2010 World cup: C group analysis
Contrary to popular perception, this is not going to be easy group for England. USA has capability to top group as it reached finals in Confederation cups and is looking good in warm-up games while England performance is not convincing. Absence of Rio Ferdinand is another blow. Slovenia and Algeria are responsible for non-qualification of top teams like Russia and Egypt (FIFA Rank 11 & 12).
Qualification of Group C teams:
1. England: Easily qualified by crushing all opponents including Croatia.
2. USA: Topped CONCACAF group. Mexico was second. It indirectly helped Honduras to qualify for world cup.
3. Slovenia: They qualified by beating Russia in a play-off.
4. Algeria: They qualified by beating Egypt in a play-off.
Analysis of Group C teams:
1. England: In stead of peaking at right time, they are struggling with lack of form and injuries etc. Rio Ferdinand is out of world cup while Gareth Barry will not play in crucial game against USA. But, it has many world class players and an exceptional coach. It may not be easy for this squad to top Group C. Ashley Cole is best left back in world while Wayne Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard are world class in their places.
2. USA: It may be difficult for them to defeat England but has potential top Group C. They are looking good in warm-up games and defeated Spain in semi-finals of Confederations cup and fought hard against Brazil in final. Most dangerous side in tournament along with Chile, Mexico among second rung squads. Landon Donovan and Altidore combination can terrorise even strong defences. Spain and Brazil knew it.
3. Slovenia: Slovenia believes in team spirit and defeated Czech Republic and Russia with that game plan. They can frustrate England and USA.
4. Algeria: It is not looking that much good despite its victory over Egypt.
Predictions on group C teams:
1. England: It should top Group C but not easy. First game against USA will decide its fate. Second placed team may face Germany in second round. If England tops group C, it can reach semi-finals due to easy draw.
2. USA: It may aim to top group C by exposing England defence. Second placed team story will end in second round against Germany.
3. Slovenia: May exit from group stage.
4. Algeria: may exit from group stage.
Final analysis of Group C:
USA and England will top group C and may face Germany and Serbia in second round. If England can top group, it can easily reach semi-final and may face Brazil/Holland in semi-finals. This England team has no chance against those top class teams.
Most crucial game: England Vs USA (first game in group C)
Schedule of Group C games:
Date | IST | Venue and City | Soccer Game |
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June 13 | 12 AM | Royal Bafokeng stadium, Rustenburg | |
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| June 14 | 5 PM | Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane | Slovenia Vs Algeria |
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| June 18 | 7:30 PM | Ellis Park stadium, Johannesburg | USA Vs Slovenia |
June 19 | 12 AM | Green Point stadium, Cape Town | England Vs Algeria |
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June 23 | 7:30 PM | Nelson Mandela stadium, Port Elizabeth | England Vs Slovenia |
June 23 | 7:30 PM | Loftus Versfled stadium, Pretoria | USA Vs Algeria |
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Group C sqauds and analysis:
| England | USA | Slovenia | Algeria |
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World Cup Appearances: | 12 times | 9 times | Once in 2002 | 2 times |
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Best Performance: | Won world cup in 1966 | Semi-finals in 1930 | Exited from group stage | Exited from group stage |
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FIFA ranking: | 8 | 14 | 25 | 30 |
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My Rating: | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | 5/5/10 |
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| Coach Name: | Fabio Capello | Bob Bradley | Matzaz Kek | Rabah Saadane |
Coach rating: | 9/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
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Captain: | Steven Gerrard | Carlos Bocanegra | Robert Koren | Yazid Mansouri |
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Squad: |
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Goalkeepers: |
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1. | David James | Tim Howard | Samir Handanovic | Fawzi Chaouchi |
2. | Joe Hart | Brad Guzan | Jasmin Handanovic | Lounes Gaouaoui |
3. | Robert Green | Marcus Hahnemann | Aleksander Seliga | M’bohi Rais Ouhed |
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Defenders: |
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1. | John Terry | Carlos Bocanegra | Bojan Jokic | Madjid Bougherra |
2. | Ashley Cole | Oguchi Onyewu | Bostjan Cesar | Rafik Halliche |
3. | Jamie Carragher | Jonathan Bornstein | Miso Brecko | Nadir Belhadj |
4. | Glen Johnson | Jonathan Spector | Marko Suler | Anther Yahia |
5. | Ledley King | Carlos Bocanegra | Elvedin Dzinic | Abdelkader Laifaoui |
6. | Matthew Upson | Jay DeMerit | Branko Ilic | Djamel Mesbah |
7. | Stephen Warnock | Clarence Goodson | Matej Mavric-Rozic | Habib Belaid |
8. | Michael Dawson |
| Suad Filekovic | Carl Medjani |
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Midfielders: |
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1. | Steven Gerrard | Landon Donovan | Dalibor Stevanovic | Medhi Lacen |
2. | Michael Bradley | Robert Koren | Hassen Yebda | |
3. | James Milner | Clint Dempsey | Rene Krhin | Riad Boudebouz |
4. | Joe Cole | Ricardo Clark | Andraz Kirm | Yazid Mansouri |
5. | Gareth Barry | DaMarcus Beasley | Andrej Komac | Fouad Kadir |
6. | Aaron Lennon | Maurice Edu | Valter Birsa | Adlane Guedioura |
7. | Shaun Phillips | Benny Feilhaber | Radosavljevic | Djamel Abdoun |
8. | Michael Carrick | Stuart Holden |
| Karim Ziani |
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| Jose Torres |
| Karim Matmour |
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Forwards: |
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1. | Jozy Altidore | Milivoje Novakovic | Abdelkader Ghezzal | |
2. | Jermain Defoe | Herculez Gomez | Zlatko Dedic | Rafik Saifi |
3. | Peter Crouch | Edson Buddle | Zlatan Ljubijankic | Rafik Djebbour |
4. | Emile Heskey | Robbie Findley | Tim Matavz |
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| Nejc Pecnik |
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Share your views on Group C teams and predict their progress in 2010 football world cup.
