World Cup: A Look at the Draw

Today, we took a step closer to the World Cup. The draw for groups took place in South Africa today and we now know who everyone will need to play to get to the knockouts. I decided to do an in depth look at each group. If you know little about soccer, this should be everything you need to feel like an expert on the world's biggest sporting event. I'll offer my insight, who I believe will advance from each group, and players to watch from each team. Here we go.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

The host South Africans were given no favors with this group. They drew 3 solid teams that will likely be favored to beat them. No host nation has failed to advance to the second round but I fear this will change in 2010. France were probably praying to be drawn with the hosts, rather than the other teams from pot A. Mexico and Uruguay are solid in attack but defensively suspect. France barely squeaked through qualifying in oontroversial fashion. You have to think with their talent they'll get it all together at some point.

Look for France to advance along with Mexico, although Uruguay will be in the mix.

Players to watch:

South Africa: Steven Pienaar - midfielder
Mexico: Cuahtemoc Blanco - midfielder
Uruguay: Diego Forlan - forward
France: Frank Ribery - midfielder

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece

A tricky group for all involved. Argentina were at one point in danger of not making it to SA, but they snuck in and find themselves the favorites in group B. Nigeria is historically the most successful African side, but the past is the past. They're a side that has underachieved for years and with no real stars, they shoud have trouble. South Korea advanced from the Asian region and have a tendency to put out some inspired performances. On home soil in 2002 they advanced all the way to the semis. Greece may just be the most boring side in the tourney. They have a tendency to get a goal up then sit back and defend for the rest of the match. They are however quite successful at it I might add. They even won the Euro 2004 tournament so they can be quite effective.

Look for Argentina to advance first in this one. I'm tempted to say Greece also, but I'm going with South Korea.

Players to watch:

Argentina: Lionel Messi - forward
Nigeria: Obafemi Martins - forward
South Korea: Park Ji-Sung - midfielder
Greece: Giorgos Karagounis - midfielder

Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

This was the group I was most interested of course. Top seed England should feel fortunate with a fairly straightforward draw. They are one of the favorites and won't have a problem advancing. For the United States, we should feel fortunate for such a favorable draw. Outside of England, the other two sides are beatable. We should expect wins from these matches. Algeria and Slovenia are considered one of the weaker sides from their respective continents. Both teams will struggle to get results against the US and England. However, both teams upset quality sides just to get here. The Russians' hopes were dashed by the Slovenians while Egypt was ousted by Algeria, so an upset is not out of the question.

Look for England and the United States to make it out of this group. The USA-England match will be particularly interesting as we will want to knock the English down a peg.

Players to watch:

England: Wayne Rooney - forward
United States: Landon Donovan - forward
Algeria: Nadir Belhadj - defender
Slovenia: Milivoje Novakovic - forward

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Somewhat of a mini group of death here. Germany are given a tough draw with 3 other quality sides. The Germans should still advance here although who takes the next spot is anyone's guess. Germany were runners-up in 2002, 3rd place in 2006, and runners-up at the Euro's last year. It seems the Germans perform like a machine in these competitions and can be counted on to make progress is SA. Australia are a gritty side that put in full effort fo 90 minutes. They've beaten many a top side in the past and are no slouches here. Serbia suprisingly advanced to SA easily and put on a show. They have young attacking talent and a strong D. They have as good a chance as any to advance. Ghana are one of the strongest African sides, but they can't like this draw. Along with the other teams, they have the potential to make a splash but I don't see them getting past the group stages. They proved doubters wrong in the past however, most evident at the 2006 games.

Look for the efficient Germans to advance as always. The other side is a complete toss-up. I'll take Serbia because they ran through a tough qualifying group and have seemingly more talent than the Aussis.

Players to watch:

Germany: Lukas Podolski - forward
Australia: Tim Cahill - midfielder
Serbia: Nemanja Vidic - defender
Ghana: Michael Essien - midfielder

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

This group is underrated. It hasn't been discussed much but it is a tough one. The Dutch were among the top seeds and with the attacking talent they have they should advance with ease. Catch a Dutch match and you should be entertained. Denmark are a strong side who advanced relatively easy from Europe. They have experience and enough talent to make noise. Japan may be the weakest in the group, but that says little. They're a decent side who played the Dutch tough in a recent friendly. Cameroon are faced with a tough draw, but are still fully capable of getting through. They have attacking talent and will want to do well on their home continent.

Look for the Netherlands to advance although it will be no cake walk. Any of the other 3 could stake a claim to the last spot, but I'm taking Cameroon. They'll be an inspired side and have world class talent in certain positions.

Players to watch:

Netherlands: Robin van Persie - forward
Denmark: Nicklas Bendtner - forward
Japan: Shunsuke Nakamura - midfielder
Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o - forward

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Italy can't help but lick their chops at the look of this group. No top team was handed an easier draw. With their ultra-defensive style of play they should have no trouble. Slovakia is the side that could offer some competition. Paraguay are an average South American side that should not make much of an impact. New Zealand were the team every team wanted in their group. They may be the worst side in the tournament. Slovakia advanced from a somewhat easy group in qualifying, but should like their odds of advancing.

Look for Italy to make it through easily. Slovakia appear to be next in line mostly because NZ has no chance and Paraguay is nothing special.

Players to watch:

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon - goalkeeper
Paraguay: Salvador Cabanas - forward
New Zealand: Chris Killen - forward
Slovakia: Marek Hamsik - midfielder

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group of death, plain and simple. No one in this group is happy with the draw. Least of all the North Koreans. Making their first appearance is a world cup since 1966, they are left with no shot of advancing. Brazil are one of the favorites but are left with a tricky group with no guarentee of success. It's not all bad however. Brazil matches up well with Portugal. Both play an attacking style, but Brazil has more talent as shown by their 6-2 thrashing of the Portuguese in a friendly. The Ivory Coast were a dark horse choice to win the whole thing but now? Who knows. They are on paper the most talented African side and should still like their chances of advancing. The Portuguese have not impressed of late, but a team with that much talent is capable of beating anyone.

Look for Brazil to advance and I'm taking the Ivory Coast for the next spot. They have world class talent in the side and can overtake an underachieving Portuguese side.

Players to watch:

Brazil: Kaka - midfielder
North Korea: An Chol-Hyok - midfielder
Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba - forward
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo - forward

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

A nearly all Spanish speaking group. Spain should be happy with this favorible draw. Spain comes in as a favorite to win it all after their Euro tournament win. Spain is deep in attacking talent and should advance easily. Switzerland is no slough however. The Swiss feature a stingy defense which allowed 0 goals in the 2006 World Cup. They're well organized and well coached. Honduras was the 3rd best team from the weak CONCACAF region and will be happy just to be here at this point. Chile were known for both scoring and giving up a lot of goals in qualifying which should make for some entertaining matches. They could mount a challenge on the last spot to advance.

Look for Spain and Switzerland to advance. Honduras are not much of a threat and Chile's defense prevents them from being taken seriously.

Players to watch:

Spain: Xavi - midfielder
Switzerland: Johan Djourou - defender
Honduras: Wilson Palacios - midfielder
Chile: Alexis Sanchez - forward

That concludes my exhaustive look at the draw. I may also do a separate analysis of each team in the field at a much late date. Hope this can give any soccer novice a better idea of what's the come with this World Cup. Think of this as a World Cup preview.

Happy birtday my buddy Blake!