WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP A-D WINNERS...BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Who is moving on in the World Cup at Brasil, Brazil, Bresil 2014 and who is going home soon???

It's time to figure out where the World's best stand on the biggest stage and head to head.  You may have your ideas of who is the best or how far a team will go, but it's based on your team strength, luck of the draw, health, unity, sports psychology, LOCATION lots of history...which I love!  I predicted Spain would win 4 years ago and most all of the teams out of the group stage so let's see how I do this year...but it won't be easy with so many star players left off the 23 man squad (Donovan for USA, Rossi for Italy, Ronaldinho for Brasil) or injured (Falcao for Colombia, Montes for Mexico, Costa for Spain, Ribery for France).  So what's left?  That's what I'm trying to figure out after going through tons of reports, news, updates, historical data and just that GUT FEELING!

I only have so much time before Brasil v. Croatia takes place so let's get this rolling for you to read around halftime, just so you don't feel I'm cheating.  I'll make it short and sweet and do a group by group breakdwon/update of matches played and going forward as things change, injuries happen and some countries just don't show up!

GROUP A

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

GROUP B

Spain

Netherlands

Chile

Australia

GROUP C

Colombia

Greece

Côte d'Ivoire

Japan

GROUP D

Uruguay

Costa Rica

England

Italy

Group A

The home team always goes through (save South Africa 2010), but this is Brasil and I'll just say that they'll be fine and go one of two ways, win it all or lose in a quarter final upset. I say this as they can be overconfident.  For now Group A is Brasil 1st and Cameroon 2nd, WHAT?! Normally Mexico always goes through but in South American World Cups, they don't play well, have made it through once in the old system of playoffs, but they lost a lot with Montes being injured. Croatia is strong, but not like France '98.  Cameroon is itching with Samuel Eto'o in probably his last World Cup and strong and should be comfortable in this diverse land.

GROUP B: Spain is the champ and Netherlands was 2nd, but watch out for a South American team in South America, that being Chile.  When Chile played in their homeland in '62 they finished 3rd!  They are going through and may be 1st barring a slight injury to Vidal.  Spain has haphazardly lost or tied openers (even in the last World Cup they lost the opening game), but this team is to tough and experienced and as former conquerors of South America (see how an old conqueror of Africa won in Africa) they will go first and Chile 2nd. Holland is experienced and have been runner's up here and last time in Africa, but without Rafael Van der Vaart in the midfield and Greogry van der Wiel in defense their gelling is thrown off.

Group C: Colombia! Colombia! Colombia! Front running enough for you haha, it's my parents homeland and we've all lived through enough crushing defeats and this year was supposed to be our best chance as a dark horse to win it all and steal it, but with Falcao injured, the best would be 4th place after a Quarter Final upset of Brasil (a Maracanazo) as we play them better than anyone.  Let's just get that first nod out of the Group stage as Greece is not proven here.  Japan gives me fits as they have more support in Brasil being that there are a lot of Japanese who grew up here and they are a fast team who play really good set pieces (free kicks, indirect kicks, corners).  It's a bigger motivation for Drogba playing in his last World Cup for The Ivory Coast (Les Elephantes being their nickname).  If they upset Colombia they'd go first, but not down here, so the 2nd place team to advance and done.

GROUP D: Is a Classic Group with 3 former Champions and Uruguay now is the healthiest and strongest who have kept their team together with the return of Luis Suarez.  They still have Forlan who was the Golden Boot winner and best player & Cavani and weak in group play, but they got in so now it's on and they are strong.  What does that mean? Try and stop them, they are now my new dark horse to take it all and/or cause another Maracanazo, so to begin play strong and win this group.  Italy is strong and should go far, but without Rossi, not going to the semis, but if so they'd lose it...perhaps in penalties.  These two champs face off again in a big match for the top spot.  England is solid and has been perfect in group play, but that varies in Europe so it's a small sampling, still lacking and again in South America they pretty much go down in flames (1950, 1970, what were you there, exactly).  Costa Rica can cause problems for the to be 2nd place entry, but at their strength on this stage, in this group of death, they'd be hard pressed though I think they'll make a valiant effort.

Tired from culinary school and commitments, I get this out just after the Mexico opener, but finished writing group A-C by half time of the Brasil 3-1 victory over Croatia.  Though I won't bet all my marbles on it, Croatia looks to upset the 2nd place entry, but more so, Brasil looks vulnerable (no matter what the refs called or didn't) and I feel are being replaced by Uruguay or Argentina as the eventual champion.  Remember it's gotta be a South American team as only we win here.  A first, aaahhh, not feeling it just yet.  I may be wrong, but that's hardly ever the case...because I know what I'm talking about HAHAHAHAHA!!

Okay Group E-H this weekend, enjoy the game and if you don't agree with me, tell me and I'll back it up even more with historical data...and we'll see right :) follow me on instagram: ColoAmericano

World Cup 2010 Day 7: YOU WANT GOALS, WE GOT GOALS!

Fans, critics and historians had been complaining that there wasn't enough goal scoring in South Africa. That it's totally boring if there's not a lot of goals scored being that in the past 4 World Cups the averages were 2.3, 2.5 & 2.7 (both in '98 & '94). Previously it was only 1.64, but after today it's up to 1.9, WHY?...Cause EVERYONE GOT IN ON THE ACTION!

The Greeks started off the morning (for us in the United States) with a sounding defeat of Nigeria 2-1 after Sani Kaita was sent off in the second half for shoving and throwing a kick at a Greek player during a dead ball as Nigeria held a 1-0 lead...until the end of the 1st half. Was it silly yes, was it warranted, HEY, according to seasoned Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz yes! It's just not tolerated this year. By the way (BTW) Oscar's inclusion in the Cup is the most action Colombia has seen cause we didn't make it this year and the Honduran Coach Reinaldo Rueda.

With a resounding 2nd goal in the 71st minute to seal the victory, the first for Greece ever, was not only historical but mythological. How so, well as I told my good comedian friend Angelo Tsarouchas, a Greek player was injured on the ground distracting the 10 man Nigerian team when this "Trojan like Horse of a play" (no disrespect it was a clean goal) nailed the backline of Nigeria. Yes Achilles slaughtered an Ethiopian warrior, but Nigerians are African too...do you know your Greek mythology, ok enough CLASSIC HISTORY. I went so far as to ask Angelo, "Does Vasileios TOROSIDIS stand for Trojan Horse", hey it's all Greek to me and that puts them in contention for a 2nd place struggle with South Korea.

Let's switch it up to MODERN HISTORY. Understand that goal averages in the previous 4 World Cups dating back to USA '94 and started with Germany 2006 have been 2.3, 2.5 & 2.7 ('98 & '94). In 1990 the average dropped to 2.2, the lowest ever, after all was said and done with a 1-0 Final of Germany over Argentina.

Speaking of Argentina, they are now a huge favorite to win it all after a beat down of North Korea (Korea DPR) at the feet of, no not Messi, but Gonzalo Higuain. Don't know him, you better now, he just scored a HAT TRICK (3 goals in one game) for "La Albiceleste" who are now riding a 2 game win streak and practically guaranteeing themselves a spot in the Round of 16. The first goal in this 4-1 slaughter came from the shin of Park Chu-Young, the 2nd of this Cup, the first by Denmark. Now I've heard that Kim Jong Il will give players who perform well crappy jobs upon their return, but it wouldn't have mattered in this game as Argentina poured in on with Carlos Tevez attacking and feeding the fleet footed Messi who has gotten off more shots than anyone, but has yet to connect. The good news for the Korean is that he won't be shot, as crazy as Kim Jong is, like our unfortunate infamous son Andres Escobar in '94 for the same error in a decisive match versus the USA. Which by the way "The Two Escobars" will air on ESPN Tuesday June 22nd at 9PM EST (That's 6PM for California).

Did you know there have been 47 "Hat Tricks" in the World Cup since 1930, AMAZING! The only year that there wasn't one was in the last World Cup in '06..surprisingly!

This leads me to our final match with Mexico soundly defeating France in a "fast and furious" match that saw Les Bleus succumb to pinpoint strategy at the hands of El Tri. Now El Tri stand for 3 colors, but note that many flags (including France) have 3 stripes in them, also even and with nothing else...GO FIGURE! What was a nailbiter for the over a half turned into, ANOTHER HISTORY LESSON, when Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez came on in the 55th minute to score less than 10 minutes later and beautifully beating out all defenders to face a lone goalie. WHAT'S COINCIDENTALLY HISTORICAL is that his abuelito (grandfather for you Gringos), Tomas Balcazar, scored a game tying goal for Mexico in 1954 against France. The only differnce being that this goal was the winner. So what did Mexico do, KEEP ATTACKING, which led to a penalty of another substitute in Cuauhtemoc Blanco that seared past the French goalie. WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS GOAL??? Blanco is now the only Mexican footballer to score in 3 different World Cups, FELICIDADES (CONGRATULATIONS PEOPLE!)


Let's take 1 MORE LOOK AT HISTORY! The average had started off at 3.9 goals per match in 1930 and peaked in 1954 at 5.4...WHAT! Yes 5.4 per match with guys from Hungary like Ferenc Puskas (One of the "4 Horseman of the Apocalypse" for Real Madrid's incredible teams of the 1950's), Sandor Kocsis (leading goal scorer in '54 with 11) and my personal favorite name ZOLTAN CZIBOR (Coolest name of any World Cup player ever). These guys were pulling off 8-3, 9-0, 6-1 victories, RIDICULOUS, but hey, they were that good, but not good enough, losing to Germany in a 3-2 comeback, CRAZY!

Next up Germany v. Serbia (Germans should be too much & win 2-1)
Our match of the day in USA v. Slovenia (We need this & can win 2-1)
A vindictive match for England v. Algeria (both want to prove their with, but England is the better team and will be sharp, so 2-0). Let's see how I do here ;^)


You don't like it or you do like it, tell me about it, comment on my website http://www.futboldelcorazon.com/ leave me a comment on my board...and we can discuss, but save the real talking for the soccer field.

World Cup 2010 Day 6: There's something that burns below the surface

Now what do I expect to see from Group H, HELL ON WHEELS! And with good reason.

Chile qualified 2nd in the South America Zone with the 2nd highest number of goals (32), which means a high powered offense, one point behind Brasil. Humberto Suazo scored 10 goals (tops in this leage), so what does that mean for Honduras??? HELL!!! Not to say, they don't have a chance to a 1-1 tie, being coached by former Colombian leader Reinaldo Rueda (the only Colombian in the Cup minus two referees...pathetic, I know), have much resolve. Is it enough, unless Carlos Pavon pulls off a hat trick, they probably won't win. Chile is an attacking, free flowing South American squad led by "El Loco" Marcelo Bielsa of Argentina and he has "La Roja" firing on all cylinders. 2-0 Chile and that's being conservative as I don't see a North Korea Brazil stifling 1st half.

Just a history lesson from my Dad, Spain has never been beaten by Switzerland, 15-0-3...and it's not about to happen today! I can concede that the game may be hard fought, Spain may be nervous or more so trying too hard, but this is not the current Brazilian, this is the undefeated and save The Confederations Cup (undisputed) top flight team that no one wants to face. So what happens, well expected would be a 4-1 or 3-0 victory, but as this first round has gone 2-1 is more likely. Is Switzerland as poor a defense as Australia? No, but Spain is an even better offense than Germany, even in the latest rounds of World Cups, so let's make it 2-0 just to be conservative. The Swiss would have to cut off lots of passes to have a chance and get lucky in order to be in it. "La Madre Patria" (Spain for me) is my overall winner and I'm taking it to the bank, not to be biased, but Spain has been killing everyone and I don't think their fury is going to stop anytime soon as they have a lot to prove....what better time to do it.

We get a treat today too, with the end of Spain v. Switzerland comes the beginning of the 2nd stage and that starts off with Uruguay v. South Africa. If you thought France v. Uruguay was hard to predict, this is even harder. Remember I called Group A the Group of Confusion, well now South Africa is playing inspired football despite being one of the lowest ranked entries into Fifa 2010 Finals, they are attacking, scoring goals, setting up plays and doing all the things France did against Uruguay minus scoring a goal. What France did do is play some very tactical defense and stellar counter attacking that may prove to be too much for the host nation. I do believe South Africa will get their chances, but if they don't capitalize, Uruguay will bring down the thunder and that means goals by Forlan and his friends and for that reason I see another 2-1 to the South American Charruas just as Brazil v. North Korea.

The gracious host will not make it out with a questionable French side still in it and Mexico always coming out of the group stage for the last 6 cups, but it's still open.

Today will show more competiveness, but with lowered results from the underdogs...Cinderalla only had so many ugly sisters ;)


You don't like it or you do like it, tell me about it, comment on my website http://www.futboldelcorazon.com/ and leave me a comment on my board...and we can discuss, but save the real talking for the soccer field.

GROUP A: SOUTH AFRICA, MEXICO, URUGUAY, FRANCE

Let's get right into it. To analyze a group you need to know about the past, present and very near future of highs & lows that run through every group no matter how good or bad. Now everyone had been talking about Group G: The Group of Death, but with all the changes in the level of play a lot more questions, concerns and changes of heart have led me to call Group A: The Group of Confusion..."lemme 'splain..."

The opening match defines the tempo of the group stages and in South Africa v. Mexico you have a defensive more conservative host nation warding off an attacking, fly whenever possible squad in Mexico that is much improved over the last 3 World Cups. Mexico will shoot from anywhere, yet often gets beat down in the box, however always play like they can win the game. For being scrappy, Mexico wins out 2-1. Mexico will also go on to overtake the French 1-0 in a match that will be hard fought, but Ochoa in the box is a fox and Blanco will set-up a shot that anyone of his forwards will easily put in Les Blues goal. Match of the series, Uruguay v. Mexico for all the marbles.

Uruguay as a 2 time champion and is the 1st winner of the World Cup. What does that mean, sometimes nothing, however with a renewed ferocious attacking strike-force in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez supported by Sebastian Abreu at the forward positions you'll be hard pressed to keep them down. What do I mean, THEY WILL HURT YOU BAD! Uruguay gets past the troubled French squad 3-1 and takes the number 1 position. How? by going on to soundly beat South Africa and a tie with Mexico as they have such different styles and will spend more time figuring each other out. The goal is, TO SCORE MORE GOALS! and play tough defense so you can win more games and have a goal difference advantage. If you win 3 games of course you win, if you win 2 games you're almost guaranteed to move on the round of 16, but if you only win 1 game, you better score a lot of goals. Uruguay is a team that can score a lot of goals.

Now one of the major issues in this group is that the host nation has always come out of the group stage in all 17 previous World Cups, which I see happening in the lowest rank team in South Africa. What is scary, TRADITION ONCE AGAIN! Why do I say that? South Africa is not only playing at home, playing in the first World Cup in Africa, but have a deep sense of pride that has overcome much poverty, apartheid and for a time attacks by one of the most formidable armies in the World, England. This is a deeper sense of an evaluation that takes into account the simple fact that the English figured with rifles and pistols they would easily control and overtake a frenzied group of tribes who carried spears and leather shields. They were completely wrong and the Zulu Nation overran many a British line that led to much respect and in modern times several movies about it's leaders, battles and people.

Taking it back to France and you see a team that on paper is the strongest on paper in terms of pedigree, talent and experience yet doesn't play like it. Of course with the retirement of Zinedine Zidane they lost leadership, firepower and a sense of bravado that they have been lacking. France had been so lost, they nearly failed to qualify and only lucked out by one of those "mano de Dios" plays that you wouldn't expect to see anymore after such infamous a goal had been scored by Argentina's Maradona in 1986 versus England in the Quarter Finals. They're saving grace? Thiere Henry is coming off the bench and as an experienced striker who has played on the best teams, scoring several goals, he could be this Cup's Roger Milla of Cameroon in 1990's schlacking of Colombia (yes painful memories) by scoring goals of the bench and leading his team to the second round.

You don't like it, tell me about it, comment on my website http://www.futboldelcorazon.com/ and leave me a comment on my board...and we can discuss, but save the real talking for the soccer field.