Group A
Laos
El Salvador
Austria
Sudan
Columbia
Northern Ireland
Summary: Laos is looking to defend their title this year, and at first glance, it doesn't seem like they'll have any difficulty at all in getting back to the playoffs. Laos is far and away the most talented and experienced team in the group. El Salvador, after a great showing 2 years ago, wasn't able to make it past France and Laos in their group last year. This year, El Salvador could be hurting even more, by losing some of the younger and talented players to the University Final timeframe and other issues. El Salvador will be hard-pressed to put together a team capable of beating a top team.
Austria has always been a fighter in the tournament, but never had the skills to overcome the best teams. They work hard and score some goals, but can't put together the total effort needed to win. If it's true that they're losing their keeper to Norway, it will be a huge blow to their team. Sudan is a newcomer, and it's always tough to judge how newcomers will do(ex. Afghanistan 2 years ago). Sudan will get acquainted very quickly with the close quarters and physical style of this tournament. They might be bringing some skilled players, but if you haven't played in this tournament before, you're in for some trouble. Columbia has always been like Austria...they'll make a team work for the win. You can't just show up. Northern Ireland has been a strong team in the past, but they seem to have slowed down. The thing is, if they're going to get back on track, this is the group to do it in.
Prediction: Laos should easily win the group, barring a stellar performance by El Salvador. El Salvador is the real wild card here. If they don't show up with a decent team, this group is wide open. Austria, Sudan, Columbia, and Northern Ireland can duke it out for the rest of the spots. If one of these 4 teams can dominate the other ones, they'll have a good shot at El Salvador for 2nd.
In finishing order: Laos, El Salvador, Columbia, Northern Ireland, Sudan, Austria
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27 comments:
I read your blog regularly but I find it comical the way you talk about ES .... Sure they lost two good players but has gained 5 more!!! No need to say that it won't be a contender when Laos has never bit them yet!!! Good day
I don't think Austria will finish last, I think Sudan will. But my prediction is Laos, El Salvador, Austris, Northern Ireland, Columbia, Sudan.
El Salvador was in a group with Germany, Norway and Jamaica last year. Lost to Norway 3-2
Canadian blog updated, new posts and full previews
http://wcpcanadablog.blogspot.com/
New posts in Canadian Blog, full previews
http://wcpcanadablog.blogspot.com/
Playmaker, who really cares about last year. You love to live in the past; thanks for the two bits of useless knowledge!
I think this group should be pretty straight forward the Laos v ES game will decide the group. ES may have lost a few good players but they still have enough talent that the other 4 teams wont be able to compete with them.
Every team is a contender & it depends how the other team is playing. sure ES lost against Norway but were they playing to their maximum capability is the question? Laos has lost against ES in the past so you cannot predict that they will beat them this time....wait until the heat start then we can talk!
Hey Playmaker...Norway barely beat Scotland last year...4-3...does that mean Scotland is on par with El Salvador? Stop talking garb about other teams...you guys aren't exactly unbeatable either!
Anon 10:40: Not exactly sure what you're asking. I never said Scotland was on par with ES and I definitely don't think so. I just take what the standings give me. We lost games last year so obviously we're not unbeatable. We definitely deserved to be in the playoffs though and ES and Scotland didn't - if that's what you were looking for.
Sorry fellas if you haven't noticed Playmaker lives in the past and has an issue with omission.
Playmaker has quoted years in the past, but has failed to mention that memorable year in 2009 when they didn't even make out it of the group due to a loss to a then lowly Poland.
But Playmaker already has his ticket stamped to the playoffs; a little premature for that isn't it?
Playmaker we don't need your knowledge of last year or your predictions. You don't even know who are on the teams. Wait till the teams show up then talk. For now, I'm sick of the trash and your opinion. Stop dissing teams.
For Simulations of the tournament go to http://www.youtube.com/user/WCPCUPSIMULATORS?feature=mhum .
For those wondering - I'm on Norway and I write the Norway blog which is linked to from this site. Mind you, if you don't want to know my opinions, probably don't visit it.
Austria vs northern ireland sim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoKchBx5nbg
ES vs Laos sim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQepijxx4xE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
playmaker = braden husdal
Update on Exhibition games:
N.Ireland has games booked for March 12th at 1:00pm (not sure who against), March 13th at 6pm vs Scotland and March 20th @ 3pm vs Ukraine
Don't bother visiting the Norway blog. Playmaker (Braden Husdal) deletes any comments that prove him wrong or show how foolish he is. All he does is pretend to know what's going on, yet as proven on his own blog he is lost. He has deleted a numerous amount of comments, especially one finally taking away the veil of anonymity to people bashing and posting as anonymous. Braden Husdal, Patrick Ince and Karl Dahle were shown to be the main culprits hiding behind the anonymous posts, but for his convenience Braden felt the need to delete that post as well.
STICK TO YOUR OWN BLOG PLAYMAKER!
Clock Cleaner your opinions stick.
Those comments didn't take away a veil of anything. The majority of people already knew I wrote the blog. The best part about "The Big Reveal" was that it was posted by an anonymous person. Talk about a hypocrite. Of course I'll delete blatant lies, especially when they're trying to damage innocent people's reputations. Standing up for justice - I think that should be the new motto for the Norway blog.
Preservation to remain relevant should be your new motto Playmaker. As after the post the amount of banter on your blog decreased dramatically. It's that a coincidence or a correlation to the fact that those anonymous posters fear being revealed. I am going to go with the latter of the two options.I did notice you delete alot of posts that had nothing to do with innocent people, but had to do to show how wrong you were? Still standing up for justice or scared to walk with your tail between your legs?
Playmaker doesn't understand that IP addresses leave a trail and that on any open site the IP address traveling in and out of the site leave a mark, even more so addresses that are posting.
That's how your innocent assailants and yourself were busted for your posts.
From: The Same person that went out of his way to expose Playmaker. Cheers mate.
Shut up Braden. No one cares. Take your merrimen of Justice League flamers and go spank each others hams.
Its funny How everyone on here is worrying about wtf playmaker is up to? Who cares, Let's talk about this group and whats going to happen here? N yes, Hypocrites Galore In here....Maybe the guy who pointed out Husdal, Should Point himself out...Just saying. Man up?
Austria is a terrible team, and Columbia is even worse. A Div 5 mens team could beat both.
I totally agree with your take on new teams like Sudan. Many of our players are new to the tournament and its going to be a learning curve for us. We are happy to represent the community and help encourage the young ones in the community pick up sports. That, however, doesn't mean we are just going to sit back and let teams 'feast' on us. We do have a few good players who have played in this tourney before and we look forward to entertaining the fans!
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