So as I was saying before I interrupted myself hyping up the World Cup, I don't know much about soccer, so I won't pretend to. If only for your sake. I'm asking a local expert some questions. He goes by Tim Reyes and he's a genius. He should help me and my friends make plenty of money this time of year. For the record, I'm picking the Netherlands to win it all. We'll see how well that works out. (Note: it's unedited and I didn't feel like editing it. Sue me. Enjoy!)
Dave: Since South Africa is ranked 87th in the World Cup, do you think that they can continue the trend of making it through to the knockout round?
Tim: Don't think they can make it to the knockout stage, they only have one really good player, Steven Pienaar. They left one of their best forwards Benni McCarthy off the team. Not sure they would have qualified for the tournament if they weren't the host nation. They played alright in the confederations cup and their coach has won the World Cup before with Brazil when the USA hosted the tournament. I would say the best part about South Africa is saying "BOOOOOOOOOOTH" when their CB Matthew Booth touches the ball.
Dave: What type of impact do you suspect the USA will have on this World Cup?
Tim: It's expected of the USA to make it to at least the second round, they have the easiest draw they've ever had in any major tournament according to most people. Donovan, the US's best player proved that he can play in Europe (at Everton) and should be able to play well this tournament. He's also played against most of the players on England, he pretty much dominated England's starting left back Ashley Cole when Everton played Arsenal. Dempsey has also shown that he can play in big games, just look up his goal against Juventus in the Europa Cup (This goal knocked out Juventus). Just have to hope there are no stupid red cards and that the defense holds up. They've shown that on their day they can beat anyone, see Spain and First half of Brazil at the confederations cup.
Dave: Who are the favorites going into this World Cup?
Tim: Brazil and Spain have to be the favorites. As you can read in any article about Brazil they have changed their style with Dunga as their coach. They defend well now and probably have one of the most in form goalies in Julio Cesar. Fabiano has a pretty solid strike rate up front (25 gls in 35 games) for them and as long as Kaka is fully fit they have a strong midfield too. Even though they left Ronaldinho at home they still have a team of stars.
Spain is a favorite after actually winning a major tournament (Euro 2008), they have probably the strongest midfield in the tournament and can hold possesion of the ball for a crazy amount of time. Just look at this goal to see how well they can play.
Argentina could also be considered a favorite with Tevez, Messi, Aguero and Biguian to choose from. They probably have the best group of attackers in the tournament.
Dave: I'm personally picking the Netherlands to win the whole thing, am I a complete moron? Or still just a partial one? Don't be bashful.
Tim: Moron, Holland is probably grouped in there with Portugal and England (Spain would also be in this group if they didn't win Euro 2008) as a team that will choke in the later stages. In Euro 2008 they were dominating until they got beat by Arshavin and Russia. Their best player Arjen Robben is known as the Glassman and has already picked up an injury before the tournament started (He should play though). It is winter in South Africa about now but I don't think Robben will be able to wear his supertights. They will probably play well enough for you to think that they are going to win and then end up pulling a TMac and choking. Their defense is also not that strong with Gio Van Bronckhorst (35 years old) still starting for them, he can be exposed by players with pace.
Their strikers are not in form, Robin Van Persie has been injured a majority of this past season, Huntelaar i think won the golden bin for one of the worst players in the Italian Serie A. Dirk Kuyt isn't much of a goal scorer.
So there you go, enough information to keep you tuned into to the next month of World Cup action. The U.S. is worth watching this year, and you can expect me to make a bunch of crappy predictions. Just expect Spain and/or Brazil to be playing well into the knockout rounds. Everyone enjoy the tournament and don't blame me when this tournament is 10 times more exciting than you thought it would be!
Argentina could also be considered a favorite with Tevez, Messi, Aguero and Biguian to choose from. They probably have the best group of attackers in the tournament.
Dave: I'm personally picking the Netherlands to win the whole thing, am I a complete moron? Or still just a partial one? Don't be bashful.
Tim: Moron, Holland is probably grouped in there with Portugal and England (Spain would also be in this group if they didn't win Euro 2008) as a team that will choke in the later stages. In Euro 2008 they were dominating until they got beat by Arshavin and Russia. Their best player Arjen Robben is known as the Glassman and has already picked up an injury before the tournament started (He should play though). It is winter in South Africa about now but I don't think Robben will be able to wear his supertights. They will probably play well enough for you to think that they are going to win and then end up pulling a TMac and choking. Their defense is also not that strong with Gio Van Bronckhorst (35 years old) still starting for them, he can be exposed by players with pace.
So there you go, enough information to keep you tuned into to the next month of World Cup action. The U.S. is worth watching this year, and you can expect me to make a bunch of crappy predictions. Just expect Spain and/or Brazil to be playing well into the knockout rounds. Everyone enjoy the tournament and don't blame me when this tournament is 10 times more exciting than you thought it would be!
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