2010 FIFA World Cup Bytes II: La Seleccion, Les Bleus and Le Boos

1) Ban those freedom fries once again! In the win-loss column of the Group A table there's a glaring ZERO next to the decorated French National side. Forget Scorpios, Monsieur Domenech would do himself a favor to stop trusting Aquarians because that's exactly what the great man is himself!

The French team as well as their federation just didn't deserve to be in South Africa. Never mind playing poorly, the off-the-field drama is something that no World Cup deserves and it seems fair enough to feel good that we won't be seeing anymore of Les Bleus this time. Elsewhere in the first group, Mexico inched forward by a three goal difference instead of the 'The Boys'. One never likes to see the hosts get knocked out but Mexico is a team that might trouble...

2) ...Argentina ! - that selection of mercurial, talented and dazzling footballers that can, on any given day, look capable of slotting in ten or more goals. Arguably Argentina has been the team of the tournament so far but it's not like they've shown that it's impossible to knock them out. Come elimination time, anything can happen. And with Maradona on the sidelines...believe me, anything  can happen.

I'd rather have seen Nigeria go through instead of South Korea but either way, Uruguay seems like the safer bet to go to the quarters where they'll run into...

3) ...The United States of America , who ended up topping  their group when just a couple of minutes from time they were staring elimination in the face. Say what you want about American focus on all sports other than 'soccer' but this team plays with passion and a point to prove. England were downright unimpressive and are playing as they always do on the game's greatest stage. 

Insipidity just doesn't win you World Cups and perhaps it's time that "We'll-reach-the-final" Fabio Capello realizes that. With Donovan and Dempsey, the USA have a better at shot at Ghana than England has against...

4) ...Germany - that same team that lit the World Cup with their four goal demolition of the Kangaroos. Lavished with praise for their attacking flair, the clinical Germans then promptly went and lost to Vidic and Co. before they pulled out a decisive victory against Ghana . Australia went down on goal difference but in a tight group such as this, anyone could have gone through. It's a similar scenario with...

5) ...the Danes and the Japanese! While the Oranje have this group sealed (they'll only finish second if they lose and Japan/Denmark score enough), Japan and Denmark have everything to play for. A draw will see the former through which means that you can expect the Danes to go all out in front and try and get that early goal. Cameroon has no chance and it spells disappointment for their talisman skipper Eto'o who might have just played his last World Cup. And what would this edition be without the usual boring groups such as...

6) ...Group F! Put in a weak group with New Zealand , Slovakia and Paraguay , the Azzurri   find themselves struggling with two points and everything to play for. If they lose they're out, if they win they're in and a draw would leave their fate in someone else's hands. Ah! What an upset that would be unlike the Group of Death where...

7) ...Brazil seems to have hit cruise control amidst a disciplined effort by the North Koreans. (Speaking of cruise control, try explaining what it means to the Portuguese who hammered in seven past a hapless North Korean side and gave you the feeling that they could have done more!)

Having disposed of Ivory Coast 3-1, Brazil will look for the win so that they finish second in the group. In hindsight, it might not even matter because although the runner-up here plays the winner of Group H, that winner might just be...

8) ...Chile ! If Villa and Co. fail to pull off a win against them and Switzerland   beats Honduras then the most talented team on paper will remain exactly that. In terms of expectations and upsets, watch out for this space. This is not to say that Spain can't slot four or five past a seemingly-solid Chilean defense but come pressure and elimination, funny things tend to happen on a football pitch.

Yes, funny things can  happen and it is my sincerest desire that funny things will  happen. Assuming Brazil win, the Dutch finish second and both Spain as well as Italy finish top; Brazil will be in the same section as all of them while eventually they can look forward to either Argentina or England/Germany.

If that doesn't get the adrenalin pumping then maybe nothing will! Stay tuned!