By Dr Paul: By now you’ve made your predictions. You’ve studied the wallcharts and plotted teams’ courses through the tournament, arriving at you final four. You will have probably studied the form guides and identified several dark horses teams that, judging from past World Cups, will start off slowly, build momentum and suddenly find themselves in the latter stages with a real shot at winning. During my own predictive processes, it struck me that this may be the closest ever World Cup to call. In some ways, it’s insulting to label talented, if hitherto unknown teams, as dark horses – this doesn’t afford them the justice they deserve. So I’m going to go through a group of teams I’ve selected as ones to watch and examine their credentials, and uncover why each and every one demands to be taken seriously.
South Africa. Hosts but often derided as also-rans. With a very vocal home support behind them, and a decent showing in last year’s Confederations Cup, cannot be taken lightly.
France. I include France in this group of teams because so many have written them off. Although Raymond Domenech may not be everyone’s cup of tea, France often flatter to deceive. A decidedly dodgy qualifying campaign belies a hugely talented squad. And we all know what happened in 2006.
Mexico. A strong showing against England and an excellent, deserved win against Italy in the pre-tournament friendlies uncovered a team full of movement and exciting attacking play.
Uruguay. My ‘dark horse’ for the tournament, with the potential to go to the semis. If they can get out of the group, they have the likes of Forlan and Lodeiro, and, more excitingly, Luis Suarez. The striker has scored 85 in 120 games for Ajax.
Greece. Many people’s opinions of Greece stem from their surprise win at Euro 2004. In qualifying they played good football, going against the grain of perceived wisdom and with their country in turmoil back home, now is the perfect time to ride the wave of national responsibility. Greece may surprise many. Again!
USA. Coach Bradley has spoken openly in the lead-up to the match against England how he admires Fabio Capello’s approach to the game – expect the US to be well organised and capable of causing an upset on the counter attack. They beat Spain in last year‚Äôs Confederations Cup.
Serbia. With the likes of the familiar Vidic and Ivanovic at the back, Serbia may be difficult to beat. Milan Jovovic will provide the firepower.
Denmark. Those who don’t think Denmark will go far must look again at their qualifying campaign – they beat Portugal to top spot and dumped out Sweden and Russia. A quarter-final spot may be beckoning.
Italy. Although one of the Big Eight, many people are writing off this team already. Too old they say. Too immobile they reckon. Lacking in flair they grumble. Yes, there was a tricky qualifying campaign and an inauspicious batch of pre-tournament friendlies, but we’ve been here before with this team. Write them off at your peril. Not as old as you think and a traditionally excellent tournament team.
Paraguay. The next in the batch of talented South American teams who have a real chance of qualifying for round two. Roque Santa Cruz may be enigmatic in the Premiership, but his form for Paraguay is good. And then there’s the exciting Oscar Cardozo.
Slovakia. They may be making their debut, but with players like Napoli’s Marek Hamsik on board, they have a chance of progressing. They dumped out Poland and the Czech Republic in qualifying.
Chile. The team I’m most looking forward to seeing in the World Cup. After beating Argentina in qualifying, and only finishing second to Brazil in the table, this team cannot be overlooked. Small in stature, ex-Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has nonetheless set the team up to attack. Exciting striker Humberto Suazo is injured for the opening game against Spain, but also look out for 21-year-old Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez. Sadly, they could face Brazil in the second round.
Other teams, like Honduras and South Korea, boast household Premiership names, which suggest that more or less every team in this World Cup has a chance of causing an upset. It could be a fantastic month.