World Cup Preview - Group F - The Also Rans
SlovakiaNickname: Repre (?)
FIFA ranking: 34th
Coach: Vladimír Weiss
Game Schedule:
June 15 – Slovakia vs. New Zealand (Rustenberg, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 20 – Slovakia vs. Paraguay (Bloemfontein, 7:30 a.m., ESPN)
June 24 – Slovakia vs. Italy (Jo'burg, 10 a.m., ESPN)
Prospects: Slovakia enter their first international tournament since splitting from the Czechs in 1992 after surprising everyone by winning a fairly decent qualifying group that featured Slovenia, Poland, Northern Ireland and the Czechs. Like a lot of Central European sides, they are a tight unit with a solid core of Premiership players. They'll need that sense of solidarity to get out of the group.
Key Player - Liverpool's Martin Skrtel anchors the defense.
Youngster to Watch - 22 year old Napoli midfielder Marek Hamšík.
Who Will Get the Goals - Bochum striker Stanislav Šesták was top scorer with six in qualifiers.
Who Will Get the Cards - West Brom clogger Marek Čech.
Prediction - They'll run Paraguay reasonably hard, but I see them finishing third in Group F.
New Zealand
Nickname: The All-Whites
FIFA ranking: 78th
Coach: Ricki Herbert
Game Schedule:
June 15 – New Zealand vs. Slovakia (Rustenberg, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 20 – New Zealand vs. Italy (Nelspruit, 10 a.m., ESPN)
June 24 – New Zealand vs. Paraguay (Polokwane, 10 a.m., ESPN2)
Prospects: Now that FIFA have allowed Australia to qualify out of the Asian confederation, we now face the prospect of two rubbish sides in the WC from Oceania. The All Whites enter SA 2010 with the second lowest FIFA ranking in the tournament and looking for their first points at a World Cup Final. Good luck next time.
Key Player - Blackburn plodder Ryan Nelson is the Kiwis most accomplished play. Yes.
Youngster to Watch - 18 year old WBA winger Chris Wood has just broken into the side.
Who Will Get the Goals - Boro striker Chris Killen - top scorer in qualifiers.
Who Will Get the Cards - Goalkeeper Mark Baston is apparently quite a character; he saved a penalty in Bahrain with his bum during qualifiers.
Prediction - Three and out and back to Mordor.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:41 PM
2 Comments:
I saw Slovakia play in a few qualifying matches. They did win their group, but I was not really impressed with them. Vladimir Weiss is a promising youngster, but the rest of the side is dull and predictable. Skrtel should pick up a card or two. I predict a third place finish with their only points coming against New Zealand.Rory Fallon and Chris Killen could chip in with a goal or two. I have heard about WBA youngster Chris Wood. I would be interested to see how he does if given an opportunity. Ryan Nelsen will be the key player as New Zealand's goal is to keep the score close. A point will be a major achievement for New Zealand.
Absolutely right, MUR. New Zealand are simply trying to get some points on the board. They don't have any realistic hope of getting out of the group.
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