More than the number of nations in the United Nations started to play for qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa from all continents of the world. Winning the FIFA World Cup is the ultimate dream for any football player, coach, any other member of a team staff and any football fan in the world. But only 32 teams could keep that dream alive for this world cup.
- Algeria
- Cameroon
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Australia
- Japan
- Korea DPR
- Korea Republic
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- New Zealand
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
So which teams have this quality in their squads and which players are to watch in this world cup?
These teams are the real deals for this world cup.
Argentina
Their road to South Africa was a tough one. Maradona doesn't seems to be a good coach as much as he was as a player. But still you can't keep them out of top contenders list while world player of the year Lionel Messi , 2nd top scorer of Spanish la liga Gonzalo Higuain , Center Forward of the Champions League winnig team Inter Milan and 2nd highest scorer in Italian Serie A Diego Milito, Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez , and top scorer with 23 goals in Argentina colors Sergio Aguero
This outstanding attacking line up will be supplied by world one of best holding mid fielders Javier MASCHERANO .
Weak link is the Defence.
Gonzalo Higuain
Lionel Messi
Brazil
They are the masters of world football. They are the only team could qualified for all the world cups. They have won the world cup 5 times in 4 different continents, runners up twice, have won matches and scored goals more than any other nation in world cup history.
They come in to this world cup as a strong team as usual. Their squad consist of quality players and they are confidence about it even to leave a great legend like Ronaldinho out of the squad.
They have both the best right backs Maicon and Dani Alves . Forward players to watch are Center Forward Luis Fabiano, winger Robinho and attcking mid and the play maker Ricardo Kaka.
Luis Fabiano
Maicon
England
England is one of teams that had a great run in qualifications. When Steve McLaren couldn't make England qualified to EURO, Fabio Capello was appointed and man took through the same team to the world cup with a stunning 9 wins in their 10 games in qualifications.
England squad is one of most balanced sides in this world cup. Their defense consists of one of world best 2 left backs Ashley Cole of Chelsea, 2 of best center backs in the world John Terry of Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United. Central midfield will be filled with 2 of probably the best goal scoring midfielders in the world, Frank Lampard the penalty specialist and the most consistent goal scoring midfielder of the world and Steven Gerrard the 2nd highest hope of goal source in Liverpool. You can't imagine better couple of goal scoring central midfielders other than them. They will be supported by lighting fast wingers Aron Lennon and Shawn Right Phillips.
If there's weak link in their teams it's in strikers. But still they have Wayne Rooney, one striker who is in a tremendous form of goal scoring after Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United. But the question is there's no world class striker to replace him in a case. Only possible replacement is Jermain Defoe who is in good goal scoring form in club level. But can he deliver the same in international level?
Frank Lampard
Ashley Cole
France
May be the most unpredictable team in world football. In last world cup they just confirmed their spot in last 16, in last match of the group stage by winning that must win match. And then they went all the way to finals and almost grab the trophy for the second time. On the way they beat Brazil and Portugal.
This time also they qualified for the last 32 teams thanks to the hand of Thierry Henry. No one knows how far will they go, but do not surprise if you heard France won it for the second time.
Surprising not to see Karim Benzema's name and Samir Nasri's name in the squad. Two good assets of world and french football, we're little unlucky to miss their skills in this world cup. But still they have Frank Ribery a left winger whose service is being considered by many top European clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid. It doesn't matter how good is the supply chain if there's no one to finish it off. Nicolas Anelka is probably the coolest finisher in world football, do not get panic at all and wait fot pull the trigger at the perfect moment. Attacking will be further strengthen by Thierry Henry the man who took France to the South Africa by his hand. There are great players, world class players and then legends. Thierry Henry is a legend in world football.
Nicolas Anelka
Frank Ribery
Germany
After Brazil, Germany have been the best performers in the world cup history. They've been in 7 times in final and won 3 out of them. Only Bayern Munchen is the consistent top club in Germany. Lot of German players are not being mentioned in European club level football, but when they play in German colors they are brilliant. Best example is Lukas Podolski. PLays for FC Koln a club which is playing just for not to relegate from Bundes Liga. Podolski failed to perform consistently in last couple of years in club football. But when every time he plays for Germany he scores. Mirslav Klose is the main goal scoring source of German football team. An important player to watch in the midfield is Bastian Schweinsteiger . A very good long range shooter and advances to goal scoring positions well in international level. Width will be provided by Philipp Lahm who is another world class full back to keep your eye on, specially when Germany is attacking.
Mirslav Klose
Bastian Shweinsteiger
Netherland
Netherland is another team who have a great attacking force. Robin Van Persie the only world class striker Arsenal had before Arshavin came, will lead the dutch attgoal keeper.ack with the side support from attacking wingers Arjen Robben the MVP of Bundes Liga in last season and Dirk Kuyt of liverpool who does a similar role in Liverpool assisting for Torres.
Champions League winning Inter Milan play maker Wesley Sneijder and Real Madrid attacking mid Rafael Van der vaart will also join this attacking force which make Netherland, a team that can be a nightmare to any goal keeper.
Dutch striking force is enough to win the world cup if they had a same quality defense, but dutch defenders are not among the world most recognized top defenders list. In the mean time there's a saying "Best way to defend is Attacking".
Robin Van Persie
Arjen Robben
Spain
European champions are the top favorites to winning the world cup along with Brazil due to their performance in Euro 2008 and until the end of world cup qualifications where they won all of them. They are ranked in 2 in FIFA ranking seconds only to Brazil who won the confederation cup last year.
Their squad probably the best squad flied to South Africa, consists of 4 players chosen to the FIFA team of the year as Goal keeper Iker Casillas, Midfielder Xavi Hernandez who also were the player of the tournament of Euro 2008, Andres Iniesta attacking winger and Fernando Torres who probably the best center forward in the world. Other positions also will be filled with world finest footballers like Cesc Fabregas the Arsenal play maker and probably the most valuable midfielder in the world, David Villa the highest goal scorer in Euro 2008 and one of best strikers in the world, Carlos Puyol a center back who can be put along side with Vidic, Ferdinand and Terry, and Xabi Alonso defensive mid fielder with long range striking ability.
David Villa
Andres Iniesta
So these teams are the top contenders who have quality squads and background to win the world cup. But in this level of football margin of error is too small which can be made even by the best player of the world and all the players in all of above teams are professional footballers who are more than good enough to grab that kind of chance which can lead to make a huge difference in the competition.
So enjoy the world cup, enjoy the football not goals, because in modern day football defensive tactics have been improved a lot and goals will not come easily. See you after the group stage with a group stage matches analysis.
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