Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.
It may be deceiving, but often the most difficult part of these daily debates is choosing which side – literally, today – to argue. There is so much nuance, so much that is unique, that only the right choice of topic, or side of a topic, will be credible and authentic for you – the loyal readers (and you occasional ones, too).
Bleacher Fan jumped all over this topic, selecting Group G even before the idea was fully crystallized in the production meeting. But, he jumped the gun. With injuries besetting Brazil and Cote d’Iviore’s captain, Didier Drogba, now with a broken arm, Portugal is looking more and more like the favorite side.
I was able to ring in second with my selection, and I picked well. With uncertainty in Group G, Group H has been promoted to the lofty, yet well-earned title of toughest World Cup Group to win.
Group H consists of Chile, Honduras, Spain, and Switzerland. Three of those four teams are outstanding, and one is a legitimate upset threat – even in a stacked group like H.
Before analyzing some specifics about each team, there is another more top level view that proves the worthiness of Group H. Three of the four teams rank in the top 25 of Sports Illustrated’s Power Rankings (at least according to Grant Wahl… who we’re fans of here). Group H is the only group to boast this many top tier teams. This is really important, because only the top two teams out of each group proceed out of group play. Basically, it means that Group H, to start the World Cup off, is the most competitive group in the tournament. Three legitimately great teams – and one upset special in Honduras – comprise what will be a hotly contested group complete with a tremendous amount of talent… and no big injuries to speak of.
Group H has some outstanding players. In fact, they have arguably the best goalkeeper in the entire tournament, Spain’s Iker Casillas. Spain is arguably the number one team in the world, and Casillas has a lot to do with that. Expect a few clean sheets from him. Spain also has two of the top five mid-fielders in the tournament in Xavi Hernandez (one of the best players in the world) and Andres Iniesta. Hernandez is most at home in space, where he can be creative and feed players on all sides. When paired with Iniesta – who is small but incredibly quick and difficult to tackle – give Spain a huge advantage in possession and creativity when advancing the attack. Of course forward David Villa is no slouch, either. In 55 International caps he has 37 goals, a mark matched by very few in the history of International soccer.
While the group is not suffering from any major injuries, one injury that does exist is to Spain’s Fernando Torres. Many believe, however, that Torres’ injury is really a blessing in disguise for Spain. Torres’ absence forces Spain to cover a weakness when it plays an extra defender. Now the side can play five attacking mid-fielders with Villa and be the aggressors in every match.
I realize the majority of the players I have highlighted here player for Spain. That’s no accident, as Spain is incredibly good and has earned its world number one power ranking. But the other nations represented are talented as well.
Chile is a bit of a dark horse because it has a dark horse player waiting to break out in forward Humberto Suazo. Scoring ten goals in the qualifying tournament gets you labeled as a potential breakout star. Chile is also coached by Marcelo Biesla. That may be a name you recognize, as that is the same coach who led Argentina in 2002. The match between Chile and Spain will likely be exciting, up tempo, and full of scoring.
Switzerland seems to be a side that is relentlessly underrated in every World Cup. This gathering is no different. Switzerland is always the team that does not do anything extremely well, but handles the fundamentals of the sports with aplomb. Think of Switzerland’s MLB equivalent as the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are renowned for an ability to stick to the fundamentals, avoid mistakes, and capitalize when their competition makes errors. Switzerland also has an outstanding player on the wing in Tranquillo Barnetta. While he is no match for the attack-first approach from Spain and Chile, he can break open a match with a few nice runs and earned corner kicks.
Last is Honduras, the upset-minded side in the group. Honduras does not have the talent or the steadiness the other teams in the group have, but it is home to players from many professional leagues all around the world. Goalkeeper Noel Valladares will likely not earn any clean sheets because the team’s defense simply is not that strong – especially when considering the competition.
Surprises are always present at the World Cup, and Group H could provide one. Spain is a virtual lock to advance, but the battle between Chile and Switzerland is legitimate and will be excellent. We have seen it several times in the last several international tournaments, the favorite is not a lock to win. Spain must be careful in Group H and not become overconfident. There is enough talent for a surprise, making Group H the most difficult to win in the World Cup.
