So, we're about halfway through the group stages, and we've seen some pretty good soccer.
Notes- Group A features Ireland rolling through once again, but yet to face another top contender in Canada. Group B has been the most exciting, with El Salvador, Germany, and Norway leading the way. Jamaica and Afghanistan are talented teams, but have yet to put it together to make that final leap. Expect the final games in this group to be very exciting. Group C, while not the most talented, has provided very good games to watch, some close matches and some very high-scoring. Group D has been a physical group, with teams like Austria, Greece, and France. France and Laos have owned the group so far, and there's been no real upsets or close games. This isn't the normal way for this tournament, so be prepared on the weekend for a couple surprises.
Predictions-
Group A
Ireland will be coming out of this group for sure, along with Canada. Botswana still has to play Canada, but Canada should be able to hold them off. Botswana is good, but not good enough to beat an experienced team like Canada. Ireland will be well-matched with Canada, as they play similar styles, but Ireland will be able to beat them. Ireland in first, Canada in second.
Group B
El Salvador is the top team in this group, but not by much. This group is the most wide open out of all of them. Norway has played very well so far, but haven't necessarily played a top team yet. They have yet to face the top teams in Germany and El Salvador. Jamaica hasn't shown anything so far, although they have skill. If they can get it together and win out, it will be very interesting to see what happens. I say El Salvador keeps it going, finishing in first, and that the Norway-Germany game next Monday decides the group, with Germany taking it to finish second. Every game in this group matters, and every point is crucial. It should be a race to the finish.
Group C
Poland has dominated so far, and will take the group. Second place is Nigeria's to lose. I don't think Nigeria will lose again, and will buckle down and play smart, so I give them second place over Portugal.
Group D
The group looked to be a race between Laos, Ukraine and France, but Laos might have squashed any hope Ukraine has of making it through with a convincing victory. The top spot will be a battle between France and Laos. Austria has yet to play Laos or Ukraine, and could potentially upset one of them. Ultimately, the group will go to France and Laos. Laos first, France in second.
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17 comments:
I would just like to say that the poll about which country has the best food is awesome. I voted for Ukraine cause i love perogies but italian and Greek is super awesome.
Agreed. Group B is the one to watch and has produced the most exiting soccer so far. Norway needs to be careful of Afganastan if they want a shot at getting out of the pool. After that they merely have to beat ES and Germany. Should be guaranteed.. Right? :-)
Group B has proven to be the best group! The remaining games will be sweet!
can't wait for laos vs france on saturday. that game is gonna be awesome! i think france will win though
the actual wcp cup website is so weak. honestly, can someone please make an official website that is worthy of this awesome tournament. it looks like a website made by a kid learning how to use html in gr. 10 computer science class.
from what ive seen so far, el salvador, ireland, france and laos are definately the top teams and one of them will win the tournament for sure.
I agree on the WCPcup website. The design is even tolerable (without the cheesy flashing "NEW" things every once in a while), but when you click on "tournament info" and it links to a 2008 page? If it doesn't look good it better at least be informative if that's the initial point of contact for people (that's the site linked on any media releases I'm guessing). Would be nice to see a good website built to help promote the tourney a little better and build some hype...
Botswana tied Canada tonight 2-2. This blog prediction could be wrong again. Who comes up with this stuff on here? Just because Canada is made up of mainly the Enter team from mens div. 1 doesn't mean they are good.
The reality is that Canada isn't very good. Tavis is wasted, as his performance last WCP with Scotland was a lot more spectacular then this year. I think Tavis should consider playing for a team more suited to his skills like El Salvador. Other than Tavis the only other guy that stands out is the big fella who plays upfront. Technically strong and does well, but far from fit.. yet he makes a huge difference for that squad.
The hyoe Canada gave themselves was too much and to be honest I expected more from all the comments I had read.
Agreed. There are PILES of skilled players playing in lower Divisions, they just can't commit to the time sometimes or they just don't know who to contact to get in a higher division team so they go play with friends.
Watching Canada play yesterday left me wondering what all the hype was about...
to the person who commented about lower player divisions can play up,i agree 25% but on the other hand your wrong because theres an extra player on the field, it makes a huge difference on the pitch.
People on previous posts on other parts of this blog talk about how div 1 and 2 mens is the only soccer worth watching in regina, and it's so stupid. Some guys that play div 3 or 4 like it because they play with buddies and have no time for all these upper divs and their mandatory practices etc. Some guys that play div 3 or 4 will take on those div 1 or 2 players any day as the WCP Tournament has shown. That Canada team aka Enter that won the Div 1/2 league sucks. They tied Botswana. What a joke of a league.
LOL...there's only probably 1 or 2 teams that play div1/2 indoor that actually has practices. Most people who play in that division usually just come for games. There are no "PILES" of skilled players in div 3 and 4, there's only a few. When I say skilled, I don't mean someone who can just "take on" or keep up with the upper division players, what I mean are players who can actually make a difference, where their presence is actually valuable. As for team Canada, they just haven't clicked together.
I dont understand why pretty much everyone who plays in the lower division have this clouded messed up view of the players in Div 1 or 2. I swear everyone is bitter because they got old and lost their skill. I would be mad to if i couldn't hack it anymore. Get over it!
Tavisto Nigeria they have those two little guys who can play like him and will entertain ppl and actually score goals or to Laos or ES, he has been played out if his comfortable place were he plays always, Canada is a flip and not making the playoffs
What did the "Tavisto" guy say??
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