We are fast approaching the World Cup kick-off with squads being finalised, players arriving in South Africa, and the excitement growing. Our build up today continues with a preview of Group F, one which features holders Italy, along with New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay. Considered one of the easier groups to call, there could still be some upsets.
THE AZZURRI LOOK TO CLASS OF 2006 TO RETAIN THEIR CROWN
Italy finished top of their qualification group with seven wins and three draws, have an outstanding World Cup pedigree, remain a resolute side who are difficult to beat and still guided by the tactical astuteness of Marcelo Lippi. However, the odds on offer for them to retain the trophy they won in 2006 suggest they aren’t one of the favourites.
One of the causes of the pessimism is the continued reliance on the ageing core group of players from the 2006 squad. Much like France in 2002 who hardly changed their side from the one that had triumphed four years earlier, Italy could be considered vulnerable at the group stage with both Paraguay and Slovakia posing a very real threat.
Added to which their starting defence is likely to consist entirely of Juventus players, a backline which has conceded too easily this season, and Francesco Totti and Luca Toni have been controversially left at home when. Lippi’s men will therefore need to be hungry and motivated, as well as steady and reliable, to win back-to-back World Cups.
NEW ZEALAND COULD BENEFIT FROM LACK OF EXPECTATIONS
New Zealand last made the World Cup finals in 1982: not much was expected of them back them, and it won’t this time either. Whilst many consider they should just be happy to be there, it’s worth remembering how close they ran Italy in last year’s Confederations Cup, added to which they beat highly rated Serbia 1-0 in a warm up game earlier this week.
Coach Rikki Herbert, as well as guiding Wellington Phoenix to the A-League preliminary final in only their third season, took the All Whites to the finals via the play-offs with a hard fought win over Bahrain. However, in South Africa he will need to get the very best of a squad which is hardly laden with talent and for the majority of whom the domestic season finished in March.
Much will be expected from captain and Blackburn Rovers centre half Ryan Nelson, as well as Gold Coast United’s Shane Smeltz. They can’t do it all by themselves however and the feeling remains that this is a side who will do well to get a point in the group. The lack of expectations may well work in the favour though and allow them to play with a bit of extra freedom.
MAKING THE LAST 16 A MINIMUM FOR LOS ALBIRROJA
After a successful qualifying campaign in which they finished just one point behind Brazil in the South America group, expectations are high for Paraguay to make last 16 and even the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. With coach Gerardo Martino having assembled a side which is both solid at the back and fluid going forward, this could become a reality.
The squad was galvanised during qualification after the shock of hearing that top scorer Salvador Cabanas had been shot in the head in a nightclub. Cabanas survived but his goals will be missed at the tournament, with doubts existing over whether Roque Santa Cruz, after an injury hit season at Manchester City, and Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo can adequately fill in.
However, they also have Nelson Haedo Valdez ,who scored five crucial goals in qualification, to make up for Cabanas’s absence. They will be well marshalled from midfield by Cristian Riveros, whilst Justo Villar has been impressive in goal. Paraguay may not be the most fashionable South American team, but they could be the tournament’s surprise package.
SLOVAKIA READY TO IMPRESS ON WORLD CUP DEBUT
Slovakia are third favourites in the group to progress after Italy and Paraguay, but this is another team who have every chance of upsetting the odds on the back of an excellent qualification campaign. They beat both Poland and the Czech Republic to top spot, and with a smattering of players impressing across Europe they could make the group favourites sweat.
The star of the team is midfielder Marek Hamsik whose Napoli side weren’t very far off making the Champions League this season. He will be supported going forward by two rising Premier League stars who will be eager to prove themselves, Miroslav Stoch and Vladimir Weiss, whilst goalkeeper Jan Mucha and Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel will provide a solid base at the back.
Doubters might point to the fact that they were beaten twice by fellow finalists Slovenia in qualification, as well as their lack of a truly world class striker. However, they will be motivated by their chance to finally prove themselves the equals of the Czech Republic in a major international tournament and are a well drilled and ambitious side.
By Richard Bourne
TweetLike this article? Please like The Football Blog on Facebook: