Ha! I can't believe I didn't search SI for a World Cup thread earlier! What a start to the Cup. Wonderful games. Everyone should keep an eye on Salas from Chile. He's HOT!
Chile: Salas - 11 goals in 12 games during the qualifiers and now 2 in the first match during the Finals. If Chile can win the group they've got an golden ticket to the quarter finals and that may just be enough time for Salas to wrap up the Golden Boot award. He's been terrorizing opposing keepers and don't expect him to stop now.
USA: I think the U.S. has a good chance to advance. They are in a tough group and must beat Yugoslavia, but, their defense is shaping up and no one has a better keeper than Keller. He can keep you alive all by himself. Look for Eddie Pope to step up his game to a world class level. He's a young and exciting player for the USA and should be a large part of the Americans defense for years to come. And he is constantly improving. If Brian McBride gets a chance up front (if Samson isn't an idiot) he'll create some chances. He is inexperienced, but, has a knack for creating and finishing. Some call it luck but I think it's instinct and hard work.
Germany: Germany is old. If they can stay away from injuries and score some early goals they can substitute effectively and prolong their run into the late rounds. The question is will they have enough stamina to make a run at Brazil. They certainly don't lack experience and with Mattheus seemingly turning over a new leaf they are experiencing a Cup appearance without the usual bickering. Never count out the Germans.
Brazil: If the defense tightens up they'll win it all. Ronaldo is brilliant and at 21 he'll have World Cup keepers wetting themselves for years to come. They had a shaky start and made mistakes that most teams would have made them pay for. Scotland just didn't have any luck that game.
OK, enough of team-by-team analysis - let's cut to the chase and make some long term predictions.
Predictions:
Format:Group, First Place, Second Place
A, Brazil, Scotland
B, Chile, Italy
C, France, Denmark
D, Spain, Bulgaria
E, Holland, Belgium
F, Germany, USA
G, England, Colombia
H, Argentina, Croatia
Second Round:
Chile defeats Scotland
Brazil defeats Italy
France defeats Bulgaria
Spain defeats Denmark
Germany defeats Belgium
Holland defeats USA
England defeats Croatia
Argentina defeats Colombia
Quarter-Finals
Chile defeats France
Brazil defeats Spain
Holland defeats Argentina
Germany defeats England
Semi-Finals
Brazil defeats Holland
Germany defeats Chile
Third Place Game
Holland defeats Chile
Final
Brazil defeats Germany |
