Speacial Edition: World Cup Preview: Group C and D
Group C
Despite losing one of the best team players in Rio Ferdinand England still looks like the team to beat in the group. Wayne Rooney(10) will get some help from Steven Gerrard which is much needed. The big matchup comes early against the USA. USA keeps getting better but needs Jozy Altidore to be fully healthy to work with Landon Donovan. To advance to the second round the U.S. needs underrated Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to play their full potential. After beating powerhouse Russia to get to South Africa, Slovenia might need some luck to get to the second round.Coach Matjaz Kek needs players like Robert Koren and Valter Birsa to score goals. But other teams will not score alot with Samir Handanovic in goal. Algeria is ready to win Group C. But the fact is, they really don't have a chance. Rabah Saadane's squad needs Nadir Belhadj to be highly effective, knowing he will miss the team's opener against Slovenia. Also missing games: goalie Faouzi Chaouchi and Mourad Meghni who will in fact miss the whole torunament. Advancing: England, United States
Group D
Germany has one of the greatest legacies in soccer. That should continue once more even with many injuries. They lost keepers Robert Enke and Rene Adler and hope 24 year old Manuel Neuer can replace both of them. Also gone is Michael Ballack. Germany will advance but beyond that is unknown. If you want a dark horse, try Ghana. Even with the loss of Michael Essien Ghana has AC Milan striker Dominic Adiyiah who is just 20 but will help them. With a weakened group Ghana could definitely advance. Serbia is also a dark horse. They have vital players healthy including Nemanja Vidic and 19 year old Nikola Zigic too lead them. With many holes filled Serbia's true problem will be getting Vladimir Stojkovic to play for his true potential. Problems are sprouting up for Australia. True, they have the group's best goalie in Mark Schwarzer. But, if you can't score you can't win. And the offense is struggling. Not any true star Australia needs Vince Grella to score more goals and become an offensive midfielder. Also to consider, Australia has a veteran defender in Lucas Neill that will help take some pressure from Schwarzer. Advancing: Germany, Ghana
Despite losing one of the best team players in Rio Ferdinand England still looks like the team to beat in the group. Wayne Rooney(10) will get some help from Steven Gerrard which is much needed. The big matchup comes early against the USA. USA keeps getting better but needs Jozy Altidore to be fully healthy to work with Landon Donovan. To advance to the second round the U.S. needs underrated Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to play their full potential. After beating powerhouse Russia to get to South Africa, Slovenia might need some luck to get to the second round.Coach Matjaz Kek needs players like Robert Koren and Valter Birsa to score goals. But other teams will not score alot with Samir Handanovic in goal. Algeria is ready to win Group C. But the fact is, they really don't have a chance. Rabah Saadane's squad needs Nadir Belhadj to be highly effective, knowing he will miss the team's opener against Slovenia. Also missing games: goalie Faouzi Chaouchi and Mourad Meghni who will in fact miss the whole torunament. Advancing: England, United States
Group D
Germany has one of the greatest legacies in soccer. That should continue once more even with many injuries. They lost keepers Robert Enke and Rene Adler and hope 24 year old Manuel Neuer can replace both of them. Also gone is Michael Ballack. Germany will advance but beyond that is unknown. If you want a dark horse, try Ghana. Even with the loss of Michael Essien Ghana has AC Milan striker Dominic Adiyiah who is just 20 but will help them. With a weakened group Ghana could definitely advance. Serbia is also a dark horse. They have vital players healthy including Nemanja Vidic and 19 year old Nikola Zigic too lead them. With many holes filled Serbia's true problem will be getting Vladimir Stojkovic to play for his true potential. Problems are sprouting up for Australia. True, they have the group's best goalie in Mark Schwarzer. But, if you can't score you can't win. And the offense is struggling. Not any true star Australia needs Vince Grella to score more goals and become an offensive midfielder. Also to consider, Australia has a veteran defender in Lucas Neill that will help take some pressure from Schwarzer. Advancing: Germany, Ghana
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