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Broken hearts, confederation hits and big dreams for the next 30 miles.

June 17th, 2006 | By: Luis Carlos | 8 Comments »

Broken Hearts

Last week we where heroes, favorites and CONCACAF giants, today we’re a small team with a broken heart and a few chances to do something in this World Cup. At least that is what everybody is saying.

I really don’t think so.

It is true that the best teams come from Europe (Germany, Italy, England, Portugal, France, Checz Republic and Netherlands) and South America (Argentina and Brazil), it’s also true that Asia, Africa, Australia and North America teams have a few teams that could do something in this world cup.

Let’s take a look of how things are going in this World Cup by Federations.

European teams headed to the second round: Germany, England, Netherlands, Portugal, (4)

South American teams headed to the second round: Ecuador, Argentina, (2)

Asian, African, Australian or CONCACAF teams headed to the second round: (0)

We still have half of the games to play, so they’re are some teams with chances those are:

European: Sweden, Italy, Chechz Republic, Croatia, France, Sweden, Spain, Ukraine, (8)

As you can see in Europe they’re are only 2 teams eliminated: (Poland and Serbia and Montenegro)

The other european teams are more likely to advance.

In south America there is only 1 of 4 teams that is out, Brazil will be in the second round, so that makes 3 SA teams.

In the other 4 Confederations (CONCACAF, Asia, Africa and Australia): The Soca Warriors have some chance, if they can beat Paraguay and if Sweden loses to England and ends with a +3 Diferential. We’ll have either Mexico or Angola in group D so that leaves us with one “other” in the second round, Mexico is much more likely to advance. In group E its anyones move, although I take the 2 european teams. Group F has a probable Australia, that has to do good against Croatia or Brazil, In group G and H I take the Europeans. So that leaves us with;

Second round:

from 10 to 12 of 14 European teams.

3 out of 4 of South American teams.

1 of 4 CONCACAF teams (leaving out T&T, and USA, since its hard for them to advance)

0 of 5 African teams (unless Ghana makes a miracle)

0 of 4 Asian teams (Korea could do the trick against Switzterland of France)

0 of 1 Australian teams (Australia can do the trick also, after their superb performance.

Notes; we still have a ton of games so its hard to predict the countries to advance to the second round, but these are the more likely.
I know Australia is not a continent, but they’re the only good team in ther Confederation.

So what I’m trying to say is that although european and Southamerican teams always do good in the World Cup and are the only Confederations to hold the trophy; (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina /France, Italy, Germany and England), there is always one team that can give a surprise from the “other” group: Korea, Senegal, Cameroon, USA. Well this year Mexico has a good chance to do something this time. Anyway we tied to the weakest or one of the weakest teams in the World cup, and now let’s beat Portugal to get the first spot in the group.

“Confederation hits”

Well if things stay as they are, with Mexico as the only true chance to go to the next round in North America, Ghana with a hard job to pull, and Asia with no team in sight, these 3 Confederations will suffer another tough hit. Why? Well South Amherica has the same spots as CONCACAF and 1 spot less than Asia in this WC, while they manage to acheive 3 out of 4 almost passes, we should pray to get a second spot and Africa will have a hard time seeing a team in the top 16.

Well I guess we should start preparing ourselves for another World Cup with European teams, Brazil and Argentina.

“Big Dreams”

Not everything is lost, I see Mexico going to the next round, and after seeing the replays of both Netherland games, I think we have a chance against them, if on the other hand ARgentina should be the rival, I know we could play a good game against them. Call it a dream, but I see Mexico in the Semi Finals. What do you think?

“My Questions”

1. Who do you prefer, Argentina or Netherlands?
2. Whats your pick in the Italy Vs. USA game?
3. What’s your pick in the POR VS MEX game?
4. How far will Mexico go in the WC
5. What should FIFA do with the actual Confederations?

Tags: Angola, CONCACAF, Group D, Mexico, Portugal

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Comments

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 17th, 2006 at 10:20 pm

Your incorrect about a couple of things: USA has a chance to advance, because the Italians and Czechs only have 3 points. Anything can happen in that group.

Also, the Soca Warriors are toast because Sweden and England will just draw and rest players probably.

Mexico is not dead yet, they had a bad game, you can gain some inspiration from the USA because they had 9 men whole 2nd half and still hung on like warriors. It can be done.

Should Mexico face Argentina you know tempers will be hot on both sides so anything could happen, of course we need to qualify first.

Posted from United States

By Richard Clark | June 18th, 2006 at 1:03 am

-Id perfer Holland since Mexico already played them and now know how they play with the ball.
-I say Mexico is going to draw with portugal
-Probably in Quarterfinals

Posted from United States

By edu | June 18th, 2006 at 1:00 pm

I think conventional wisdom leads for most of us to prefer to play the Dutch than the Argentinas, however is unfortunate that we’ll play Wednesday match ahead of their own game so we won’t have a clue of our fate and potential next opponent…

Reading this article makes me realize that we need to win for sure!!

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5705014

Posted from United States

By Luis Carlos | June 19th, 2006 at 1:24 am

USA is as toasted as T&T and Angola, Mexico is almost a sure thing to be in the top 16.

I also agree that Netherlands would be a better team to face, not only because Argentina has shown their superiority but because the Netherlands haven’t been up to the task.

I think I didn’t make my self clear in my blog since it’s kind of confusing I’ll post another one with the second round chances of the diferent groups after all of them have finished their second game.

There are some interesting games you can’t miss:

Germany VS. Ecuador
England Vs. Sweden
Group E & D’s Games
Argentina Vs. Netherlands

Those are the games I should advise you to don’t miss.

c’ya
Lc

Posted from Mexico

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 19th, 2006 at 5:31 am

These past couple days has become something of a “you dont know what can happen next” kind of thing. I mean, the vast majority outside of Ghana would never have picked them to whip up in the Czech’s. Hats off to those guys. Next, U.S. played Italy, a WC favorite and powerhouse, really well despite the fact that the ref f*cked the game. Brazil’s defense is playing shaky. I suppose Brazil will get better as they go, at least that’s what everyone is saying, but I for one expected a lot more out of them against Croatia and Australia. France and Korea draw… no one expected much out of France I guess, however, most so called “experts” said Korea sucks outside of their home. If Europeans are supposed to have the homecourt advantage per say… then how come they couldn’t beat Korea?
Everyone thinks Argentina is playing the best right now, including myself, but I say wait till they meet the Netherlands. Could be a lot different game than we expect, perhaps NTH brings it for real and whips up on ARG, probably not, but who knows.
I pray Mexico gets it together and brings their A game against Portugal, because if they do advance, which is not even a guaranteed thing yet, they’ll def. have to have their A game against whichever opponent they will face then.

Posted from United States

By Luis Carlos | June 19th, 2006 at 5:02 pm

Well Hurrikane I think that’s what everyone is expecting. Me for my part, think that if we get passed the second round we could be unstopable. Or at least I hope that.

Posted from Mexico

By Tom | June 19th, 2006 at 11:53 pm

This post shows that you really dont learn from experience, Luis Carlos. There you are ruling the likes of USA, T&T, Angola and Ghana because you dont think they are good enough. I thought that you would learn from the game against Angola (I think the mexicans didnt win because they failed to do their homework and dismissed Angola as being weak). It seems that you prefer to cover your eyes instead of facing real facts. If Mexico are lucky enough to make it to the second round, dont dream, they will get taken out by either Argentina or Holland easily. This my friend is the truth!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Rene | June 20th, 2006 at 12:22 am

Tom:

Mexico didn’t tie because of that. They dis because Lavolpe teams have a hard time opening up teams that go in only to defend themselves. Even in the qualifiers you could see that.

I have seen Lavolpe coach for years, and he is never underprepared for matches. In fact if you want to fault him for something, it is for overanalyzing an opponent.

And as far as the “if Mexico is lucky enough” comment, you actually have it wrong. It should ready “if Mexico is UNLUCKY enough” they won’t make it to the next round. Think about it, there is only one outcome that would leave Mexico out:

Angola winning by several goals and/or Mexico losing by several goals. I don’t see either one happening. In fact, having seen Iran and Angola, I find it more feasable for Iran to tie or win that game than Angola becoming a goal making machine.

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