2010 World cup: H group analysis
Spain and Chile are in easy group and easily reach second round from Group H. Spain has strongest squad in the tournament and should win world cup unless they choke at crucial moments. Switzerland and Chile have little chance against Spain and Chile. Unlike in other group, it is easy to predict top finishers in group H.
Qualification of group H teams:
1. Spain: Spain crushed all opponents in world cup qualifiers and won all 10 games.
2. Chile: It stood second behind Brazil in South American qualifying group ahead of Paraguay and Argentina.
3. Switzerland: They topped their European qualifying group.
4. Honduras: They qualified in last minute. USA helped in its cause.
Analysis of Group H teams:
1. Spain: Spain won Euro 2008 but its performance in warm-up games is not constsnt. But, Spain has too many world class players to defeat Switzerland and Honduras. But, Spain struggled defeat teams like Saudi Arabia and South Korea in warm-up games but crushed Poland in last game. Spain is boasting of almost 10 footballers in top 30 Castrol rankings. Unless they choke, they are favourites to reach finals.
2. Chile: They are in roaring form and has potential to upset equations by defeating even Spain. Chile Vs Spain game is crucial. But, Chile has weak defence which Spanish forwards may enjoy. Chile has very good coach. Chile has one of best forward line-ups in tournament.
3. Switzerland: They play as a team but may find it difficult to defeat Spain and Chile. It is betting on its organisational style of play.
4. Honduras: It is too difficult to win even a single game in world cup. Lack of expectations is a bonus.
Predictions on group H teams:
1. Spain: Spain may top the group. But, it should defeat Chile. Spain may face Portugal in second round. Spain has potential to win world cup.
2. Chile: If Chile fails to defeat Spain, their story will end in second round (Brazil). Chile, Mexico and USA have potential to upset equations with sensational wins in group stage. No one should underestimate them.
3. Switzerland: May exit from group stage.
4. Honduras: May exit from group stage.
Final analysis of Group H:
Spain and Chile can top group H. Both teams will face tough opponents (Brazil and Portugal) in second round. Every team wants to top group H. Second placed team will face Brazil in second round. No one can defeat Spain except itself. Like Holland, Spain is famous for losses in knockout games.
Unthinkable but possible: Chile is in good form with very good attackers. If Chile tops group, title favourites- Brazil and Spain will clash in second round. That is all about football.
Schedule of Group H games:
Date | IST | Venue and City | Soccer Game |
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June 16 | 5:00 PM | Mbombela stadium, Nelspruit | Chile Vs Honduras |
June 16 | 7:30 PM | Durban stadium, Durban | Spain Vs Switzerland |
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June 21 | 7:30 PM | Nelson Mandela stadium, Port Elizabeth | Chile Vs Switzerland |
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June 22 | 12:00 AM | Ellis Park stadium, Johannesburg | Spain Vs Honduras |
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June 26 | 12:00 AM | Loftus versfled stadium, Pretoria | Spain Vs Chile |
June 26 | 12:00 AM | Free Stae stadium, Bloemfontein | Switzerland Vs Honduras |
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Group H sqauds and analysis:
| Spain | Chile | Switzerland | Honduras |
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World Cup Appearances: | 12 | 7 | 8 | Once |
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Best Performance: | Semi-final in 1950 | Semi-final in 1962 | Quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 & 1954 | Exited from group stage |
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FIFA ranking: | 2 | 18 | 24 | 38 |
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My Rating: | 9/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 5.5/10 |
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| Coach Name: | Del Bosque | Marcelo Bielsa | Ottamar Hitzfeld | Reinaldo Rueda |
Coach rating: | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
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Captain: | Iker Casilas | Claudio Bravo | Alexander Frei | Amado Guevaro |
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Squad: |
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Goalkeepers: |
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1. | Iker Casillas | Claudio Bravo | Diego Benaglio | Noel Valladares |
2. | Pepe Reina | Miguel Pinto | Johnny Leoni | Ricardo Canales |
3. | Victor Valdes | Luis Marin | Marco Woelfli | Donis Escober |
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Defenders: |
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1. | Gerard Pique | Gonzalo Jara | Christoph Spycher | Mauricio Sabillon |
2. | Carles Puyol | Waldo Ponce | Stephan Lichtsteiner | Osman Chavez |
3. | Sergio Ramos | Gary Medel | Philippe Senderos | Emilio Izaguirre |
4. | Joan Capdevila | Pablo Contreras | Stephane Grichting | Maynor Figueroa |
5. | Raul Albiol | Arturo Vidal | Steve Von Bergen | Victor Bernardez |
6. | Alvaro Arbeola | Mauricio Isla | Mario Eggimann | Oscar Garcia |
7. | Carlos Marchena | Ismael Fuentes | Reto Ziegler | Sergio Mendoza |
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| Johnny Palacios |
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Midfielders: |
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1. | Xavi | Matias Fernandez | Tranquillo Barnetta | Wilson Palacios |
2. | Andres Iniesta | Carlos Carmona | Gelson Fernandes | Julio Cesar de Leon |
3. | Cesc Fabregas | Marco Estrada | Gokhan Inler | Amado Guevara |
4. | David Silva | Gonzalo Fierro | Valon Behrami | Hendry Thomas |
5. | Sergio Busquets | Jorge Valdivia | Tranquillo Barnetta | Edgard Alvarez |
6. | Xabi Alonso | Rodrigo Millar | Xherdan Shaqiri | Roger Espinoza |
7. | Javier Martinez | Rodrigo Tello | Pirmin Schwegler | Ramon Nunez |
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| Marco Padalino | Danilo Turcios |
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Forwards: |
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1. | David Villa | Alexis Sanchez | Alexander Frei | David Suazo |
2. | Fernando Torres | Mark Gonzalez | Blaise Nkufo | Carlos Pavon |
3. | Pedro Rodriguez | Esteban Paredes | Marco Streller | Georgie Welcome |
4. | Jesus Navas | Humberto Suazo | Hakan Yakin | Walter Martinez |
5. | Fernando Llorente | Fabian Orellana | Eren Derdiyok |
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6. | Juan Mata | Jean Beausejour |
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Share your views on Group H teams and predict their progress in 2010 football world cup.
