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Group
E figures to be the toughest group;
defending champions from Brazil headline
Group F
In 2002, the U.S. national team made
a splash on soccer's biggest stage,
defeating Portugal, South Korea and
Mexico before bowing out to eventual
finalists Germany in the World Cup
quarterfinals.
In 2006, they'll be looking to go
even further. |
Fifa
World Cup preview - With an experienced
side (twelve players return from the 2002
roster, led by team captain Claudio Reyna,
the first U.S. Men’s National Team
player to be named to the FIFA All-World
Cup) and a host of international talents
at their disposal, Bruce Arena's charges
seem primed to make their deepest World
Cup run in team history. But it won't be
an easy task, as the U.S. has been drawn
into a group with European powers Italy
and the Czech Republic. How will the Americans
fare? BodogNation takes a look at the U.S.
prospects and more in the third of our four-part
World Cup Preview.
World
Cup: Group E Schedule:
Italy vs. Ghana: June
12 (3 p.m.) ::: U.S.A vs. Czech Republic:
June 12 (Noon)
Italy vs. U.S.A: June 17 (3 p.m.) ::: Czech
Republic vs. Ghana: June 17 (Noon)
Czech Republic vs. Italy: June 22 (10 a.m.)
::: Ghana vs. U.S.A: June 22 (10 a.m.)
"In group
E there are no clear favorites to move on
and so for that reason I nominate group
E as the 2006 'Group of Death.'"
- Bobby McMahon, Fox Soccer Channel
With all due respects
to Group D, it appears as though a group
featuring the likes of the Czech Republic
(FIFA World Ranking: 2nd), the United States
(5th) and Italy (13th) has earned the preliminary
right to be dubbed the G.O.D in Germany
this summer.
Most of the glitz and glamour in the group
belongs to the three-time World Champion
Azzuri. Their most recent march to the World
Cup was an impressive feat - apart from
a setback versus Slovenia in qualifying,
Italy comfortably secured their berth for
Germany with seven wins, two draws and that
solitary defeat to finish top of their group.
Led by Fiorentina striking sensation Luca
Toni (17/1, top scorer), Italy will be looking
to erase painful memories from Japan/Korea
in 2002, where they were unceremoniously
bounced in the round of 16.
Germany 2006 will mark the first time that
the Czech Republic will be taking part in
the biggest sporting event on the planet
(the team formerly participated under the
Czechoslovakian banner). After finishing
second in a difficult qualifying group (featuring
the Netherlands and Romania), the Czechs
dispatched Norway with relative ease in
a two-game playoff to book their ticket
to Germany. All eyes will be on Aston Villa
frontman Milan Baros (36/1, top scorer),
the golden boot winner at the 2004 European
Championships where he netted five goals
in five games.
World Cup Germany
2006: Group E Odds
* Italy - 10/11
* Czech Republic - 8/5
* United States - 4/1
* Ghana - 10/1
Can the U.S. replicate
their fantastic run in the 2002 World Cup?
Veteran striker Brian McBride (95/1, top
scorer) will shoulder most of the scoring
load for the U.S. - after a great campaign
with English Premier side Fulham (10 goals
in 39 appearances), McBride will be the
main target up front for a young American
squad.
The darkhorse of Group E? The Black Stars
of Ghana. Making their first ever appearance
at a FIFA World Cup, Ghana knocked off African
powerhouse South Africa in qualifying to
earn a trip to Germany this summer. The
team has a few European-based stars, none
brighter than Chelsea midfielder Michael
Essien, the most expensive player in the
history of African soccer. They're a pacey,
energetic side who have achieved high levels
of success at the youth levels - Essien
led Ghana to a gold medal at the African
Under-17 level and a bronze medal at the
World Under-17 Championships a few years
ago.
World Cup: Group
F Schedule
Australia vs. Japan:
June 12 (9 a.m.) ::: Brazil vs. Croatia:
June 13 (3 p.m.)
Brazil vs. Australia: June 18 (Noon) :::
Japan vs. Croatia: June 18 (9 a.m.)
Japan vs. Brazil: June 22 (3 p.m.) :::
Croatia vs. Australia: June 22 (3 p.m.)
"All three
countries know deep down they are playing
for second place in Group F behind the five-time
tournament winners, who are overwhelming
favourites to make it an unprecedented six
in Germany."
- Sportinglife.com
Barring a meltdown
of epic proportions, Brazil should finish
top of the group and easily advance to the
round of 16. This is a team that features
a remarkable five players listed as possible
top scorer at the Bodog Sportsbook - Ronaldo
Nazario (17/2, top scorer), Adriano (9/1,
top scorer), Ronaldinho Gaucho (9/1, top
scorer), Robinho (44/1, top scorer) and
Kaka (50/1, top scorer). Five-time champions,
the defending World Cup trophy holders...need
we say more?
Croatia reached their third successive
FIFA World Cup by finishing top of their
European qualifying group, going undefeated
with seven wins and three draws. That run
was highlighted by the play of Dado Prso
(75/1, top scorer), the Glasgow Rangers
striker who netted five goals during his
country's impressive qualifying campaign.
Croatia is the odds-on favorite to be the
second team to advance from Group F, and
their June 13th match versus Brazil should
be one of the best matches of the opening
round.
The Socceroos from Australia will be making
their first World Cup appearance since the
1974 finals in West Germany. This is a team
many have pegged as a potential darkhorse
this summer. With a bevy of players starring
in the English Premiership, the team has
the talent level and depth necessary for
a surprise run in Germany. The Aussies will
look to Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka
and Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell for
offensive output, while Viduka's 'Boro teammate
Mark Schwarzer will man the nets for the
'Roos.
World Cup Germany
2006: Group F Odds
* Brazil - 1/5
* Croatia - 5/1
* Australia - 12/1
* Japan - 14/1
Germany 2006 will be
Japan’s third successive FIFA World
Cup finals. An impressive showing in 2002
saw the Blues defeat Russia and Tunisia
en route to a second-round qualification.
Japan arguably possess Asia's most formidable
midfield line-up in the Europe-based trio
of Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and
Shinji Ono. And with experienced Brazilian
manager Zico leading the charges, the Japanese
could be a tough nut to crack in a group
where they're expected to do very little
against international powers like Brazil
and Croatia.
PHOTO:
American striker Brian McBride, who plays
for Fulham in the English Premiership, will
look to push the U.S. this summer in Germany
(AI Wire Photo).
Bodog.com
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Posted
by Dave Friday
