean a pressure packed final two matches, especially for France.
Prediction: 1) France, 2) Switzerland, 3) South Korea, 4) Togo. It is very tempting to take Switzerland first. But I'll predict they draw with France and the French top them on the goal differntial tie-breaker beacuse if he's up to it, Henry could have a field day against Togo. South Korea will compete but wont have the home crowd to give them the extra boost. Togo appears to be a mess and hopefully wont embarass themelves.
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