World Cup Group B

A fascinating section that encapsulates the truly global nature of the World Cup finals and, while all four countries will fancy their chances of progressing, the outcome of Group B looks devilishly difficult to solve.

Argentina

Diego Maradona’s side just about survived South American qualifying, mainly thanks to a late win over rivals Uruguay in Montevideo, but the state of the national side has rarely been more uncertain and I’m sure Argentine fans have no idea what to expect in South Africa.

Maradona used an astonishing amount of players looking to find the right blend but seemingly the only guarantee is that 2009 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will be involved and what Diego comes up with elsewhere for the opening match against Nigeria is anyone’s guess.

The 1978 and 1986 winners have a wonderful array of attacking talent at their disposal that includes Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and, of course, the aforementioned Messi but getting the best out of any of them is proving difficult, including the Barcelona playmaker, and Argentina lacked any sustained cohesion during qualifying.

A 6-1 defeat in Bolivia in April was one of the darkest days in the football history of this proud nation and six losses in total, five away from home, highlighted their soft underbelly.

Argentina clearly have the talent to turn things round, they showed excellent team spirit to rally late on against Peru, crucially, to help earn their place in the finals, but an extended stay in the tournament looks unlikely given their unpredictability and I’m happy to leave them alone for the most part.

Argentina should progress, they are as short as 1/10 with Paddy Power to do so, but their position as short-priced Group B favourites means there is value to be had elsewhere and it promises to be an entertaining section.

UPDATE: Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti are both left out of the world cup squad by Diego Maradona.

Nigeria

While the Super Eagles were Africa’s dominant force in the early-mid nineties they have since given way to the emerging talents of Ghana and Ivory Coast and I’m not sure they deserve to be considered the most likely team to join Argentina in the last 16.

In a group as competitive as this one the 6/5 with Paddy Power about Nigeria progressing makes no appeal and for me it’s a price based on reputation rather than anything Shaibu Amodu’s men have achieved on the pitch.

Emerging unbeaten from their African qualifying section told us nothing, it didn’t take much to get the better of Tunisia and the woeful duo Kenya and Mozambique, and instead their recent African Cup of Nations exploits look the best guide to their chances.
Having struggled past a sub-standard Mail side to make the last eight in Ghana in 2008, Nigeria succumbed to the host nation and their four performances there indicated they were a side on the decline.

Of course, the biennial tournament, which takes place in January in Angola, will tell us more about their chances in South Africa but Nigeria rely heavily on a number of Premier League-based players, none of which are setting the world alight at present, and they look there for the taking.

With Obafemi Martins, now at Wolfsburg, and Everton striker Yakubu struggling to break into their respective club sides the big name Nigerian stars could well arrive in South Africa undercooked and it would be no surprise to see them struggle.

How much of an influence the legendary Nwankwo Kanu can still have when it matters at this level also remains to be seen and they could be set for an early exit.

UPDATE: Nugeria performed so poorly in the African Cup of Nations that they fired coach Shuaibu Amodu and instead appointed former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback as their new coach.

South Korea

As expected, Huh Jung-Moo’s side qualified for their seventh consecutive finals with ease, unbeaten in 14 matches, and while South Korea will need to raise their game from that level in South Africa reaching the knockout stages is certainly not beyond them.

There is not doubt that conditions, and some fairly dubious refereeing decisions, helped South Korea achieve their magnificent fourth place finish when joint host of the 2002 finals but they proved their efforts there were no fluke four years later in Germany and were unfortunate not to make the last 16 then having beaten Togo and drawn with France.

A 1-0 defeat to Serbia in November 2009 brought to an end a 27 game unbeaten run and, while it is easy to pick holes in the form of South Korea’s preliminary matches, recent friendly wins over Paraguay and Australia, both of whom qualified for the finals impressively, and a draw with Denmark gives us some idea of where they are at.

Park Ji-Sung’s status as a Manchester United player makes the South Korean captain the star turn for the national side but they are far from over reliant on the Old Trafford man and one to keep an eye on next summer could well be Park Chu-Young.

The Monaco playmaker has the ability to make a real impression, as do several of his teammates, and South Korea should not be underestimated. The 12/1 with Bet 365 on them topping Group B is tempting but they may just find one too good and instead the 7/2 with Sky Bet about South Korea simply reaching round two is too good to turn down.

Greece

Similar to South Korea’s fourth place at the 2002 World Cup, Greece have still not received enough credit for their remarkable Euro 2004 triumph and they could once again ruffle a few feathers in South Africa.

Greece’s success at Euro 2004 was built on being extremely difficult to break down but the side that will head to the World Cup finals for just the second time in the country’s history in 2010 is not cut from the same cloth.

Greece were involved in some terrific matches when finishing second behind an impressive Switzerland side in qualifying and coach Otto Rehhagel was able to call upon the leading scorer in the European zone.

Bayer Leverkusen striker Theofanis Gekas bagged 10 goals in as many matches for his country and he is set to combine with fellow Bundesliga forward Angelos Charisteas in attack. That pair have 43 internationals goals between them and should receive plenty of support from the likes of captain Giorgos Karagounis in midfield.

Against three potent looking forward lines however Greece could struggle defensively and much will rest upon the shoulders of recent Liverpool recruit Sotirios Kyrgiakos. He can’t do it all on his own however and Greek fans may fear a repeat of their only other appearance on the biggest stage of all in 1994.

Ten goals conceded in three matches, interestingly including in defeats to both Argentina and Greece, is unlikely to be witnessed again but they look short on quality at the back and may have to rely on trying to outscore their opponents. That won’t be easy, but they did keep two clean sheets when edging out Ukraine in the European playoffs to reach the finals and it will be interesting to see how they fare.

Greece are 6/5 with Paddy Power to progress but, as with Nigeria, that looks short enough.