FIRST-ROUND PREVIEW
(all times Pacific)
Group A
Overview -- Germany, the host nation and three-time champion, is ready to shake off years of angst over the way Huntington Beach-based Coach Jurgen Klinsmann built his team, the players he has chosen and the methods he has employed. The Germans appear to be capable of sweeping their three opponents, Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador, but the Poles might have something to say about that, especially with Germany’s suspect defense. Coach Alexandre Guimaraes’ Ticos have been dreadful in warmup games in Europe, apparently having regressed since the end of qualifying play. Ecuador has not fared much better, winning only one of its last nine games, and striker Carlos Tenorio is injured.
* Key players -- For Germany, midfielder Michael Ballack looms large. He is the brain and the workhorse of the midfield. Forwards Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are building a good partnership, and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and goalkeeper Jens Lehman will be heavily counted upon. For Poland, playmaker Miroslaw Szymkowiak is the key, but Coach Pawel Janas might yet have reason to regret leaving veteran goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek off his roster. Costa Rica is relying once again on striker Paulo Wanchope, who has 43 goals in 67 games for his country, but he and many of his teammates appear to have passed their sell-by date. Ecuador does not travel well and even the likes of talented midfielder Edison Mendez and sturdy defender Ivan Hurtado can’t save Coach Luis Fernando Suarez’s outmatched team.
* Key game -- In all likelihood, the group winner will be decided when Germany plays Poland in Dortmund on June 14.
* Quote worthy -- “Before, Costa Rica were a fair-play team, naive and just interested in attacking,” said Guimaraes. “This time, everybody’s going to notice the difference.” Friday’s opener against Germany in Munich will tell if he is correct.
* Prediction -- Germany to take first place with ease. Poland to finish second. Costa Rica and Ecuador to head home with a few souvenirs and nothing else.
*
GERMANY
How qualified: Host.
Finals record:
15 appearances, three championships, 50-17-18.
COSTA RICA
How qualified: Third in CONCACAF group.
Finals record:
Two appearances, 3-3-1.
ECUADOR
How qualified: Third in South American group.
Finals record:
One appearance, 1-2-0.
POLAND
How qualified: Second in European Group 6, qualified as second-best runner-up.
Finals record:
Six appearances, 14-9-5.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 9 -- Germany vs. Costa Rica at Munich, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Poland vs. Ecuador at Gelsenkirchen, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 14 -- Germany vs. Poland at Dortmund, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 15 -- Costa Rica vs. Ecuador at Hamburg, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 20 -- Germany vs. Ecuador at Berlin, 7 a.m., ESPN, Ch. 34; Costa Rica vs. Poland at Hanover, 7 p.m., ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group B
* Overview -- One more word from England about poor Wayne Rooney and his broken foot and neutral fans around the world are going to start rooting for Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago or Sweden. England was a quarterfinalist in 2002, being knocked out by eventual winner Brazil. It has the talent to go at least that far this time, even without reptilian Rooney. Sweden has defeated or tied England in all 10 games over the last 38 years, including a 1-1 first-round tie at Korea/Japan in 2002. The Swedes could continue the streak, although that seems unlikely. England’s almost desperate desire to end 40 years in the World Cup wilderness -- it last won the Cup in 1966 -- should be decisive. Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago are along for the ride.
* Key players -- The depth of top-class talent at the disposal of England Coach Sven Goran Eriksson is formidable and includes David Beckham, Michael Owen, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Steven Gerrard. Sweden does not come close, although Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Freddie Ljungberg can hold their own with almost anyone. In Carlos Gamarra, Paraguay has a first-rate defender, and midfielder Julio Dos Santos and forward Roque Santa Cruz have made their mark in Germany with Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich. Trinidad and Tobago must pin its faith on forward Stern John rather than the once-influential Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, who are now too long in the tooth.
* Key game -- The England-Sweden match in Kaiserslautern on June 20 would logically be the decider, but by then both teams should already have clinched their places in the second round.
* Quote worthy -- “I think a lot of people will be surprised at what we are able to do at the World Cup,” said Trinidad and Tobago’s Dutch coach, Leo Beenhakker, and he was not joking.
* Prediction -- England will win the group, possibly with nine points. Sweden will also advance. Paraguay takes an honorable third. Outclassed Trinidad and Tobago’s victory came simply in qualifying for the tournament.
*
ENGLAND
How qualified: First in European Group 6.
Finals record:
11 appearances, one championship, 22-13-15.
PARAGUAY
How qualified: Fourth in South American group.
Finals record:
Six appearances, 5-7-7.
SWEDEN
How qualified: Second in European Group 8, qualified as best runner-up.
Finals record:
10 appearances, 15-16-11.
TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO
How qualified: Fourth in CONCACAF group, won playoff with Bahrain.
Finals record:
First appearance.
*
THE SCHEDULE
* June 10 -- England vs. Paraguay at Frankfurt, 6 a.m., Ch. 7, 34; Sweden vs. Trinidad and Tobago at Dortmund, 9 a.m., Ch. 7, 34.
* June 15 -- England vs. Trinidad and Tobago at Nuremberg, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Paraguay vs. Sweden at Berlin, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34.
* June 20 -- England vs. Sweden at Cologne, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34; Paraguay vs. Trinidad and Tobago at Kaiserslautern, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group C
* Overview -- United States fans have talked all too much about theirs being the “group of death.” They are wrong. This is the most difficult group by a country mile, and any prediction as to its outcome is almost certain to fail. Argentina is a two-time World Cup winner and has a team very much capable of winning a third. The Netherlands is a two-time finalist, having lost to Germany in 1974 and to Argentina in 1978. Serbia and Montenegro is virtually impossible to defeat, having gone unbeaten in qualifying and yielding only one goal. The Ivory Coast came very close to winning the African Nations Cup this year and is powerful, fast and committed to carrying its continent’s colors. Every match will have a huge bearing on the group, and the slightest of mistakes could have the worst of consequences.
* Key players -- Argentina Coach Jose Pekerman has almost as much quality to choose from as Brazil and England. His standouts include Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola, Juan Roman Riquelme and Pablo Aimar, to name only a half-dozen. The Dutch, under Coach Marco Van Basten, are equally loaded, with Edwin Van der Saar, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie, to name a few. Serbia and Montenegro’s talisman is forward Mateja Kezman; the Ivory Coast relies heavily on Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure.
* Key game -- The eagerly awaited Argentina-Netherlands encounter in Munich on June 21 is not only the game of the round but one of the games of the tournament.
* Quote worthy -- “Either Argentina or Holland will not make it to the second round,” said Serbia and Montenegro Coach Ilija Petkovic. “What kind of a leader would I be if I said we had no chance?”
* Prediction -- Venturing out on the thinnest of limbs, Argentina will top the group. The Netherlands will take second by a slim margin. Disappointment is coming for Serbia and Montenegro, in part caused by the equally disappointed Ivory Coast.
*
ARGENTINA
How qualified: Second in South American group.
Finals record:
13 appearances, two championships, 30-19-11.
IVORY COAST
How qualified: First in African Group 3.
Finals record:
First appearance.
NETHERLANDS
How qualified: First in European Group 1.
Finals record:
Seven appearances, 14-9-9.
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
How qualified: First in European Group 7.
Finals record:
Seven appearances,
as Yugoslavia, 16-13-8.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 10 -- Argentina vs. Ivory Coast at Hamburg, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 11 -- Netherlands vs. Serbia and Montenegro at Leipzig, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 16 -- Argentina vs. Serbia and Montenegro at Gelsenkirchen, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Ivory Coast vs. Netherlands at Stuttgart, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34
* June 21 -- Argentina vs. Netherlands at Frankfurt, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34; Ivory Coast vs. Serbia and Montenegro at Munich, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group D
* Overview -- Unlike the U.S., Mexico got a relatively easy draw and should make it out of the group without undue difficulty. Mexico has suffered tough one-goal losses to France and the Netherlands in its last two tuneups and should be stronger for the experience. Portugal has the advantage of being coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 title. The Portuguese reached the final of Euro 2004, to which they played host, and cannot be discounted. Iran’s chances, as always, depend on its ability to distance itself from domestic politics and concentrate on soccer. It has a strong enough team to contend within the group. Angola is a first-timer coming in with eyes wide open.
* Key players -- Midfielder and captain Pavel Pardo and defender Rafael Marquez of European champion FC Barcelona are pivotal players for Mexico, which also must get good performances from midfielder Antonio “Zinho” Naelson, forwards Jared Borgetti and Francisco Fonseca and, especially, goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Portugal’s top-class core includes veteran Luis Figo, Deco, Pedro Pauleta and Cristiano Ronaldo. Iran still relies on striker Ali Daei for its goals, but its most influential player is midfielder Ali Karimi, an extraordinary dribbler. Mehdi Mahdavikia also is worth watching. Angola’s “name” player is striker Akwa, with 32 goals in 73 internationals.
* Key game -- The opening encounter between Iran and Mexico in Nuremburg next Sunday should go a long way toward deciding who advances along with Portugal.
* Quote worthy -- “If the constitution says he’s Mexican, that’s good enough for me.” Thus spoke Mexico’s abrasive Argentine coach, Ricardo Lavolpe, trying to shed light on the controversy over his choice of naturalized players Zinho and Guillermo Franco.
* Prediction -- Mexico and Portugal will advance to the second round, and the order does not really matter since they will then have to face Argentina and the Netherlands and probable elimination. Iran takes third after a valiant campaign. Angola brings up the rear.
*
MEXICO
How qualified: Second in CONCACAF group.
Finals record:
12 appearances, 10-20-11.
ANGOLA
How qualified: First in African Group 4.
Finals record:
First appearance.
IRAN
How qualified: Second in Asian Group 2.
Finals record:
Two appearances, 1-4-1.
PORTUGAL
How qualified: First in European Group 3.
Finals record:
Three appearances, 7-5-0.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 11 -- Mexico vs. Iran at Nuremberg, 9 a.m., Ch. 7, 34; Angola vs. Portugal at Cologne, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 16 -- Mexico vs. Angola at Hanover, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34.
* June 17 -- Iran vs. Portugal at Frankfurt, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34
* June 21 -- Mexico vs. Portugal at Gelsenkirchen, 7 a.m., ESPN, Ch. 34; Angola vs. Iran at Leipzig, 7 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group E
* Overview -- In normal times, Italy would be the team to beat in this group. But because a soccer corruption scandal is bubbling along in Italy, these are not normal times, and the under-the-microscope Italians could be vulnerable. Much depends on how much they can focus despite the unsavory details being revealed almost daily back home. The Czech Republic supposedly is ranked second in the world behind Brazil, but FIFA rankings come with a block of salt, not a grain. Coach Karel Bruckner is as shrewd as they come and does his homework well. The Czechs will not be surprised. The U.S. needs to win two games to get through. Coach Bruce Arena said it will come down to the final series of games. He may be correct. Ghana is growing in stature but seems outclassed in this company.
* Key players -- Coach Marcello Lippi’s high-powered Italian lineup includes Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero. That is matched by a Czech squad featuring the intimidating Jan Koller, Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros, Petr Cech, Karel Poborsky and Tomas Rosicky. The U.S. counters with Landon Donovan, Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and possible breakout defender Oguchi Onyewu, among others. Ghana relies on Michael Essien.
* Key game -- The U.S.-Italy match in Kaiserslautern on June 17 is shaping up as a make-or-break game for both teams, but especially for the Americans.
* Quote worthy -- “I’d call up the devil if he could help me,” said Ghana Coach Ratomir Dujkovic. Problem is, the devil can’t play defense, so he couldn’t help.
* Prediction -- Logic says that Italy will win the group, with the Czechs finishing second. The U.S. is a spoiler in this scenario, one with the ability to stage an upset but more likely to finish third. Ghana is a wild card with fourth place written all over it.
*
ITALY
How qualified:
First in European
Group 5.
Finals record:
15 appearances, three championships, 39-14-17.
CZECH REPUBLIC
How qualified:
Second in European Group 1, won playoff against Norway.
Finals record:
Eight appearances, as Czechoslovakia, 11-14-5.
GHANA
How qualified:
First in African Group 2.
Finals record:
First appearance.
UNITED STATES
How qualified:
First in CONCACAF group.
Finals record:
Seven appearances, 6-14-2.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 12 -- United States vs. Czech Republic at Gelsenkirchen, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Italy vs. Ghana at Hanover, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 17 -- Czech Republic vs. Ghana at Cologne, 9 a.m., Ch. 7, 34; United States vs. Italy at Kaiserslautern, noon, Ch. 7, 34.
* June 22 -- United States vs. Ghana at Nuremberg, 7 a.m., ESPN, Ch. 34; Italy vs. Czech Republic at Hamburg, 7 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group F
* Overview -- This is the group to watch, in person or from afar, not only because it includes Brazil but because any of the other three teams can snatch second place. The Brazilians are a known commodity. Anything less than three resounding victories in the first round will be met by wailing and hand-wringing all the way up the Amazon. Croatia, a surprise third-place finisher in 1998, is penciled in as the runner-up, but Australia has some physical clout and a determination to enjoy its first World Cup in 32 years, and Japan is coached by former Brazil standout Zico and has achieved several noteworthy results under his guidance.
* Key players -- For Brazil, simply take a look at the starting lineup. If there is a weakness, it’s in the team, not in the individual players. Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are FIFA world players of the year. Roberto Carlos and Cafu have been the best outside backs on the planet for more than a decade. Adriano and Kaka add another dimension to the offense. The list goes on and on. Croatia has a defense that can be difficult to penetrate, but its top players are midfielder Darijo Srna and forward Dado Prso. Australia features the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill, but Coach Guus Hiddink might be its most important asset. Japan’s liveliest stars are midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and defender Yuji Nakazawa.
* Key game -- Every match involving Brazil can be special, but the Australia-Croatia encounter June 22 in Stuttgart probably will be the one that decides which of the two go through with Brazil.
* Quote worthy -- “The Croatia game is special because of the links many of our players have with that country,” said Australia’s Hiddink. “I’m confident we can reach the second round.”
* Prediction -- Hiddink might be confident, but the likelihood is that it will be Brazil and Croatia finishing 1-2, with Australia third and Japan fourth.
*
BRAZIL
How qualified:
First in South American group.
Finals record:
17 appearances, five championships, 60-13-14.
AUSTRALIA
How qualified:
First in Oceania group, won playoff against Uruguay.
Finals record:
One appearance, 0-2-1.
CROATIA
How qualified:
First in European Group 8.
Finals record:
Two appearances, 6-4-0.
JAPAN
How qualified:
First in Asian Group 2.
Finals record:
Two appearances, 2-4-1.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 12 -- Australia vs. Japan at Kaiserslautern, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34
* June 13 -- Brazil vs. Croatia at Berlin, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 18 -- Brazil vs. Australia at Munich, 9 a.m., Ch. 7, 34; Croatia vs. Japan at Nuremberg, 6 a.m., Ch. 7, 34.
* June 22 -- Brazil vs. Japan at Dortmund, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34; Australia vs. Croatia at Stuttgart, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group G
* Overview -- France won the World Cup in 1998 and then crashed out in the first round in 2002, despite fielding much the same team. The French, therefore, are an enigma. Fans in Paris have turned on them and there has been dissent within the team, further undermining France’s chances. It’s a weak group, though, and Switzerland is likely the only team that can test the French. South Korea finished an amazing and satisfying fourth when it was co-host of the 2002 World Cup with Japan, but Coach Dick Advocaat’s team does not travel well and South Korea will be hard-pressed to get out of the group, let alone make the semifinals. Togo is playing in its first World Cup and has done nothing to suggest it can have any success against these opponents.
* Key players -- This is the swan song for magnificent French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, alone worth the price of admission when he is in form. Goalkeeper Fabian Barthez also will be hanging up his international boots after this tournament, hoping to go out on another high. France also has incomparable Thierry Henry and equally illustrious Lilian Thuram, David Trezeguet and Patrick Vieira. Newcomer Franck Ribery could catch the eye too. The Swiss have Philippe Senderos and Alexander Frei. South Korea’s hopes rest with goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae and midfielder Park Ji Sung. Togo defender Jean-Paul Yaovi Abalo is its standout and probably will be tested to the utmost.
* Key game -- France versus Switzerland for all the marbles. Or at least the first-round batch.
* Quote worthy -- “We can win in Germany, but it will not erase the fact that we were catastrophic in South Korea,” said France’s Henry, recalling the nightmare of 2002.
* Prediction -- France to win the group. Switzerland to finish second, just ahead of South Korea. Togo to trail badly.
*
FRANCE
How qualified:
First in European Group 4.
Finals record:
11 appearances, one championship, 21-16-7.
SOUTH KOREA
How qualified:
Second in Asian Group 1.
Finals record:
Six appearances, 3-12-6.
SWITZERLAND
How qualified:
Second in European Group 4, won playoff against Turkey.
Finals record:
Seven appearances, 6-13-3.
TOGO
How qualified:
First in African Group 1.
Finals record:
First appearance.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 13 -- France vs. Switzerland at Stuttgart, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; South Korea vs. Togo at Frankfurt, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34
* June 18 -- France vs. South Korea at Leipzig, noon, Ch. 7, 34.
* June 19 -- Switzerland vs. Togo at Dortmund, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34
* June 23 -- France vs. Togo at Cologne, noon, ESPN, Ch. 34; South Korea vs. Switzerland at Hanover, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 46.
*
Group H
* Overview -- This is another group with two clear favorites and two also-rans. Spain, which has a reputation for going so far and no further in international tournaments, should win the group with ease. Only Ukraine has a chance of testing Coach Luis Aragones’ potentially exciting team. Despite a wealth of talent, the Spaniards have struggled to score goals of late, however, and that remains a concern for Aragones. Ukraine is defensively sound and can counter well on the break. Tunisia is probably Africa’s best representative after the Ivory Coast but is not a real threat in this company. Saudi Arabia was the weakest team in 2002 and is an odds-on favorite to retain that dubious distinction unless Togo claims it.
* Key players -- Spain’s lineup looks unbeatable on paper, what with Raul, the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, not to mention the English-based trio of Luis Garcia, Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas. It also boasts defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Ukraine has a first-class striker in Andrei Shevchenko, newly acquired by Chelsea from AC Milan, and a cast of capable unknowns, almost all of them playing in their domestic league. Tunisia has a lively forward in Brazilian-born Francileudo Dos Santos and a solid central defender in Radhi Jaidi. Saudi Arabia’s noteworthy player is veteran striker Sami Al-Jaber.
* Key game -- Unless Spain can find its scoring boots, it might be trailing after the opening game, which is against Ukraine and thus potentially decisive.
* Quote worthy -- “I won’t pretend to be unconcerned by what a Raul or a Shevchenko could do to us,” said Tunisia Coach Roger Lemerre, who coached France during its 2002 meltdown.
* Prediction -- Spain to win and continue its run of success in 2006, with FC Barcelona winning the Champions League and Sevilla taking the UEFA Cup. Ukraine to finish second. Tunisia gets third. Saudi Arabia gets a quick ride back to Riyadh.
*
SPAIN
How qualified:
Second in European Group 7, won playoff against Slovakia.
Finals record:
11 appearances, 19-14-12.
SAUDI ARABIA
How qualified:
First in Asian Group 1.
Finals record:
Three appearances, 2-7-1.
TUNISIA
How qualified:
First in African Group 5.
Finals record:
Three appearances, 1-5-3
UKRAINE
How qualified:
First in European Group 2.
Finals record:
First appearance.
*
THE SCHEDULE
June 14 -- Spain vs. Ukraine at Leipzig, 6 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Saudi Arabia vs. Tunisia at Munich, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 19 -- Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine at Hamburg, 9 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 34; Spain vs. Tunisia at Stuttgart, noon, ESPN2, Ch. 34.
* June 23 -- Spain vs. Saudi Arabia at Kaiserslautern, 7 a.m., ESPN, Ch. 34; Tunisia vs. Ukraine at Berlin, 7 a.m., ESPN2, Ch. 46.
