World Cup predictions on the Final Stage.

[Vic_Rattlehead]

Well, for me: (bold are the ones going through)

Germany
Poland
Ecudaor
Costa Rica

England
Sweden
Paraguay
Trin. Tob.

The Netherlands
Argentina
Serb. Mont
Ivory Coast

Portugal
Mexico
Angola
Iran

Italy
Czech Rep.
United States
Ghana

Brazil
Croatia
Japan
Australia

France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Any ideas?

[gyoza]

Mostly the same as yours, except I think Japan and South Korea will go through at the expense of Croatia and Switzerland. I'm also relatively sure that one of the African debutants will go through to the second round, though I have no idea which.

Though the knockout draws haven't been made yet, my wild prediction for the final is Brazil meeting England and winning the second straight World Cup. Last time around, before a ball was kicked I predicted that Brazil would beat Germany in the final... wonder how I'll do this time :)

[NERD]

I think more than two South American team (Brazil, Argentina) will make it to the second round. They have too much talent down there. And I think Australia may edge Japan/Croatia to the next round- never underestimate a team led by Gus Hiddink. Either Saudi Arabia/Iran may have a good run and pull off a shocker. And I see Korea beating out Switzerland and Togo.

[Jay]

I say we can get through.

If our defence holds up this time, as it didn't in the Confed Cup last year, then we can go all the way and challenge Brazil in the pool stages.

Brash claim, but Argentina are in Brazil's league these days and if our defence hadn't gone berserk in the Confed last year we'd have beaten Argentina. But we ditched the coach that made us look lame for so long (Frank Farina) and picked ourselves up a master. Now we have the team and we have the coach. Watch out for Australia.

Finals? I dunno. I'll say semis for Australia.

All my other opinions tie in with yours though, Vic.

[gyoza]

Yeah, Brazil's group seems to be the toughest. Brazil's the best team in the world, Japan's a very quick and technical team, Croatia is physically tough, and Australia has Guus Hiddink and some very skilful players. The thing about the South American teams is that Paraguay and Ecuador are both in tough groups. I'd say Ecuador has a better chance of advancing though, since it will be extremely tough for Paraguay to displace either England or Sweden from the top of their group.

[NERD]

When I mentioned other South American teams, I was referring to Ecuador/Costa Rice. I don't think the Polish team is that good, but I may be biased from the results of 2002.

[gyoza]

Paraguay is a South American team, Costa Rica isn't. They played the US in qualifying so they're classified under a different region. Poland was pretty bad in 2002, but they were solid in qualifying, and could do really well.

[Jay]

I think the surprise packets will be Ghana, Togo, and the other African nations that qualified for the first time. They ousted teams like Cameroon and others that have World Cup quarter/semi finals experience.

[NERD]

Not to mention Togo has Adebayor... I hope that they don't do well for the sake of Korean team. However, African teams are always the dark horse since they have great athletic abilities, though they may be more temperamental.

[Jay]

Also, I think Tunisia might get the better of the Ukraine.

[NERD]

So uh, Vic is being a bit Euro-centric in his prediction? Can't blame him for being a Brit, I suppose....

[gyoza]

Hmm, I thought Tunisia were terrible at the last World Cup, though Ukraine have little experience at World Cups. I think Shevchenko will be the difference; Tunisia have not a single world-class player in their team.

Vic, I've always wondered: are you a Red or a Blue?

[Jay]

I hope to God he's not a Blue. :D

And I dunno, something about Tunisia makes me think they'll do well.

[NERD]

World class player doesn't constitute a good team, and as always, there's a chance someone will emerge from the pack and become a star player. At the same time star players may be part of the bone-headed play that just loses the game.

Like Zidane was the star player of '98, then became the goat on '02.

The question is, if you are the manager for Brazil, who do you give the upper hand to, Ronaldo or Ronaldinho? Must be one happy dilemma to be in. *envy*

[Jay]

For a 442 formation, Ronaldo on the left, Ronaldinho on the right.

Or vice versa, depending on preference.

[NERD]

I believe as long as both of them are performing up to 80% at the same time, the opposing defense will have a hard time containing them. So would you run a 2-4-4 or a 3-4-3 with them?

[Jay]

343 with Robinho netween the two and Kaka playing left wing. :D

Holy fuck... there's like... millions of them... Mummy... I'm scared...

[gyoza]

Isn't Ronaldo going through a really bad patch? He's been having a horrible season at Real, and seems to have lost the hunger for football (at least from some of the games I've seen him in). I know this won't happen because he's worshipped in Brazil, but if I were in charge of the team I'd drop him because there are so many people who are playing much better than he is now.

I'd go for a 5-3-2 with wingbacks. Three-man defence, two wingbacks (Brazil has some good players who can play wingback like Cicinho and Roberto Carlos), a more defensive-minded midfielder, Ronaldinho in a free role, Kaka behind the strikers, and Robinho and Adriano for a big/small striker combi. :)

[Jay]

According to Wikipedia:

Current squad

Goalkeepers:

* Bahia Dida
* Rio de Janeiro Júlio César
* São Paulo Marcos
* Paraná Rogério Ceni

Defenders:

* São Paulo Cafu
* São Paulo Cicinho
* São Paulo Cris
* São Paulo Edmílson
* Rio de Janeiro Gilberto
* Rio de Janeiro Gustavo Nery
* Rio de Janeiro Juan
* Distrito Federal Lúcio
* São Paulo Luisão
* São Paulo Roberto Carlos
* Minas Gerais Roque Júnior

Midfielders:

* Paraná Alex
* São Paulo Júlio Baptista
* Rio Grande do Sul Emerson
* Minas Gerais Gilberto Silva
* Pernambuco Juninho Pernambucano
* Distrito Federal Kaká
* São Paulo Ricardinho
* Rio Grande do Sul Ronaldinho Gaúcho
* São Paulo Zé Roberto

Forwards:

* Rio de Janeiro Adriano
* Minas Gerais Fred
* São Paulo Ricardo Oliveira
* São Paulo Robinho
* Rio de Janeiro Ronaldo

My God, they're EVERYW-- *head explodes*

[NERD]

Ronaldo gained some weight, even though he's denying it. And given the nature of soccer, if a player gains weight, he cannot escape from the criticisms of being lazy. I agree, there are players in that roster playing better than Ronaldo at this point.

Not sure if Brazil needs a 2-3-5 though, I don't think they would need that much help with the defense, and I'd rather have 4 midfielders to create more chances for the talented strikers upfront. Remember, Brazil is not Italy.... :p 2 man defense with 2 wingbacks would do in my opinion.

You know, if you look at the Brazilian roster, it is like the Dream Team for soccer....

[Jay]

Football.

There is no such sport as soccer.

This is something my brother refuses to understand.

[NERD]

In America the name football has given way to a different sport. Hence, when I'm talking to non-Americans, I try to use football, but habits die hard.

[gyoza]

Thing is, a formation is a fluid thing. A well-executed 5-4-1 can score plenty more goals (and be better defensively) than a 3-4-3. In my idea of the Brazil lineup, the 3-man central defense acts almost as a 3-man defensive line, as the wingbacks would spend most of their time running forward. Since the 3-man midfield (likely Kaka, Ronaldinho and Gilberto) all operate best in central positions, the wingbacks would act somewhat like wingers and provide some much-needed width. So the formation is part 5-3-2 and part 3-5-2, if you know what I mean.

Kinda like the 4-5-1 formation Chelsea uses a lot, which very fluidly turns into a 4-3-3 when they break and counter.

[Jay]

Pitch your idea to the Brazilians, see if they like it.

I'll take a cut of your profits. ;)

[gyoza]

I'm pretty sure someone's already come up with that idea.

The thing about the Brazilian team is that everyone is so good that there are dozens of formations that would work with them, each exploiting a different strength of the team. :)

[NERD]

Good point. However, with the talent level they have, I'd rather have Brazil off for the kill mode... Hell, if such thing was possible, I would put them on a 10-0-0 formation and see how they do... :D I would put a more defense-oriented player than Ronaldinho in midfield and let him run free as a striker though.

[gyoza]

Haha, the Brazilian coach has already said he won't be able to accomodate Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka and Adriano in the same team, and at the most have 4 of them on the field at the same time. Having 5 forwards/strikers would be bad because either you wouldn't have enough defenders, or you'd have no midfield, no quick passing game Brazil is famous for, and lots of long balls from the defence to the attack :)

[Vic_Rattlehead]

So uh, Vic is being a bit Euro-centric in his prediction? Can't blame him for being a Brit, I suppose....


Haha, I didnt even realise that! But yeah, coincidence!

Oh and I'm a RED!

I only live around the corner from Everton's ground though.
http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/spitonyourgaff3/HPIM3234_2x3.jpg