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image courtesy of fifa.com

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

As key injuries descend upon the World Cup squads, I found myself constantly checking the news updates and waiting till the last second to write this group up. It is clearly going to be the most entertaining group regardless of your allegiance. My opinion on this group could change at the slightest whisper, and any other result from the one I predicted will far from disappoint me.

Brazil

The constant billing as the tournament favorites could not be more appropriate for the Brazil squad preparing for this summer’s tournament. That said, few could have predicted the final 23 players chosen by coach Dunga would be missing the likes of Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and Adriano (making the new Nike Write the Future Commercial impossible not to cringe through when you see said players highlighting it.) Even more unbelievable is the impression that the real stars of the team aren’t the pricey skill-mongers whose names will be on the backs of most of the supporters. Brazil’s real force is being shown in its supporting players who provide tireless, hard-working and committed service so that the more flashy players can shine. This transformation from gem to grit has not made Dunga the most popular man in Brazil, but his critics do not really have a leg to stand on when shown the team’s recent results.

Helping to remove the Samba King’s stereotypical Achilles heel of defending is captain Lucio. The Inter Milan center back forms a tight partnership with Roma’s Juan to defend Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who surely has to be considered the best in the world at the moment. In right wingback Maicon (another Inter player) is good enough to keep rival Dani Alves (Barcelona) on the bench.

Even a poor first season at Real Madrid can not fail to decrease the importance of midfield maestro Kaka. The 2007 World Player of the Year will definitely be a dominant presence in the side. Attack-wise, Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano, Santos-loaner Robinho, Roma’s Julio Baptista and even the untried Grafite of Wolfsburg can all be classified as superstars.

North Korea

The DPRK could not have been given a worse return to the World Cup than the group they have been put in. While history does favor the team, who shocked the world by getting through groups to the Quarterfinals in 1966, their chances of achieving this feat again probably borders the possibility of lightning striking the same spot twice. Being a well organized, hardworking team with a miserly defense, the North Koreans will definitely take some effort to beat since they will be playing to their naturally defensive style. Also low expectations mean low pressure, adding a nothing to lose mentality to a die hard work-rate which can only help. Realistically though, they will be the easier fixture for all the opposition in the group, who will be aware that goal difference could be vital and North Korea is the most probable fixture to pick up extra goals in.

What DPRK can boast is being the most unknown team going into the tournament. The isolationist stance of the nation and the fact only three players in the squad ply their trade outside of the country leaves a lot of left fuzzy. This and the teams alleged changing of squad shirts and line-up numbers immediately prior to matches must leave pundits and analysts pulling their hair out with frustration. What is known is that Kawasaki Frontale striker Jong Tae-Sae is not to be taken lightly, FC Rostov (Russia) midfielder and national captain Hong Yong-Jo is a set-piece threat and Ahn Yong-Hak (Omiya Arjida in Japan) is the midfield workhorse.

Ivory Coast

This is the second consecutive World Cup that Cote D’Ivoire has had an unenviable spot in the group of death. Last time around they lost out on qualification to the second round to Argentina and the Netherlands. This misfortune has seemed to be the consistent for the teams golden generation, who despite critical acclaim have failed to advance from group stages or even win an African Cup of Nations trophy. The generation, often viewed as one of the best of an African team, will be seeing the tournament as their last chance for international silverware. Sven Goran Eriksson took charge of the team in March, so he has a ridiculously short amount of time to instill order and cohesion. Between skirt-chasing in England, and bumbling with Mexico he doesn’t seem suited to this, but this shouldn’t be a problem for the mostly experienced squad which has played together throughout their careers.

The big talking point for the Elephants is the fitness of captain Didier Drogba. The Chelsea striker had an exceptional season terrorizing and belittling opposing defenders in England and in Europe. His broken arm picked up against Japan was one of the more shocking of the key injuries to essential players that have been occurring in the build up to the tournament. Emergency surgery has resurrected his tournament presence, though to what capacity in the group stages that will be is still unclear. In a group this competitive, any absence of a player as key as Drogba will be highly detrimental to a team’s chances.

Otherwise, the team does have Barcelona’s Yaya Toure and Sevilla’s Didier Zokora, two fantastic holding midfeilders both capable dictating the pace of a game. Chelsea Striker Salomon Kalou can be amazing but is inconsistent. Manchester City’s Kolo Toure and Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue are top flight defenders. One weakness in the team has to be goalkeeper Boubacar Barry. While experienced, he certainly is not on par with other top national keepers. Opponents would be wise to test him whenever they can.

Portugal

Any summary of Portugal has to start off with mentioning Christiano Ronaldo. The team’s fourth place finish in the last World Cup was largely down to the then-Manchester United forward, who then went on to become arguably the best player in the world and then unarguably the most expensive with his move the Real Madrid. Whether you love him or you hate him, you can not deny that his presence on the field is electrifying and he has the ability to create the spectacular from the most mediocre of team performances.

This will be vital for Portugal, since what they have besides Ronaldo attack-wise pales in comparison to him. Atletico’s Simao is not the threat he was when he was still at Benfica, and Deco also seems to have lost sharpness. Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa,  Porto’s Varela and very recently Manchester United’s Nani are all out with injuries, removing three fantastic providers and scorers from the attack. So it does seem like this team will have to be carried offensively by the capable talent of Ronaldo.

Defensively though, Portugal are solid. Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho and Porto’s Bruno Alves provide a strong central defensive partnership. In back-up for this position they have Real Madrid’s Pepe, whose talent will not be wasted on the bench as he will probably play as a defensive midfielder instead. Overall this combination of a solid defense and one of the world’s best forwards makes for a setup of great potential.

Overall Prediction

It goes without saying that the first three spots in this group are largely up in the air. Brazil, Portugal and Cote D’Ivoire all have the potential to take pole position and even advance far in the knock out stages of the tournament. Of the three, it seems Brazil were spoiled for options in terms of selection, so much so that they could afford to make some shock exceptions to their squad. This definitely puts their chances ahead of the other two teams and should secure them the top spot in the group. In my heart of hearts, I saw the Ivory Coast as Africa’s best chance at the trophy this tournament. They had the world class player supported by a respectable supporting cast. Portugal’s squad would need some degree of carrying by Ronaldo to get through. But with the injury doubts for Drogba, keeping Cote D’Ivoire ahead of Portugal would be more passion than ration. I don’t see Drogba playing the role he needs to anymore and therefore see Portugal taking second in the group.