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 8: You Live to Fight Another Day

"Do you believe in miracles...YES!" Now do you believe in ties? Only if it gives you a chance at survival...or denies another from doing any better than you are. WHAT DO YOU MEAN DANIEL??? I mean the United States has fought hard enough to live another day and Algeria keeps England at bay for 90 minutes to keep them from moving ahead. Is that the best strategy, NO...but it's a strategy, but I have a better one. Serbia did what they needed to do, BEAT GERMANY! They did what? Yes, THEY BEAT GERMANY! Now aside from Spain losing to Switzerland (yeah that was hard to stomach) this was the BIGGEST upset in the Cup and shows that the Germans are not invincible. The best news for all involved here in Group C & D is that they are all STILL ALIVE! Like they say on ESPN, "1 Game CAN CHANGE IT ALL"

Friday morning at 4:30AM in California has most people dreaming away, but then you would have missed Serbia's frenetic victory over Germany in an outcome that few predicted (myself included) that has them just below Germany on goal difference, but like many are saying, "It's anybody's game now". After the 1st set of matches, Argentina and Germany looked like clear cut potential winners of the Cup, but now things are shaping up to be The Netherlands and Argentina with the added South American contention of Brazil and Chile staying strong.

So what exactly did Serbia do? With goals from Millan Jovanovic (not Milla Jovovich the actress) scoring a goal in the 37th minute and Lukas Podolski missing a crucial penalty kick in the 59th (not a good sign ever), Serbia beat a "top dog". Their stellar defense, who had shut out consistent World Cup Qualifier Romania 5-0 to qualify, stopped all the German Stars whether they were born in Poland, Brazil or have roots in Turkey, Tunisia, España and of course Germany. Whom do I speak of? Miroslav Klose (born in Poland), Lukas Podolski (Polish to the bone), Cacau (born & raised in Brazil till he was 13) and you can throw in a German-Tunisian player in Sami Khaderi, Mario Gomez Garcia (Spanish Father from Granada), Mesut Ozil (German born of Turkish descent) and even Dennis Aogo (Nigerian Father)...SERBIA BEAT A QUARTER OF THE TEAMS WITH ONE WIN, LOL. This is huge because Germany could potentially be out of moving on to the Round of 16 should they lose to Ghana and Serbia handles Australia for their 2nd win.

Ghana may not beat Germany nor tie them, but the Serbs will probably beat or at least tie Australia for 2nd place and a spot in the Round of 16.

I'm at work super early to hear the USA game on ESPN Radio as I can't just watch it online without being noticed, so the time delay has increased nearly ten fold. Luckily and unluckily my attention is heightened as the bar across the street has people cheering everytime the USA scores a goal or oohing and awwing when something interesting happens. If you were fortunate enough to see the US come back from a 2-0 first half deficit consider it a blessing, because it was one of the greatest comebacks in Cup history IMHO (in my honest opinion). The only one that was greater being Colombia's 4-4 draw after being down 3-1 in the first half to tie the then powerhouse Russia with their Goalkeeper nicknamed "The Black Widow" Lev Yashin. BUT THE US COULD'VE, SHOULD'VE WON...hey that's the way the ball rolls...or really the referee from Mali :(

Now in the 2nd, Slovenia did not have to change their game plan much, however a resolute US side took it right to the former Yugoslavia/Serbia & Montenegro combined team with goals from Landon Donovan (48th minute) and then Michael Bradley (82nd minute) had everyone ecstatic. First from the bar and then my boss whose feed was quicked and finally a 3rd goal by Maurice Edu in the 86th to 86 this match (kill it), but no, Mr. Mali was MALO (referee Koman Coulibaly (this name is too easy to destroy in English or Español) saw a foul? Yeah a foul on the 4 Slovenian players holding Americans from moving! But we just don't know. This would have changed everything and given us 3 points and a sure move on to the next round, but miracles keep people going...so let us move on.

You may lose the battle, but who will win the war!

Again, don't forget one of the most intriguing films "The Two Escobars" will air again on ESPN Clasic's "30 for 30" documentary series Saturday June 26th at 10PM EST (That's 7PM for California, 8PM in Chicago). http://30for30.espn.com/film/the-two-escobars.html

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 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.