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

The continuation of a series previewing the eight groups at this summer's FIFA World Cup.

  A mere 12 days from the beginning of the grandest of all sporting events, I continue with my journey through all eight groups at the FIFA World Cup. In this edition I will explore groups C, D, and E. I repeat, though there may be some surprises along the way, it's safe to assume the end result will be the same regardless of who ends up where. 

Group C

  Loaded with international stars and a very capable boss, England have quickly become one of the favorites to lift the FIFA Trophy on July 11. Led by Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, John Terry, and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, The Three Lions' squad have attained a balance which is necessary if it wants to win its first major international championship since 1966. With a +28 goal differential in 10 qualifying matches product of 34 goals for and 6 goals against, the English are strong candidates for the crown. 

  Coming off of an impressive showing at last summer's Confederation's Cup, the United States look to build off of a performance that saw it beat then top-ranked Spain, 2-0, and have eventual champion Brazil down 2-0 at halftime in the championship match. The Stars and Stripes boast a lineup filled with both domestic and international stars. Led by standout Landon Donovan, Uncle Sam's Army will have to work hard to overcome an injury to Charlie Davies and an out of form Oguchi Onyewu in order to move on in the tournament. The US is well on its way showing injuries won't be an issue based on its 2-1 victory over Turkey.  

  Algeria makes its return to the World Cup in South Africa. 24 years after its last appearance (Mexico '86) in which it managed just one point, Les Fennecs (Desert Foxes) are hoping to shock the world. Before that can begin to happen, Algeria must make drastic changes in the little time left before the beginning of the tournament. In its last WC tuneup match, the African squad dropped a 3-0 match to non-qualifier Republic of Ireland.  

  Relative World Cup newcomers Slovenia come into the its second ever World Cup tournament as a team being potentially overlooked. A country of a little over 2 million people, part of the former Yugoslavia had an impressive run during qualifying. The Slovenian's conceded just four goals en route to eliminating the Czech Republic, Poland, and, later, Russia. 

Matches:

12/13 June USA 2- England 2; Slovenia 2- Algeria 0

18 June Slovenia 1- USA 2; England 4- Algeria 1

23 June USA 2- Algeria 0; England 1- Slovenia 1

Group D

  In what could prove to be the toughest group in the entire tournament, Germany, Australia, Serbia, and Ghana will fight for the right to probably face the USA in the round of 16. The group runner-up will get the "privilege" of playing England in round 2.

  Faced with having to overcome the loss of Michael Ballack, the Germans will have to find a new field general to lead them into the round of 16. History has proven, though, that Germany does not depend of a single player, rather relying on a no-nonsense approach to association football. The cold, calculated Germans have hoisted the tournament trophy on three occasions, and at South Africa, Germany look to make it a fourth championship. A 3-0 shellacking of Hungary in their last WC tuneup has the world power looking ready to go.

  Four years after getting robbed in the second round against Italy, Australia make a return to the world stage hoping to prove that it has what it takes to go deep in the tournament. After closing out qualifying with an unbeaten mark in eight matches, the Socceroos qualified for South Africa 2010 without much problems. Led by international star Tim Cahill, Australia will face stiffer competition in group play than it did in qualifying and will  have a tough time getting through to the second round.

  Serbia will be making its World Cup debut at South Africa 2010. After shocking Europe by sending France to a home and home playoff series, the Serbian squad hopes to shock the world and survive group play. The road to the round of 16 begins with a match against Ghana, and if it hopes to pass that first test, it must improve the form it displayed in its 1-0 loss to New Zealand in its WC tuneup.

  Ghana come into the World Cup suffering the loss of international star Michael Essien. The Black Stars will have to find a midfield playmaker if they hope to dazzle the world at this summer's tournament. Ghana breezed through the second part of qualifying to earn its spot, but that was before the loss of Essien.

Matches

13 June Germany 2- Australia 0; Serbia 1- Ghana 0

18/19 June Germany 1- Serbia 0; Australia 2- Ghana 1

23 June Germany 3- Ghana 0; Australia 2- Serbia 1

Group E

  In what appears to be a clear-cut group, Holland are the clear favorite to win Group E. Coming into the summer classic, the Dutch went a perfect 8 for 8 in qualifying. Led by international stars Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Oranje are a scoring machine that instill fear into any opponent. Anything but the final would be considered a failure for this powerhouse.

  Denmark are another European squad that should go through to the round of 16. In qualifying, the Danes lost just one out of 10 matches, and as a result, eliminated a strong Swedish side. With names like Nicklas Bendtner, Christian Poulsen, and Dennis Rommedahl, Denmark are poised to challenge the Dutch for Group E supremacy.

  Japan are a team that can surprise many in group E. Attempting to build on what it has accomplished since first making an appearance on the world stage in 1998, the Samurai Blue come off a qualifying campaign in which they dropped just one match. Relying on speed and technical skills, Japan are led by Shunsuke Nakamura and Keisuke Honda. The Japanese squad dropped its last tune up match to England 2-1 on a pair of own goals.  

  Led by international superstar Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon are set to make their sixth World Cup appearance at South Africa 2010, the most of any African nation. After missing the tournament at Germany 2006, the Indomitable Lions are hoping to improve on their last appearance in 2002. With speed and tough, physical play, Cameroon have the skill necessary to advance to the round of 16. 

Matches

14 June Holland 3- Denmark 2; Japan 1- Cameroon 1

19 June Holland 2- Japan 0; Cameroon 1- Denmark 2

24 June Holland 1- Cameroon 1; Japan 1-Denmark 1