An Ivory Cup Of Gold
The countdown to the World Cup has officially begun. Six months separates us and the opening match between the host nation South Africa and Mexico in Johannesburg on 11 June.
Every football fan from Paris to Pasir Ris had their eyes glued to the screen to see Charlize Theron play with balls and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke crack jokes that were not even worthy of pity laughs.
The exchanges between the two were so awkward that I thought I was watching another episode of Polo Boys. But enough about poor acting, let’s get to the action that will take place on the pitches of South Africa next June.
None more so than in Group G, otherwise known as the ‘Group of Death’, and not because North Korea are in it. Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast are all capable of lifting the trophy but being in the same group means that an early exit for one of them not only guarantees the sacking of the coach but also riots in their country.
There’s not likely to be riots in England, unless the fans get too drunk, judging from the easy group they are in. But you know with England, when things look easy, they will make them hard. Fabio Capello’s men need to avoid all distractions, which includes the English press, and focus on finally delivering on the big stage. If their famous wives and girlfriends need to be taken care of, Tiger Woods is offering his services, which we now know is not limited to the confines of a golf course.
While many predict that the group winners will be determined by the opening match between Fabio Capello’s men and the USA, don’t rule out Slovenia. The European minnows managed to knock out Guus Hiddink’s Russian side en route to South Africa and could pip Obama’s boys for a second round spot.
It’s worth keeping an eye on Group D, where all four sides are in the top 40 of the FIFA rankings. Germany always rises to the big occasion and have a good blend of youth and experience in their squad. Australia and Serbia swept through qualifying with ease and are dark horses to make a run into the later knockout stages. It’s quite incredible that a Ghana team led by the likes of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and skipper Stephen Appiah appear to be the outsiders in this group.
You know that the football gods don’t exist when France gets ‘punished’ for their ‘Hand of God 2’ travesty by being put in the easiest group that a non-seeded team could have asked for. Les Bleus know that they must win this group to avoid facing Argentina in the next round. Their stiffest opposition will come in the form of Rafael Marquez-led Mexico.
As for the hosts, being the lowest-ranked amongst the 32 teams, I just hope they can score a goal or two to keep their fans dancing and partying through the night. If that doesn’t work, I suggest plenty of beer and some Lady Gaga tunes.
Defending champions Italy and European kings Spain have relatively easy-looking passages into the second round. They might want to conserve their key players because their side of the draw means they could face each other, Brazil or Holland in the later stages. Now that’s exciting television for fans! And even more thrilling and profitable for ticket touts!
No European country has won the World Cup when it’s held outside of Europe. I expect things to stay that way during the South African winter with my picks for the tournament being Brazil or Ivory Coast. Since we established that the football gods are a non-entity, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see perennial diver Didier Drogba lift the most coveted trophy in sport on 11 July, right?
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