A quick introduction to this and all future soccer posts:
Another one of my passions, in addition to environmental science, teaching, and traveling (which this blog is mostly about), is soccer. I freaking love it. I've played my entire life. When I'm not playing, I'm watching - or trying to.
It has been hard here in Saudi Arabia not having the appropriate TV channels or easily accessible, organized soccer I had back in D.C. Other than an occasional training session - if you can call it that - with a group of neighborhood Sudanese kids on a gravel field, I haven't been able to get my fix.
But I have some soccer to look forward to this summer. Can you guess what I'm talking about?
Yup. THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL.
I booked my flight, purchased a game ticket, and arranged accommodation with a friend in Sao Paulo. Because I'm currently living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I've sent my documents (including passport) to the Brazilian Embassy in Riyadh for the special World Cup visa. Fingers crossed that goes smoothly.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on the groups and my predictions on who will go through to the knockout round. Remember, the top two in each group advance.
In group A, we have hosts Brazil, lucky qualifiers Mexico, Croatia, and Cameroon. I think it's safe to say Brazil will go through in first place. But the second place team is a little tougher to pick. Mexico was LUCKY to qualify - I think they finish last. Any team that comes out of Europe doesn't exactly suck, especially when Belgium is in that group, and Cameroon boasts players from some top European clubs. I'm gonna go with Brazil and Croatia.
In group B, there is previous World Cup winner Spain, previous World Cup runner-up The Netherlands, Chile, and Australia. Spain and Holland SHOULD go through. But if Chile takes 3 points against Australia in their first game and leave enough gas in the tank to get at least one point from either Spain or Holland, and the Spain-Holland result is favorable, and depending on goal differential, we could see one of the previous World Cup finalists miss out on the second round. This isn't too farfetched of a scenario. But I'm gonna play it safe and stick with Spain and Holland advancing.
Group C brings to the table Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan. Colombia came in second place behind Argentina in South American qualifying. Not too shabby, even without having to face Brazil in qualification (the host automatically qualifies for the World Cup). Greece is a gritty team. Ivory Coast is talented. Japan's work rate is unmatched. This is a tough one. I'm gonna go with Colombia and Ivory Coast.
Sorry Costa Rica, but good luck in group D. Uruguay, if your ridiculously talented strikers perform well, then you will go through. England, since you are well-coached and strong down the center of the pitch, with a little bit of luck, you will go through. Italy is definitely going through. They want redemption after their poor showing at the last World Cup in South Africa, where they failed to advance past the group stage. My gut tells me it's England's time. They will join Italy in the second round.
Group E is decently straightforward. Ecuador and Honduras will give them problems, but I think France and Switzerland will move on. I'm going with the European sides again in this group.
Group F should be pretty straightforward as well. Argentina will go through. I'm really pulling for Iran, because they are my people, but I don't have high hopes. Nigeria, who have failed to impress in the final tournament since their runs in 1994 and 1998, stand little chance as well against the powerhouse from South America and UEFA Group G winners Bosnia and Herzegovina. Argentina and Bosnia go through.
Group G. Oh, group G. Us United States fans are going to be waiting AT LEAST another four years for some sort of World Cup success to brag about. What a group to draw. But if you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best (at any time), right? Anyway, this group could play out a lot like group B, with Ghana squeaking through to the second round if they can take 3 points from the Americans and at least one point from either Germany or Portugal. The Germany-Portugal result must also be favorable, which isn't too unlikely at all. I'm going with Germany and Portugal, but watch out for Ghana. Sorry U.S.A.
Finally, there is group H. Belgium will win the group. Hands down. This group winner is as easy to pick as the winner in group A. They really impressed in qualifying, winning their group with game(s) to spare. This generation of players is extremely talented and experienced in the top European leagues. Look for them to make a run in the knockout round too, although they could run into trouble early with group G containing the likes of Germany and Portugal (the top 2 teams in groups G and H face each other in the first knockout round). Algeria came out of Africa, which is no easy task, but barely got past Burkina Faso in the final round of qualifying. South Korea is another usual suspect from Asia with an incredible work rate. Russia won their qualifying group in Europe. Europe will send two more representatives to the next round, Belgium and Russia.
Those are my picks. Now to follow up with the Brazilian embassy in Riyadh.
UPDATE: I got my visa and I'm ready to go! Two more weeks!