2010 FIFA World Cup: Group B Preview

Group B is similar to Group H, where a perennial power in Argentina (Spain in H) is favored to win the group and the other three teams all have a chance to finish second.

Team Previews

Argentina

Diego Maradona has promised he will run nude through the streets if Argentina win the World Cup. For that reason alone I do not wish Argentina success in the knockout round. All kidding aside, the Argentine offense is one to make any defense scared silly.

Lionel Messi has established himself as one of the top players, if not the best, in world football. Diego Milito has been on fire all season at Inter Milan. Those two are projected starters up front but the bench is even more frightening. Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain could all easily start up front for any of the other three teams in Group B.

The scary part is that this group of forwards will be around for a while, so look for them to star in Brazil in four years.

Players To Watch

Lionel Messi: The World Cup will be his stage to claim the title of best footballer in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to claim it at the 2008 Euro, so it is now up to Messi to prove that he can perform at the top international level for Argentina.

Sergio Romero: All the focus will be on the Argentine attack, but someone needs to stop the other team from scoring. The AZ Alkmaar keeper will be the last line of defense if the other three teams get past the back four.

Javier Mascherano: The Liverpool midfielder did not have the worst season at Anfield this year and could be looking at a move away from the club. The one place to play for a transfer is the World Cup and if Mascherano is wanted by a team with a spot in the Champions League, I would not be shocked if he takes that opportunity.

Schedule

June 12 vs. Nigeria, June 17 vs. South Korea, June 22 vs. Greece

Greece

Otto Rehhagel's team was a shock winner at the 2004 Euros but since then the Greeks have been less than impressive. They did not make it to Germany in 2006 and in the 2008 Euros, they had a less than stellar performance.

The Greek side also has history going against them. The last World Cup they qualified for was in 1994, and they ended up losing to both Argentina and Nigeria in the group stage. Coincidence or not, the Greeks do not have much going in their favor.

Players To Watch

Vasilis Torosidis: The Olympiakos defender is considered by some as the most talented player on the Greek squad and with a strong showing could leave the domestic league in the transfer period.

Theofanis Gekas: Gekas should start up front, and after a disappointing club season being relegated with Hertha Berlin, he should hopefully feel some motivation to have a successful cup to play top-flight football somewhere else next season.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos: Another Liverpool player that did not have great luck this season. Kyrgiakos played awfully at Anfield this year and needs to have a good tournament to keep his confidence up.

Schedule

June 12 vs. South Korea, June 17 vs. Nigeria, June 22 vs. Argentina

Nigeria

The Super Eagles might be the team on which the continent of Africa rests their hopes for this World Cup. With the injury of Didier Drogba greatly reducing the Ivory Coast's chances, the solid Nigeria team even without John Obi Mikel will be the favored African team by many.

With the a good mix of experience and youth in Lars Lagerback's squad, there is hope that Nigeria could advance out of the group as long as they score half as much as the Argentines are expected to.

Players To Watch

Nwankwo Kanu: Kanu is a strong veteran presence in the Nigerian team and is also one of the most famous African footballers on the continent. That combination could lead Kanu to score a very important goal to lead an African to the knockout stage.

Taye Taiwo: Taiwo is poised to break out. He is one of the the best young defenders not playing in the big three leagues. Playing at Marseille, Taiwo has already expressed that he would like to stay at the Ligue 1 club, but as is the case with many other young players, if a big club comes calling with big bucks, there is a better chance they leave.

Schedule

June 12 vs. Argentina, June 17 vs. Greece, June 22 vs. South Korea

South Korea

Everyone remembers the run that South Korea had at home in 2002, making it all the way to the semifinals. Like their fellow group member Greece after 2004, not much has happened since that big World Cup run for the Tigers of Asia.

This team does possess one of the better big game players in Park Ji-Sung, who when healthy has been called on by Sir Alex Ferguson to play the big games at Manchester United.

Players To Watch

Park Ji-Sung: Park is the captain of the squad and also one of the veteran leaders. How Park orchestrates the outside with the services for the forwards will be a huge key to the team's success in South Africa.

Lee Dong-Guk: Lee is finally looking for his chance to shine in a World Cup after missing 2006 with an injury and not making the 2002 squad. Lee is one of the older players in the tournament that will be most likely playing in his last World Cup.

Lee Chung-Yong: The Bolton Wanderers forward is part of the new generation of South Korean stars to make it to big European clubs and could be a good complement to Park Ji-Sung in the midfield.

Schedule

June 12 vs. Greece, June 17 vs. Argentina, June 22 vs. Nigeria

Group Prediction

This is Argentina's group to lose and it will shock the football world if they collapse and do not advance. The fight is on for second and Nigeria has to be favored to take it. Greece needs to score and they do not do that often. South Korea has talent but needs to put it together on the field for the whole tournament.

Prediction: Argentina (first), Nigeria (second)