Group B preview

Group B is a strange beast. On the face of it Argentina are the clear favourites to qualify comfortably with any one of South Korea, Nigeria and Greece having a legitimate claim to grab second spot. The South Americans have a stable of attackers that are more talented than that of any other side in the tournament boasting four of the top goalscorers in European football last season in Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito and pick of the bunch Carlos Tevez – all that before considering two of the game’s hottest young properties in Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria, as well as one of the best midfield anchor men around in Javier Mascherano.

However, as you begin to delve a little deeper you will find one or two furrowed brows around. Coach Diego Maradona has picked just one recognised full back in his squad, found no place for Champions League winners Esteban Cambiasso or Javier Zanetti and will be relying on 35-year-old Juan Sebastien Veron to provide the ammunition for the wealth of attacking arsenal from the middle of the park. The traditional goalkeeping problem also continues to afflict them with the three 'keepers in the squad having just over a dozen caps between them.

What then of their opponents? The Asian challenge will be led by South Korea, who earned favour going out of the group stages in Germany. Skippered by Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung and with the impressive Lee Chung-Yong of Bolton lighting up the midfield, there is no questioning the Koreans’ technical ability or energy. The suspicion remains however that they remain lightweight and will struggle against the physically stronger Greeks and Nigerians and it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from – Middlesbrough fans will attest that the inclusion of Lee Dong-Gook in your side guarantees you almost anything except goals.

The Nigerians go into every tournament, be it the African Cup of Nations or World Cup promising much, yet delivering little and to be honest, that doesn’t look like changing this time around. Gone are the heady days of Okocha, Oliseh, Ikpeba and co treating us to thrilling 3-2 wins over Spain and are now replaced by an inconsistent side led by the potentially explosive Yakubu/Martins/Obinna strikeforce. Much will depend on how they perform and whether they’re able to score the goals needed to ensure qualification. They could well be having to feed off scraps with their best midfielder, Jon-Obi Mikel, missing, so it will be important for their full-backs, particularly Marseille’s Taye Taiwo, to play their part by getting forward and providing the frontmen with a decent supply line to feed upon.

All of which brings us to Euro 2004 champions Greece, who remain to date the only side in World Cup Finals history not to have scored a goal following their embarrassing performance in 1994. The squad is largely made up of players from the Greek league, with a smattering of players plying their trade abroad. With the respected and ancient Otto Rehnhagel still at the helm, Greece are expected to be well organised and very difficult to break down. Hero of their triumph in Portugal Angelos Charisteas remains a goal threat and is ably supported by former Portsmouth loan striker Theo Gekas, whilst Giorgios Karagounis provides the creativity from midfield. Another former Pompey man, Kostas Chalkias is likely to start in goal behind that well-drilled defence that will feature Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Their best chance of qualification will come from remaining tight defensively and looking to pinch a goal on the break or from a set piece.

Prediction:
I would expect Argentina, even a potentially rudderless one under Maradona’s confused leadership to qualify for the knockout stages with relative ease. If South Korea can beat Greece in their first game then I would back them to join the South Americans in the second round. If they don’t then I think they’ll find it difficult.

Each candidate to join Argentina have their merits and their weaknesses. From a purists point of view, I hope the Koreans can qualify, yet there is no doubt that the tournament as a whole would benefit from a sizable African representation in the next round should Nigeria qualify. Whether or not a Greek qualification would be a good thing is entirely down to whether you share Charles Hughes’ view of football. Personally, it’s not for me.

John Rogers