Group B Analysis

Group B

Argentina

If it is attacking quality, flair and pure brilliance you are looking for, then look no further than Argentina. On paper they have the best attack in the competition bar none - Messi, Tevez, Aguero, Milito, Higuain, Di Maria - it is pretty fearsome. The question is, who does Maradona start with?! Messi is a starter obviously, but then the rest is up for grabs right now, but mixing and blending the forwards is the only possible negative in such a talented area of the team.

Talking about negatives, that is the only way I can describe Maradona himself. He is a loose cannon to say the very least, and one can only have serious question marks about how he reacts when faced with adversity. Tactically as well, he has certainly not proven himself yet nor worked out his preferred way of playing in terms of formation.

The biggest issue I have with him and the team is at the back. He will likely play with three natural CB's - Demichelis, Samuel and Heinze, and they will find it hard to confronted by lively forwards with good movement. That is unlikely to happen in the group stage, but could be an issue in the later rounds.

The key player in the team for me however is Javier Mascherano. His role of destroyer and sitting in front of the defence will be fundamental to the team, and as good as Messi and company are, they do not have anybody else in the squad as good or as effective as Mascherano in such a key position.

I can see this team going a long way as long as Maradona holds it together, and I have them going as far as the semis. A team with this much attacking talent should have the ability to beat most mediocre teams - anything less than semis has to be considered a failure in my mind.

Prediction – Semis



Nigeria

I always expect positive things from Nigeria and I am always let down. This time around, I actually do not like them at all. That is not because I am fed up of them letting me down, but the team is so disjointed and lacking in belief, that I cannot like them at all here. The team does not have the names nor the quality that they have had in the last decade, and they are going through something of a rebuilding period.

It was interesting to read Maradona’s comments about Nigeria having a decent attack but a questionable defence. I completely disagree. I think they will actually focus on their defence and it is reasonably well marshalled by Yobo, but going forward, they are severely lacking in my view. Yakubu seems set to start as the lone striker and he has really struggled since returning from the year-long absence due to a ruptured Achilles. They have options in Martins, Obinna, Utaka and Odemwingie, but none of them really come into this tournament in any real form.

I think we will see two different Nigeria’s here. Against Argentina, I think they will massively fear the likes of Messi and company, and they will play ultra defensive with 8/9 men behind the ball at all times. Against the other two teams in the group, they will have to come out and play, and I do not particularly like their chances there neither as I think it will unsettle them. I also do not like how they play when they go behind. Unlike the more disciplined Asian sides, Nigeria become ragged when they go behind as they launch men forward, so another reason to be careful when betting in their matches for example.

They have a chance of getting through the group, but I doubt they would go further even if they do. I think they will fall short, and it will inevitably be decided between the games between them, Greece and South Korea. I prefer to go with South Korea, and potentially Greece who just have the better game plan and tactics.

Prediction – Group stage Only



Greece

Possibly the most negative side in world football (sorry but it’s true mate!) have a solid chance of getting through this group but they will not earn any new supporters with their style of play. The focus will be on maximising set pieces and praying that Gekas hits form as he did in the qualifying. None of it will be pretty, but it has certainly proved effective for them at times under Rehhagel.

I was impressed that they were able to overcome Ukraine in the qualifying play-off, a goalless draw at home followed by a 0-1 in Kyiv was an outstanding result for them. I do however think that they were in a fairly weak group, and coming second behind the Swiss was nothing too special given their opponents.

What they will do is make it difficult for their opponents, and will likely be involved in low scoring games. They possibly have a fraction more threat offensively than South Korea, but they have a fairly old squad and I think some of them may struggle at times against the pace, power and work rate of their opponents. I just give South Korea the edge narrowly over them, but so much depends on that game between the two.

Prediction – Group stage Only



South Korea

These boys have a fair bit going for them as they come into this tournament. Their form is good, they qualified comfortably and their confidence is good. Their organisation and work rate is second to none – which is only enhanced by the fact that the team and squad has been pretty settled for a couple of years.

They are my favourites to compete with Greece for the second spot behind Argentina. I give them the edge as I have more faith in them – I know what to expect and what we will see from them. I cannot say the same for Nigeria at all, and to a lesser extent Greece. I think they can take advantage of Nigeria, but the game against Greece could be fundamental to their chances, and that is their first match on Saturday. The one concern I have about them which at the same time is a major strength for Greece is their lack of aerial strength. They do not have a particularly tall defence, and they may have issues dealing with the Greeks who have height in abundance be it in open play or set pieces. That will be a key issue for them to deal with if they want to be successful. I just give them the edge in the game and in the group to steal second place, but it will not be easy at all.

Prediction – Round of 16