As we get ready for day 2 of round 3, here are some potential shockers to be served up by the likes of New Zealand, Ghana, and all of Group H
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
June 22, 2010
Round 3: Possibilities: Ghana, New Zealand, and Group H
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Australia,
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Ghana,
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New Zealand,
Predictions,
Round 3
As we get ready for day 2 of round 3, here are some potential shockers to be served up by the likes of New Zealand, Ghana, and all of Group H
June 16, 2010
It was the best of games, it was the worst of games
Best and worst of the first "round" of World Cup competition?
BEST
Germany - Australia
Mackenzie Phillips's father couldn't have molested Australia worse than Germany did. Tim Cahill got ejected for not tucking in his shirt.
U.S.A. - England
Can't even pretend impartiality, but wasn't it rich to watch a man's soul be crushed in instant replay? Robert Green for President!
Brazil - North Korea
Disregarding all the geopolitical curiosity of North Korea's participation, this was a relatively competitive match that showcased a baffling goal from Maicon as well as a well-orchestrated attack from the Democratic People's Republic of Football. Pyongyang 2018?
WORST
France - Uruguay
I was already kind of hungover after the opening match, and this tedious display made me want to vomit in my own mouth just to get rid of the taste.
Ivory Coast - Portugal
They kicked it back and forth for a while. Ronaldo won a Tony. I don't know.
BEST
Everybody in America has learned the word "vuvuzela."
WORST
Everybody in America is talking about the "vuvuzela." Nobody gives a damn about football.
BEST
Setting your alarm so you can get up early enough to go to the bar.
WORST
Passing out at 5:00 because you've been up drinking for 8 hours.
Feel free to play at home!
June 13, 2010
Day 3 Recap - Germany v Australia & Ghana v Serbia
Just a few thoughts on today's other matches before bedtime. I've got to catch up on sleep before tomorrow's Netherlands v Denmark match, though I'm sure the Dutch offense will provide a much-needed jolt of Adrenaline.
June 6, 2010
RE: Group D Predictions - Australia
Australia may not advance through the group. Don't expect them to give up many goals, however; their defense is the one of the most fit and athletic in the world. But what they boast in enduring defensive effort, they more than make up for with a lack of explosive offense. In the metaphorical bus of the World Cup the Australians are not exactly the fearsome, shady-eyed competition sitting across the aisle. They're the group of backpackers at the rear, swilling beer and shouting, "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"
Socceroos, indeed.
read more...
Socceroos, indeed.
Group D Predictions
Group D (in order of FIFA Rankings)
Germany (6)
Serbia (15)
Australia (20)
Ghana (32)
Let me start off by saying that this is not the group of death. That distinction, in my opinion, goes to Group F (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, and North Korea). I think group D falls short of group of death status for one simple reason: no one is going to stop Germany from winning this group. Therefore you really only have three possible scenarios for who will advance: Germany/Serbia, Germany/Australia, Germany/Ghana. That being said ill go straight to my prediction of the winner of the group.
1. Germany (7 Points)
Even without Michael Ballack, Germany will cruise through this group. There is just too much experience, physicality and scoring on this team. Germany has a very impressive World Cup qualifier 26 goals for versus 5 goals against ratio. This statistic alone tells the tale [Serbia 22-8, Australia 19-4, Ghana 20-8] because Germany has no problem getting on the board, where the rest of the teams in this group have serious trouble putting in goals against tough competition. Germany were 8-2-0 in World Cup qualifiers, and I expect them to go at least 2-1-0 in the group stages of the World Cup. I see Serbia giving them the toughest match-up problems because of strong defensive play and the way that Serbia is hot like Hansel right now.
What makes this group so interesting is the amount of parity that exists once you move past Germany. To determine who is going to nab 2nd place in this group, it really boils down to whether you think Serbia, Ghana or Australia is more likely to have a good showing. Many people argue that the continental inspiration will drive Ghana to the top. Some argue that Australia's good showings in recent friendlies bode well for them. And others say that Serbia looks too good on paper to not advance.
2. Serbia (5 Points)
The funny thing about this team is that they are good enough to shock Germany and weak enough to lose to Australia. I am predicting they tie Germany and Australia. They had a really poor showing losing to New Zealand (yes NZ!), but came back and shocked a strong Cameroon yesterday. The only reason I pick them above Ghana is because of how good they look when they are on. Again the key match up will be the 13th where they face off against Ghana, because this match will decide who takes second place and moves on. If the good Serbia shows up, I see them handling an Essien-less Ghana fairly easily, however, if the bad Serbia shows up, look for Ghana to potentially embarrass this team.
3. Ghana (3 Points)
This prediction is entirely contingent on the fact that I do not think the Black Stars can surprise Serbia in their first match on the 13th without Essien. Should they edge it out, then Ghana will clearly take 2nd place honors. The one thing I truly like about this team is their dominance in playing against African teams, including runners up at the Cup of Nations (also without Essien). However, they suffered a disastrous friendly loss to Netherlands 4-1, and barely edged a weak Latvia team 1-0. I think they could have beaten Serbia at full strength and made a run into the elimination rounds, but the way it stands right now, they are too risky to pick for the number two spot.
4. Australia (1 Points)
I really just don't like this team. They had the easiest road to qualifying, they are called the Socceroos and they looked very underwhelming against the U.S. yesterday. A lot of people have Australia as a sleeper pick, but I'm not a believer, they will lose, nuff said.
read more...
Germany (6)
Serbia (15)
Australia (20)
Ghana (32)
Let me start off by saying that this is not the group of death. That distinction, in my opinion, goes to Group F (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, and North Korea). I think group D falls short of group of death status for one simple reason: no one is going to stop Germany from winning this group. Therefore you really only have three possible scenarios for who will advance: Germany/Serbia, Germany/Australia, Germany/Ghana. That being said ill go straight to my prediction of the winner of the group.
1. Germany (7 Points)
Even without Michael Ballack, Germany will cruise through this group. There is just too much experience, physicality and scoring on this team. Germany has a very impressive World Cup qualifier 26 goals for versus 5 goals against ratio. This statistic alone tells the tale [Serbia 22-8, Australia 19-4, Ghana 20-8] because Germany has no problem getting on the board, where the rest of the teams in this group have serious trouble putting in goals against tough competition. Germany were 8-2-0 in World Cup qualifiers, and I expect them to go at least 2-1-0 in the group stages of the World Cup. I see Serbia giving them the toughest match-up problems because of strong defensive play and the way that Serbia is hot like Hansel right now.
What makes this group so interesting is the amount of parity that exists once you move past Germany. To determine who is going to nab 2nd place in this group, it really boils down to whether you think Serbia, Ghana or Australia is more likely to have a good showing. Many people argue that the continental inspiration will drive Ghana to the top. Some argue that Australia's good showings in recent friendlies bode well for them. And others say that Serbia looks too good on paper to not advance.
2. Serbia (5 Points)
The funny thing about this team is that they are good enough to shock Germany and weak enough to lose to Australia. I am predicting they tie Germany and Australia. They had a really poor showing losing to New Zealand (yes NZ!), but came back and shocked a strong Cameroon yesterday. The only reason I pick them above Ghana is because of how good they look when they are on. Again the key match up will be the 13th where they face off against Ghana, because this match will decide who takes second place and moves on. If the good Serbia shows up, I see them handling an Essien-less Ghana fairly easily, however, if the bad Serbia shows up, look for Ghana to potentially embarrass this team.
3. Ghana (3 Points)
This prediction is entirely contingent on the fact that I do not think the Black Stars can surprise Serbia in their first match on the 13th without Essien. Should they edge it out, then Ghana will clearly take 2nd place honors. The one thing I truly like about this team is their dominance in playing against African teams, including runners up at the Cup of Nations (also without Essien). However, they suffered a disastrous friendly loss to Netherlands 4-1, and barely edged a weak Latvia team 1-0. I think they could have beaten Serbia at full strength and made a run into the elimination rounds, but the way it stands right now, they are too risky to pick for the number two spot.
4. Australia (1 Points)
I really just don't like this team. They had the easiest road to qualifying, they are called the Socceroos and they looked very underwhelming against the U.S. yesterday. A lot of people have Australia as a sleeper pick, but I'm not a believer, they will lose, nuff said.
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