WC2006 - Group H

[NYCappo83]

(Please feel free to comment or provide your own opinions/analysis.)



Group H

-Spain (FIFA - T5th)
-Tunisia (FIFA - 21st)
-Saudi Arabia (FIFA - 34th)
-Ukraine (FIFA - 45th)

Game to Watch: Spain vs. Ukraine. June 14th in Leipzig. The first game of the group will likely determine the Ukraine's fate in its WC debut. However, Spain is notorious for underachieving.

David vs. Goliath: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia. June 23rd in Kaiserslautern. When Saudi Arabia last faced a large European opponent, the result was a 8-0 thrashing from Germany.


-Tunisia might be the tournament's sleeper, as the team narrowly played Argentina in the FIFA Confederations Cup losing 2-1 and then went on to beat Australia 2-0. By beating Morocco in the African Cup of Nations, Tunisia secured its spot to Germany fairly early. The team has top-class performers in Jaziri, Santos, Chadli and captain Trabelsi. The Carthage Eagles also have young talent in Guemamdia (who is molding himself into one of Africa's best).

-The Ukraine have proven their skills to the world already, winning a qualifying group that included Greece, Turkey and Denmark. They were the first European club to lock a spot to Germany. After two playoff losses in order to get to both WCs in 1998 and 2002, the Ukraine is finally here. The ace in the pack is undoubtedly Shevchenko. He is supported by Vorobey and Voronin in a strong attack.

-Saudi Arabia hopes that 2006 will be similar to 1994 when the team made it to the round of 16 (by beating both Morocco and Belgium). The team went undefeated in qualification and beat South Korea both home and away. The attacking duo of Al Jaber and Al Qahtani will provide a solid front side.



Prediction:
1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Saudi Arabia


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[NYCappo83]

Forgot the favorite of the group...

-Many hold Spain's fate with a healthy Raul. The team did not have an impressive qualifying campaign. However, they did prove to the world that they weren't going to relax through it all, thrashing Slovakia in its playoff series in order to get to Germany. This will be the country's 8th straight WC and will hope to keep the "unluckiness" out of the picture. This will be a new style of Spain in Germany, led my midfielders Xavi, Alonso and Albelda. Gonzalez and Torres lead the attack (as they combined for 10 out of Spain's 25 goals during qualification). Morientes and Garcia are also options up-front, while Casillas will remain in net with a solid back line in front of him (Salgado, Puyol, Ramos and del Horno).


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