Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.
It is finally here!
The biggest sporting event of the summer kicks off today, as Host South Africa takes on Mexico to officially kick off the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In the question of which World Cup grouping is the toughest, though, that question is EASILY answered by three words – Group. Of. Death.
There really isn’t much of a debate to this one, as much of the soccer-loving world (i.e. much of the world) already has unofficially dubbed the teams of Group G with such an ominous moniker, and I think it is almost impossible to argue with them.
Why is it the ‘Group of Death’? Group G claims two of the top five teams in the nation (Brazil and Portugal), as well as the Ivory Coast (arguably Africa’s best hope for a title contender in this tournament), and North Korea. Each of the Group G Squads claims their own superstar talent, and the two teams that survive this first round of games (no matter who they are) will be the two most battle-tested teams alive in the tournament, and both will be legitimate contenders to make a deep run in their chase for the Cup.
Sitting in the top-seeded spot (although that is only by technicality) is the Brazilian team, who are ranked number one in the World according to the FIFA World Rankings. This team, who last year beat the U.S. in come-from-behind fashion to claim the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, already has five World Cup Championships to their name, and is led by one of the greatest players in the game today, the man simply known as Kaka.
Kaka, the 2007 World Player trophy winner, has one of the toughest shots in the game, and will certainly be a threat to score often during this 2010 World Cup tournament.
Standing in Brazil’s way, though, is the team from Portugal, who would have been clear favorites to win any of the other Groups in the tournament, had they not drawn so unfortunately. Currently ranked third in the World standings, Portugal claims their own star-studded roster, including Kaka’s Real Madrid teammate, Portugal’s team captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, whose speed on the field makes him nearly impossible to defend, claims what is likely the most dangerous foot in soccer.
Not far behind Portugal and Brazil, though, sits the Ivory Coast, who will be all too happy to pounce on the first mistake made by either of the Groups two favorites. Many have pegged the Ivory Coast as a dark horse contender who may even challenge for the cup, but of course, that would mean either Brazil or Portugal had failed to make it out of the first round.
Adding to the challenges for Ivory Coast is the recent injury for their star forward, Didier Drogba, whose return is not yet certain after having had surgery on his fractured arm last week. Drogba, who also leads England’s Chelsea club in Premier League play, netted an astonishing 44 goals last year in combined competition, and his presence (or lack thereof) on the field could be all the difference in the life or death of the Ivory Coast team.
Rounding out the Group is the North Korean team, who play the unfortunate role of longshot in this Group. Relatively untested, the North Korean team emerged as one of four qualifiers from the AFC, and will certainly have their work cut out for them if they hope to challenge in this first round of games.
Group G is called the Group of Death for a reason. Even the so-called favorites within the Group (whose rosters collectively comprise a who’s-who list of soccer’s elite) cannot be perceived as such when matched up against their competition.
Scoring will be high and the competition will be fierce. There are no free rides in Group G, and the squads that emerge victorious will certainly have earned their stripes in this one, as they will have already conquered legitimate cup contenders just to survive the first round.
This will be fun to watch!
