Mock World Cup Draw
Mock World Cup Draw:
South Africa: 2010
I hope you’ll indulge me here, we’re straddling on the outskirts of what we do here at La Liga Weekly, but since La Furia Roja are the number one team in the world, despite what FIFA or the Brazilians think about it, I’ve decided since the pots are in for tomorrow’s World Cup Draw, that I would stage a Mock World Cup Draw and take it through with predictions and all.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
| Brazil | Australia | Algeria | Denmark |
| Spain | Japan | Cameroon | France |
| Holland | North Korea | Cote D’Voire | Greece |
| Italy | South Korea | Ghana | Portugal |
| Germany | Honduras | Nigeria | Serbia |
| Argentina | Mexico | Chile | Slovakia |
| England | USA | Paraguay | Slovenia |
| S.Africa | N. Zealand | Uruguay | Switzerland |
So the process is as follows, I think. Shoot me down if I get this wrong. I am no expert and do not claim to be in World Cup roto-fantasy gobbledy-gook. I highlighted the teams I thought would go through. Blue for top of the group and Green for second.
Group A: South Africa, USA, Nigeria, Slovenia
Group B: Holland, Honduras, Chile, Portugal
Group C: Spain, Japan, Uruguay, Switzerland
Group D: Italy, Mexico, Ghana, Serbia
Group E: Brazil, North Korea, Algeria, Serbia
Group F: Argentina, New Zealand, Paraguay, Greece
A pause before moving on. The easiest groups are clearly B and E, A being easy too by a lesser degree. If there is any Group of Death I think D is appropriately. Funny how Germany got Group G. A sign maybe?
Knockout stage
- There you have it: Spain winners. Imagine that from La Liga Weekly, a Spanish centric blog. Just as a caveat, I don’t support Spain internationally. I support Italy and have since 1982; so no real bias there.
- Some surprises along the way: Interesting that so many big games, big rivalry games like England v Germany, Camerron and Cote D’Ivoire, and Brazil v Argentina, popped up early on.
- I figured upsets would favor the African teams in close games which explains South Africa qualifying second from Group A, and Cote D’Ivoire matching up well against the Brazilians.
- Of course I’m probably dead wrong which means par for the course. We could easily have our first African world cup winner, or even a 5th for Italy, either way it is going to be a great World Cup draw tomorrow and I’ll adjust this then.
I don't think Portugal would finish behind Chile. Chile is a good team but Portugal has more experience and should have a healthy Ronaldo and Boswinga in the lineup. Portugal always matches up well with Holland. It's tough to say. Anything could happen. Italy should do well but outside of Europe no European teams have won the World Cup. An interesting fact, when all previous World Cup winners have been in the World Cup, Italy has never won, whereas Brazil have. Just a fact. I think Brazil wins this World Cup and I think Spain will lose in the quarters (too much pressure and expectations on them for this tournament).
Portugal will struggle not because of who's playing but because Carlos Queiroz will still be coaching. Chile will do well because Bielsa is coaching. Oh and about Spain? People were saying the same about France before 1998. Granted it was at home but this is one of those rare World Cups that will be played in Winter-like conditions; an easier transition for European teams than for South American teams.
Portugal will struggle not because of who's playing but because Carlos Queiroz will still be coaching. Chile will do well because Bielsa is coaching. Oh and about Spain? People were saying the same about France before 1998. Granted it was at home but this is one of those rare World Cups that will be played in Winter-like conditions; an easier transition for European teams than for South American teams.
The rules of the draw prevent teams from the same regional federation from being in the same group with the exception of UEFA. So as much as I'd want to be in a group with S. Africa, Nigeria and S. Africa are prevented from doing so. The same is true for Argentina and Paraguay. Even with that, I disagree with some of your selections for Round 2. The United States would have a difficult time beating Nigeria in S. Africa. S. Africa would have an even more difficult time (Nigeria beat them home and away in 2nd round of African WC/ACN qualifiers) doing so. Qualifiers are a different thing from tournament games, and as such, I think you're mistaken in giving Chile the upper hand vs. Portugal. Portugal just has too much talent (and recently) decent organization. No chance Mexico makes it out of that group over Ghana. Ghana's midfield would run them silly. Mexico has a better chance edging Italy. And Cameroon would be hard pressed to make it out over France (who has a knack for turning it on when they need to in certain tournaments). On the other hand, Domenech is not a great coach and France can really underperform in certain tournaments, so who knows. A final point is that you have Serbia in two groups for this draw (I think you want want one of the Serbias to be replaced by Slovakia).
You have a right to your informed yet anonymous opinions. My bad about the teams from the same federations. An oversight on my part, understandable since I put it up at 3am. I still stand by the picks though. Anyways, the question is moot now I guess.