2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa Will See More of the Same (Part III)

 The third part in a series previewing and predicting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 

After running through five groups in two days and giving predictions without really saying why I feel the outcome of first round matches will be what I think they'll be, I'll continue with my predictions of South Africa 2010. Groups F, G, and H contain three tournament favorites, one of them being defending champion Italy. 

Group F

Facing the daunting task of becoming the first country to successfully defend its World Championship since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962, FIFA cup holders Italy enjoy a favorable draw for group play.

Gone are Francesco Totti and Luca Toni of 2006 World Cup glory, but boss Marcelo Lippi can still rely on Gennaro Gattuso and Alberto Gilardino to provide the spark needed to lead the Italians deep into the tournament. Ageless wonder Fabio Cannavaro returns for what many Italians hope will be a second straight raising of the FIFA World Cup Trophy. 

Coming off its best qualifying campaign ever, Paraguay was dealt a blow earlier this year with the loss of Striker Salvador Cabanas. Hoping to have Cabanas' replacement in Argentine-born Paraguayan Lucas Barrios, the "Guaranies" believe they can hang with anyone in the tournament.

Defensively, Paraguay boast international stars Paulo DaSilva and Dario Veron. In qualifying, Paraguay defeated Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil, so the potential to go deep in the tournament is there. 

Making just its second World Cup appearance, New Zealand hope to win their first ever World Cup match. In their only appearance at Spain 1982, the "All Whites" lost all three group matches and went home after group play. Now, 28 years later, New Zealand is led by striker Shane Smeltz and Blackburn Rovers mainstay Ryan Nelsen.

Qualifying for its first-ever World Cup finals, Slovakia come into South Africa 2010 proving a number of naysayers wrong. Slovakia qualified in front of Slovenia, and are relatively unknown.

Previous World Cup experience came in the form of the former Czechoslovakia, but since the fall of the eastern bloc country, Slovakia have failed to qualify for the finals. If the Slovaks hope to advance to the second round, they'll need to pull a major upset against either Paraguay or Italy.

Matches

14/15 June Italy 1- Paraguay 0; Slovakia 1- New Zealand 0

20 June Slovakia 1- Paraguay 1; Italy 2- New Zealand 0

24 June Italy 2- Slovakia 1; Paraguay 3- New Zealand 1

Group G

Five-time winner and eternal favorite Brazil come into the tournament sporting a different style of play. Led by boss Dunga, the Brazilians boast a solid defense to go alone with their dazzling display of ball skills.

With names like Kaka, Robinho, and Luis Fabiano, Brazil is to be considered a dangerous team coming into the tournament. Barring injury, look for Brazil to go deep in the tournament and possibly raise its record sixth FIFA World Cup Trophy. 

Relative unknown North Korea mark its return to the FIFA World Cup after 44 years. With a squad made up mostly of domestic league players, the "Chollima" are hoping to match their run at England 1966, where they finished in the final eight. The probabilities of North Korea matching its best ever finish are slim as it must face Brazil in the opener, Portugal and the Ivory Coast.

Coming into the tournament with a brand new coach in Sven-Goran Eriksson, Ivory Coast have its sights set on making history at this summer's tournament. Led by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Les Elephants are hoping to live up to their hype of being the powerhouse of their confederation. Getting out of what some may call the "Group of Death" may set Ivory Coast on its way to making history in South Africa.

Led by one of the best players on the planet, Portugal hope to build of its fourth place finish at Germany 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo and company face a tough task just to get out of their group. If Portugal do manage to get out of group play, it will likely be rewarded with a round of 16 match against none other than Spain.

Matches  

15 June Ivory Coast 2- Portugal 3; Brazil 2- North Korea 1

20/21 June Brazil 2- Ivory Coast 2; Portugal 1- North Korea 0

25 June Brazil 1-Portugal 0; Ivory Coast 3- North Korea 1

Group H

Coming off a magnificent run of 10 wins in 10 matches during qualifying and currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Spain are considered by many the favorite to claim the FIFA World Cup Trophy at South Africa 2010.

Led by superstars Fernando Torres, David Villa, and top midfielder Xavi Hernandez, "La Roja" look to top its best ever fourth place finish on the world stage. A favorable draw makes the Spaniards favorite to win their group and face the group G runner up.

After a slow start in qualifying, Switzerland won six of its last eight qualifiers to earn its place at South Africa 2010.  Hoping to finish better than it did at Germany 2006 where it was eliminated in the round of 16, Switzerland enjoy a favorable draw. Led by Alexander Frei, the Swiss open world cup play with a match against Spain. A win or draw against the Spaniards puts Switzerland in position to qualify to the round of 16. 

CONCACAF qualifier Honduras make its return to the world stage after 28 years away. Led by boss Reinaldo Rueda, the "Catrachos" hope to continue with their surprising play at South Africa 2010. David Suazo and Carlos Pavon lead a capable Honduras attack hoping to cause a stir at the finals. Facing a tough uphill climb to advance to the round of 16, Honduras is dangerous because many expect them to go three and out. 

Boss Marcelo Bielsa makes his return to the World Cup at the head of a Chilean National team littered with stars. From Humberto Suazo to Matias Fernandez to Alexis Sanchez, Chile are a threat to score at any given moment. Coming off its greatest qualifying run in the history of the nation, the "La Roja" are ready to show why they finished just one point behind Brazil in qualifying. 

Matches

16 June Honduras 1- Chile 3; Spain 3- Switzerland 0

21 June Chile 2- Switzerland 2; Spain 4- Honduras 1

25 June Spain 2- Chile 2; Switzerland 1- Honduras 1

Tomorrow: The final part of this series. The round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.