Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul

World Cup Group A - can Domenech ruin the World class team of France

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Moeneeb Joseph (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Bryce Moon (PAOK, Greece), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel).

Midfielders: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia).

Strikers: Benni McCarthy (West Ham United, England), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland)

Comment: South Africa will have two main advantages in this group - the fans and the judges. The team is not world class, and despite their famous coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, it is their defense that will give them most headaches. The midfield and attack look OK, and if the judges are on their side, the host have the prerequisites to pass the group. But even if they are through, they will easily lose to any of the stronger teamsin the 1/8 finals.

 

MEXICO

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham)

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham)

Comment: Always underdogs, Mexico is one of the most experienced squads in the World Cups. The team does not posses fancy names such as Argentina and Brazil, but could be a match for them because of the team spirit. The defense line is more than solid with all the regulars playing in major European leagues. The midfield and attack are also pretty solid, so the team is the favourite to make it through here.

 

URUGUAY

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio/Italy), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Deportivo Cali/Colombia), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Diego Godin (Villarreal/Spain), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo/Chile), Jorge Fucile (Porto/Portugal), Martin Caceres (Juventus/Italy), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile/Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica/Portugal)

Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli/Italy), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm/Sweden), Diego Perez (Monaco/France), Alvaro Pereira (Porto/Portugal), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile/Chile), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate/Argentina), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia/Spain), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax/Netherlands)

Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield/Argentina), Luis Suarez (Ajax/Netherlands), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo/Brazil), Edinson Cavani (Palermo/Italy), Jorge Martinez (Catania/Italy)

Comment: Uruguay is also one of the teams that should not be underestimated in this world cup. The team posses quality in all lines. Lazio keeper Muslera is one of the most gifted players in his position. The defense is full of experienced in Europe players. The midfield is not as fancy and complete, but with Forlan and Suarez in attack this could be easily compensated. Under normal conditions, it should be Uruguay and Mexico to pass this group. The only setback is the team is too inexperienced in World Cup battles - it is full of youngsters.

 

FRANCE

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy(Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)

Comment: Despite all the quality this team posseses, there is one major setback in it. It is called Raymond Domenech. The players in all lines are top quality, but given the bad coach he can mess them all up. France will be a good team to bet against in this World Cup - and there will be juicy odds too.

About the Author

Bet Laden - Your Betting Guru

who will win the FMF soccer final cruz azul or toluca?

my team is chivas
but i want cruz azul to win this year but i wanna know what the ppl think.

My team...Cruz Azul...we got better players and are more offensive....besides all Toluca really is is defense and you cant win like that. Sabah is doin really good, Villaluz, Vela, LUGO, Beltran, Lozano...theyre all doing good and Toluca needs to watch out...Mancilla isn't Cardozo, his reign of goals are gonna stop.