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World Cup Power Rankings

June 20th, 2006 | By: Luis Carlos | 20 Comments »

Every team has played 2 games, we’re just one away to see which teams are going to be in the top 16, is too bad we have to see mediocre teams like France or Corea advance before Checz, USA or Ghana. But this is the WC we have tight group and we have so so groups. From the 8 top seeded teams (Germany, England, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, France and Spain) France is the only team that hasn’t won a game and with Mexico and Italy the only teams in this group who still don’t have a sure pass.

Notes: These ranking show what they’ve done in the World Cup, it doesn’t tell wich team is tougher to beat, but what team has been more regular in their play. In my opinion their are only 10 teams that have shown they could do something interesting in this world cup, and the champion would come from the first 10 group.

Well this are my power rankings. Have fun arguing.

1. Argentina (6 pts + 7 dif) With only one goal against and 8 made, this team has demonstrated us what an explosive offense they could have. I think this is the team to beat right now. Destroying the group of dead, I pick them now as the worst nightmare for any team in the next round.

2. Brazil (6pts + 3 dif) Well they’re the champs, they where the top team and all year favorites, but the way they’re playing I don’t think this will be their year. BUT they have great players that could turn any game around and they have Ronaldinho, the greatest player (prior to this World Cup).

3. Spain (6 pts + 6 dif) I never thought I would say this, but this team has showed us a couple of things: they have young players who can score, they have older players who can make a diference, they can destroy a team (4-0) and they can beat adversity (Tunisia).

4. England (6 pts + 3 dif) They haven’t play well, but they can win, they will becaome a threat in the next round and I can assure you neither Germany or Ecuador wants to face them in the next round.

5. Germany (6 pts + 3 dif) Although they are not in the top seed in their group they could turn things around tomorrow and they could be in the top spot in a minute and beat either Sweden or T&T in the next round. Besides, they are the locals put them at least in the quarter finals.

6. Italy (4 pts + 2 dif) They don’t have a spot yet in the next round, but still they’re amazing playing ball, they have a great arsenal and one of the top defenses only acepting and own goal in two tight games.

7. Portugal (6 pts + 3 dif) They could probably not advance as a top seed, but they’re undefeated and well in the next round.

8. Netherlands (6 pts + 2 dif) Not lived my expectations or many other expectations but are still a team to take serious, we’ll see what they’re capable against Argentina in the next game.

9. Ecuador (6 pts +5 dif) This year surprise, Ecuador could be the next South American superpower, or just a one year wonder. They haven’t received one goal in the tournament.

10. Mexico (4pts +2dif) With a chance to advance in the top seed of their group, they need to found their goal to be taken serious. Mexico has shown that they are the best team out of Europe and South America, a spot that Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America can fight but not take from them.

Still in there: Teams that are in the 10-16 spots but need to improve. In no particular order:

Sweden, Checz Republic, Australia, Switzerland, France, Ukraine.

Probably not: Teams that could be in the next round but haven’t proven anything in this World Cup:

Trinidad and Tobago, Angola, Ghana, USA, Croatia, Japan, South Korea, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Bye Bye: Teams that have said good bye in only 2 games, thank you for being here, hope to see you in 4 years.

Poland, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro, Iran and Togo.

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Comments

By Rene | June 20th, 2006 at 7:10 am

The information is innacurate.

Brazil has been the only team from the Americas to win a World Cup in European soil, which they did in 1958 in Sweden, which was also the first appearance for Pele, and who score an incredible goal in the Final against the Swedes.

In fact, no European team has been able to do the same thing in the Americas, although they have been close several times, installing a team in the finals in 1962 (Czechoslovakia), 1970 (Italy), 1978 (Netherlands), 1986 (Germany), 1994 (Italy)

Posted from United States

By Luis Carlos | June 20th, 2006 at 5:08 pm

Well, you’re actually right. Still it happened 50 years ago, and we had have 11 Wc since then.

Thanks I’ll edit the blog.

Posted from Mexico

By Huge | June 20th, 2006 at 5:25 pm

Nice summary, but i don’t understand. Since when is Mexico the top seeded team in the group (Portugal is), and how is Mexico the best team out of Europe or South America if they are from North America (Central America)?

Posted from Canada

By Daniel | June 20th, 2006 at 5:32 pm

I think he meant that Mexico is one of the 8 seeded teams to get their own group. I also agree with his position that Mexico is the best team outside of Europe and South America.

I don’t know how England could be so far up on that list.

Posted from United States

By Fabio | June 20th, 2006 at 5:55 pm

Huge… dude get your Geography right before you start blogging. If you are not sure from what continent or region a country is part of, then hush… Mexico is not from Central America - dude - so don’t even suggest that. Writting from Canada, you should really know the countries in your own continent.

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 20th, 2006 at 8:42 pm

Rankings in sports in my opinion are rubbish. They are just media creations and usually biased. The one good thing about the world cup, is to finish as the eventual champion you have to play everybody eventually.

To me there are no favorites. Until you knock of the champion, the champion is still Brazil. Everybody is still a contender.

Posted from United States

By Luis Carlos | June 20th, 2006 at 9:36 pm

Thanks Daniel and Fabio:

1. There are 8 top seed, every one of them leads a group.

Group A: Germany
Group B: England
Group C: Argentina
Group D: Mexico
Group E: Italy
Group F: Brazil
Group G: France
Group H: Spain.

2. Mexico is in CONCACAF wich is the North and Central America Confederation. And yes, Mexico is from North America, have you heard of NAFTA North America Free Trade Agreement. (Mexico, Canada and USA).

Big Baller:

One of the things I like about rankings is that you always have a good discusion to make, wheter if its about the goodbeing of rankings.

Luck

C’ya
Lc

Posted from Mexico

By KING GERARDO | June 20th, 2006 at 10:26 pm

WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT RANKINGS WHAT I REALLY CARE ABOUT AND WANT TO SEE IT’S MY SELECCION MEXICAN KICK SOME PORTUGUESE’S ASS AND SHOW EVERYBODY ONCE AND FOR WHAT ARE WE MADE OF. I WANNA SEE THE MEXICO THAT BEAT BRASIL, THAT TIED ARGENTINA IN THE SEMIFINAL, OR SHOULD I SAY ARGENTINA TIED US. I REALLY DOESN’T MATTER I JUST WANNA SEE THE WHOLE TEAM MAKING AN EFFORT AND LIVE THEIR HEARTS OUT IN THE FIELD. I KNOW MEXICO IT’S CAPABLE OF DOING IT. I HAVE FAITH IN THE WHOLE TEAM. THAT’S WHY TOMORROW “NO VOY A TRABAJAR, NO VOY A TRABAJAR” JUST TO WATCH THE GAME. LIKE ON FRIDAY, AND I’M GOING TO DRINK SOME NEGRAS MODELO TO CELEBRATE OUR VICTORY AND THAT WE ARE IN THE 2ND ROUND NO MATTER WHO WE PLAY
VAMOS MUCHACHOS!
MAKE US PROUD
MEXICO 2
PORTUGAL 1

Posted from United States

By KING GERARDO | June 20th, 2006 at 10:28 pm

LIVE=LEAVE

Posted from United States

By PT | June 20th, 2006 at 11:08 pm

Portugal 3-1 mexico

Portugal will whip your asses!

Posted from United Kingdom

By tarkaba | June 20th, 2006 at 11:22 pm

The score will be Mexico 1 - 0 Portugal.

Posted from United States

By Timo | June 20th, 2006 at 11:49 pm

Mexico will step up to the plate for the Portugal game and will demonstrate why it was selected as head of the group.

My prediction: Mexico 2 - Portugal 0

Timo
Desde San Diego, CA

pero arriba Juarez!!

Posted from United States

By Silverbeard | June 21st, 2006 at 4:49 am

You guys make me laugh. I don’t really care if Portugal loses this match; it’s close to a nothing game anyway.

However, put Mexico and Portugal in a theoretical World Cup FINAL match and Portgual wins 9 times out of 10. They have so much more quality on their side.

Play defensively like Greece did 2 years ago and you’ll have a chance, but it isn’t joga bonito. Where’s greece now?

By Bono | June 21st, 2006 at 4:59 am

Let be realistic the game is going to end in a tie with both teams advancing. I will predict the game will be 0-0 or 1-1

By Rene | June 21st, 2006 at 5:11 am

Silverbeard:

OK… let’s put things in perspective, shall we?

a) more than half the starters of this Portuguese team are the same ones that crashed and burned 4 years ago.

b) Couldn’t defeat Greece, which is hardly a fear inducing team.

c) Is only advancing to the next round in 40 years

The only thing that I have always disliked about European teams is how they feel they are so much superior to teams outside of Brazil and Argentina, just because they do not know anything about the players in other countries.

Newsflash: The only reason why several Mexican players have not made it to Europe is because they are well paid in Mexico and teams here put a very steep price tag. The players do not need to leave for economic reasons, like their Brazilian and Argentinian counterparts.

And as I said yesterday, every Portuguese supporter that is mocking Mexico, puts a BIG disclaimer upfront saying that you might lose because you are playing five subs. Aren’t those five subs playing in Europe too? Aren’t some of them playing in Champions League matches and UEFA cups? Playing outside of Portugal? Wouldn’t that mean that theoretically, outside of Marquez, Borgetti (who is not playing) and Franco, even the subs should be above the starters in Mexico?

That disclaimer is just so convenient. And I disagree… Portugal will go out to win, because the prospect of facing Argentina in the next round, and if they defeat them, probably face Germany the round afterwards should be enough to entice them to go all out.

We’ll just have to wait and see just how good you are… and believe me, after watching those two matches of yours, I am not THAT impressed.

P.S.: Mexico’s record against Scolari teams: 2 wins, 2 ties, 0 defeats.

Posted from United States

By Daniel | June 21st, 2006 at 7:52 am

That is why I always root against European teams (throw in Argetina too)…I can’t stand elitists.

Posted from United States

By Dan | June 21st, 2006 at 3:30 pm

Was suprised you dismissed Ghana so low. If they can keep up the level of play they showed against the Czchechs, they are as good (or better) as anyone outside EU and SA.
Don’t know how big an if that is, guess we’ll see Thurs.

Posted from United States

By Bono | June 21st, 2006 at 5:04 pm

EH PORTUGAL OLE
PORTUGAL OLE
PORTUGAL OLE
PORTUGAL
OLE

PORTUGAL B - 2
MEXICO - 1

By Huge | June 21st, 2006 at 9:25 pm

Fabio:

I think you’re mistaken. I did write North America and I put (Central America) in brackets. Which should have actually been “Latin America”.
I was just trying to correct the confusing summary given to Mexico in the post.

Posted from Canada

By LIMA | July 2nd, 2006 at 10:17 pm

The 2 most technical teams in the world are Portugal and Brazil. Being that the cup is in europe Brazil will go home early. Portugal will be champs

Posted from United States

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