Re: World Soccer XIII: Through the Group Stages
And now for part two:
Group C:
As geeked as I was about the USA being drawn with England in the World Cup (I claim English descent - well, more specifically Cornish), I and many other will have to put those secondary allegiances aside. However, the good news is that their being in the same group makes a meeting in the knockout phase, where even more will be on the line, relatively unlikely.
Fun statistic: The United States has a decent record of 1-1-1 in opening group games against teams not starting in 'Cz' (and the loss was to Germany). England's is 2-0-1 and includes not particularly impressive wins over Tunisia (2-0 with the second coming late from Paul Scholes), a draw with Sweden and 2006's dour 1-0 win over Paraguay.
Further, the English haven't played terribly well in the last few weeks and are bound to be suffering a little in the cohesion department while plugging in a new captain. If we are to get them, this is as good a time as any.
I see Saturday's game being rather tense and not particularly fun to watch in the first half-hour, but I think the USA will get the first goal. England will sputter well into the second half until the USA's defense springs a leak again and they get an equalizer around the 70-minute mark. When all is said and done, England won't get enough going to get a winner, no matter how hard the USA tries, and the match will end in a 1-1 draw.
As for Algeria and Slovenia, I'm going to peg that one for a draw too.
In Round 2, both England and USA play significantly better and pull out 3-1 victories, with England's against Algeria looking a tad more impressive than the USA's.
Less fun fact: The USA's record since 1990 in their final group game: a miserable 0-5 (Austria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Poland, Ghana). I fear this is going to be a very difficult game for the US. I expect them to suck and trail for a significant portion before hauling themselves up by the bootstraps to win 2-1. Unlike their previous opponents in those pitfalls, Algeria's not good enough to hold them down. England, meanwhile, cruise past Slovenia 3-1 and win the group on goal difference.
Predicted Standings: England 7 (+4 GD), USA 7 (+3 GD), Slovenia 1, Algeria 1.
Group D:
There has been much ado about this being the Group of Death, but in reality, I think it may be the Group of Overrated.
Australia was a nice story the last time around, but they are too old to run with this bunch. Germany have too many injuries, no keeper and are too young. Serbia utterly folded when faced with a tough group last time around. Ghana is missing its best player.
Round 1: The Serbians begin another tour of disappointment, as a decent, but not fantastic Ghana squad wins 2-0. The Soccerroos can't keep up with what German quality is available and lose by the same scoreline.
Round 2: Plays right into Germany's hands. IIRC, both teams will try and play big and strong and physical and the Germans are just better at it. Germany wins comfortably. The Soccerroos, knowing that their tournament is on the line, give Ghana a good game, but lose on a late goal.
Round 3: Ghana outplays Germany thoroughly, but in that way the Germans always seem to do, they salvage a point. Australia and Serbia play a meaningless 1-1 draw.
Predicted Standings: Germany 7 (+3 GD), Ghana 7 (+2 GD), Australia 1, Serbia 1.
and he pondered, "how can you like a sport that has TIES!?!"
