World Cup Germany 2006: Round 1 Tables

[emperor]

Round 1: Japan Vs Brazil ... uh-oh spagettios!
(..Oz & Urugauy will probably be difficult too..)

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

[emperor]

http://www.fifa.com/en/comp/index/0,2442,112176,00.html?comp=CWC&year=2005&articleid=112176

From Costa Rica, England, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, they have come from the far corners of the globe. FIFA.com spoke to players and coaches from all six teams competing at the FIFA Club World Championship to get their impressions of the host nation. We asked how they viewed Japan.

Didi Hamann (Liverpool midfielder, German)
My first experience of Japan was when I went over there with Bayern Munich's team for a few weeks, which was great, but my best memories of the country came at the 2002 World Cup. We had a fantastic time, the hospitality was great and we felt welcome from day one. We had our base in Miyazaki and we felt really at home.

Hernan Medford (Deportivo Saprissa coach, Costa Rican)
Was lucky enough to be in Japan for the World Cup and I like the culture. But I cannot speak a word of Japanese so we'll have to get by in English.

Gilberto (Al Ahly midfielder, Angolan)
Very progressive country. I was hoping to face a Japanese team because I couldn't play in the friendly game between my country and Japan last month due to injury.

Cicinho (Sao Paulo defender, Brazilian)
A country of nice eletronics and modern technology.

Kimimasa Mayama
Pierre Littbarski (Sydney coach, German)
Respect.

Emad Motab (Al Ahly forward, Egyptian)
They help poor countries and are a very advanced nation.

Hamad Montashari (Al Ittihad defender, Saudi Arabian)
It's my first time. I was injured for the World Cup but it's an honour to be here. They're famous for technology but so far I've found the people warm

Sami Hyypia (Liverpool defender, Finnish)
Never been to Japan and really looking forward to it. To be honest, I am not too sure what to expect, but my team-mates have told me that it is a great place to visit.

Christian Bolanos (Deportivo Saprissa midfielder, Costa Rican)
Was there with the U-23 side, and found their culture very nice. The people are completely different to Latinos, and also very well educated and civilised.

Junior (Sao Paulo defender, Brazilian)
Very organized and intelligent country.

Dwight Yorke (Sydney forward, Tobagan)
Fantastic place with fanatical football fans.

Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly midfielder, Egyptian)
They manufacture Toyota.

Djibril Cisse (Liverpool forward, French)
Really nice country and really like Japanese people.

Steve Corica (Sydney midfielder, Australian)
Hiroshima where I played for two years.

Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo goalkeeper, Brazilian)
Very honest, dedicated and determined people.

just as well these guys are paid ridiculous sums of money to play footy and not to think...

[emperor]

How did they get to Germany: Through two group stages. They finished top of their final qualifying group, but on the way scraped lucky last-minute wins over Oman and North Korea.

Qualifying star: The centre-half pairing of Gamba Osaka's Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Yuji Nakazawa was solid throughout.

Manager: The public called for Zico's head during an uninspiring qualification campaign. The Brazilian benefited from those fortunate late victories and is also lucky to be employed by an association who probably couldn't bring themselves to fire the football legend.

Captain: Centre-back Miyamoto is an elegant player, excellent reader of the game and, according to his squealing fan club at national team games, ravishingly handsome to boot.

World Cup pedigree: They qualified for the first time in 1998 and then as hosts in 2002. In 1998 they lost all three group matches but in 2002 they went out to Turkey in the second round. There are definite signs of progress.

World Cup high: Beating Russia 1-0 in the group stages last time. The Russians were rubbish, but the win still gave Japan confidence that they could play with the big boys.

World Cup low: Losing 1-0 to Turkey in 2002. French coach Philippe Troussier lost his marbles and dropped strike duo Takayuki Suzuki and Atsushi Yanagisawa. Akinori Nishizawa - who had not played in the tournament - was chosen as a replacement because it was his birthday, if you believe the rumours.

World Cup legend: The coach is the closest Japan has to the accolade.

Present star man: Feyenoord's Shinji Ono is the best all-round player and one of their few born leaders. But Bolton's Hidetoshi Nakata remains the star attraction - the Premier League hasn't seen the best of him yet.

Strengths: The Nakata-Shunsuke Nakamura-Junichi Inamoto triumvirate makes up Asia's best midfield. Throw a fit Ono into the mix and things begin to look rosy...

Weaknesses: ...until we get to the strikers. Zico usually plumps for Yanagisawa and Naohiro Takahara, AKA "Der Sushi Bomber" at Hamburg. Their respective club coaches usually don't.

Did you know: During France 1998, the stadium authorities were astonished to find the Japan fans' seating area cleaner after a game than before. On the final whistle, the supporters had picked up all the rubbish they could find before depositing it in the bins by the exit.

World ranking: 15

Odds: 150/1

Local view: "They've not really improved since Troussier's reign. Japan's chances depend on strikers Takahara and Yanagisawa weighing in with the goals. If the draw's kind, put your money on a dramatic qualification from the group stages and a gallant loss in the second round. That should satisfy the Japanese." James Mulligan, Japan Times.

Our verdict: There is plenty of talent but they will need more than that if they are to progress past the opening round. Unlikely to figure much in the knockout stages.

[Greji]

How did they get to Germany:

That's not a bad question in itself.

The TV and sports shows last night and this morning, with their "guest football experts" (?) were predicting Japan would breeze through the first two matches in the F slot with the Aussies and Croats, it would all depend if they could execute "JJJJ-iko Japan's" special stratagies (wtf) as to whether or not they would beat Brazil and advance. They also speculated that even if Japan lost to Brazil, Brazil has a tendancy to be upset, so Japan would still have a good chance to advance!

Well, I glad it's all over, I would hate to have to wait until the games started in Germany to find out. BTW, no body mentioned the fact that the Jiko Japan side is so bad they are lucky to even be there in the first place.

Now would you pleased accuse me while I go to the head

[Mulboyne]

Japan has drawn the top seed, the most awkward from the "Africa/mixed bag" group - Australia may have only just sneaked through to this cup but if Japan thinks they'll be easy meat then they'll come a cropper just as they did when the Australians beat them in the Olympic baseball. Croatia are probably the most physical side from the "European" group. I think this draw is about as difficult as it gets.

[Greji]

Japan has drawn the top seed, the most awkward from the "Africa/mixed bag" group - Australia may have only just sneaked through to this cup but if Japan thinks they'll be easy meat then they'll come a cropper just as they did when the Australians beat them in the Olympic baseball. Croatia are probably the most physical side from the "European" group. I think this draw is about as difficult as it gets.

I think they may well be headed for 0-3 on the bad side 1-1-1 on the good and most likely, 0-2-1! Call the ties for the spread! This has to be your bet Mulboyne because, as you know, gambling so sickens me!
(sound of flushing in the background)

[Greener]

Brazil may be fielding the greatest lineup to ever step on a World Cup field this year - on paper. I'm going out on a limb and picking Japan to get to the Semi's this year.

While they won't win it all this year, mark my words. In 8 years USA will be World Cup Champions. They have a great all around team and by 2014 Freddie Adu will be the biggest star in the sport. Don't underestimate the Americans because they will kick your ass if you do as 2002 proved.

[Greji]

Brazil may be fielding the greatest lineup to ever step on a World Cup field this year - on paper. I'm going out on a limb and picking Japan to get to the Semi's this year.

Lay that lie down, I'll fade it!

[kamome]

Brazil may be fielding the greatest lineup to ever step on a World Cup field this year - on paper. I'm going out on a limb and picking Japan to get to the Semi's this year.

While they won't win it all this year, mark my words. In 8 years USA will be World Cup Champions. They have a great all around team and by 2014 Freddie Adu will be the biggest star in the sport. Don't underestimate the Americans because they will kick your ass if you do as 2002 proved.

For those people from European countries on this board who follow soccer closely, does anyone know what the conventional wisdom on the US's chances are this year? Are they a better team than in the last World Cup? And even if they are better, do they have any chance of getting out of round one with Italy in their group?

[emperor]

[Papa-Lazarou]

Where does Takahara play these days?

I remember him flopping at Boca Jr's with great fondness

[Greener]

Brazil may be fielding the greatest lineup to ever step on a World Cup field this year - on paper. I'm going out on a limb and picking Japan to get to the Semi's this year.

While they won't win it all this year, mark my words. In 8 years USA will be World Cup Champions. They have a great all around team and by 2014 Freddie Adu will be the biggest star in the sport. Don't underestimate the Americans because they will kick your ass if you do as 2002 proved.

For those people from European countries on this board who follow soccer closely, does anyone know what the conventional wisdom on the US's chances are this year? Are they a better team than in the last World Cup? And even if they are better, do they have any chance of getting out of round one with Italy in their group?

Nobody takes the Americans seriously. This dispite a performance in 2002 that mopped the floor with much of Europe's WC showings that year.

They may not beat Italy in the first round but will cruise past the rest of their group. After that, I really like their chances against any country except Brazil or France.

In fact, I will really go out on a limb and say the US will destroy England if they face each other. This is based on England's contant chokejobs over the last decade. (This team is long on names but very short on heart.)

[kamome]

Out of pride, I should add that Bruce Arena was the soccer coach at my university (University of Virginia) before he took over the coaching job for the US national team. While he coached at my school, they won something like 5 national college championships.

[DjMitch_UK]

In fact, I will really go out on a limb and say the US will destroy England if they face each other. This is based on England's contant chokejobs over the last decade. (This team is long on names but very short on heart.)

England is seeded 2nd this time around so you never know. I still reckon we ain't gunna win shit for the very same reason. As for US destroying England i didn't think that much of them last time around. They got a lot of lucky breaks.

Hell I reckon me and my mates could destroy the U.S team anyday

Sweden haven't won against England in 37 years so I think we might have a good chance of OWNING the group

[Mulboyne]

Sweden haven't won against England in 37 years

Err...
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/03/England_vSweden_2004_MR.htm

[kurohinge1]

Sweden haven't won against England in 37 years

Err...
http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/03/England_vSweden_2004_MR.htm

Time really does fly - that seems like only last year.

[DjMitch_UK]

I sure did get my facts the wrong way around.

my bad

[Buraku]

Germany to ask NATO for surveillance aircraft for World Cup
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/sport/200601061747/4bdf57e

http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=3104

Germany Asks NATO Help During World Cup
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3567588.html