Advancing: SWEDEN and ENGLAND

SWEDEN should win this group and continue its modern-day domination of England for several simple reasons: they are better as a team, better-prepared, and extremely potent on both ends of the pitch. Forget Toni and Shevchenko. The best young Italian league striker of the ball might be Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will find no shortage of fellow attackers around him, notably tested Henrik Larsson to his left and firebrand Fredrik Ljungberg, Anders Svensson and Christian Wilhelmsson just behind. This five-headed goal predator is deadly and offers different attack angles, making the unit difficult to match up with. Defensive chores are handled efficiently and technically by Tobias Linderoth, who manages to also support three attackers ahead of him. A bit deeper is team captain Olof Mellberg, an outstanding stopper; center-half Petter Hansson, who is tall, smart and physical; and more-than-reliable Erik Edman and Teddy Lucic off the flanks. Goalkeeping duties belong to tall Andreas Isaksson, excellent on the line and with a “take charge” attitude in the box. This team is really my top darkhorse for the entire tournament because it has all the necessary elements to succeed, having scored a whopping 30 goals in qualification games and allowing only four. The only question is whether they can maintain that level of performance for seven matches. I don’t know, but do believe Lar Lagerback’s troops should have little or no problem coming out of this group.

ENGLAND What a shame this highly-vaunted side has so much talent and no leadership. The touts might hype them as legitimate threats to take it all in Berlin on July 9th, but as long as David Beckham wears the captain’s wristband and lame-duck Sven-Goran Eriksson manages the team, it won’t happen. If you doubt this, consider too that the team’s most valuable player, Wayne Rooney, remains a big question mark and also remember that Michael Owen’s recent return from metatarsal misery has not been one of top form. Factor in the fact that Rooney has never played on this stage before. Peter Crouch has the dubious task of “replacing” Rooney at the front with Owen, but much should not be made of the Liverpool striker’s recent hat-trick in a meaningless friendly at Old Trafford against hardly stellar opposition. That leads us to the midfield, where the “de facto” leader of the team, Frank Lampard, runs things. Consider as well the on-field lack of chemistry between Lampard and Steven Gerrard, arguably the most talented player on the team, and the ego-centric Beckham, perhaps the best crosser of the ball at set-pieces anywhere. Don’t forget hard-working Joe Cole in that group, assuming he is fit from a thigh injury and assuming that is who Sven wants there. One never knows what’s happening these days, between the coach’s comments and the incessant blather from the English media. In my humble opinion, this side would be in great shape if John Terry – maybe the best defender there is – were skipper and the no-nonsense disciplinarian who was driven away from 2010 consideration, “Big Phil” Scolari, was in charge. Enough dreaming. Back to the defense, Jamie Carragher might be the most importance piece (and leave him back, Sven, not at midfield!) because keeper Paul Robinson is W-E-A-K. Teams like Brasil will feast on him without some serious interference and clearing ahead. Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole (if healthy) are good of course, but neither infallible. Eriksson’s bench is deep, and may be the only reason they advance. England will admittedly be an interesting team to watch in any case — especially with Beckham’s ball-throwing tantrums, penalty kicks into the stratosphere, and justifiable deference to Lampard. Oh, and that confused “nervous Nellie” with the fake calm on the sideline: Eriksson.

PARAGUAY flies under the radar even though they are No. 3 in South America behind the big guns, and while maybe not as flamboyant after the retirement of their great keeper Jose Luis Chilavert, have the potential to advance. Whether the Uruguayan coach, Anibal Ruiz, can hold the Paraguayan unit together is doubtful in light of the fact he advocates more attacking, and yet has serious shortcomings in terms of mobility, size and decision-making in the back. Goalie Justo Villar has done a good job trying to replace Chilavert, but needs defensive help as fullbacks Jorge Martin Nunez, Carlos Bonet, and Denis Caniza all have problems. Roque Santa Cruz, familiar with German turf as a regular at Bayern Muenchen, leads the attack with playmaker Julio Dos Santos also a threat to score off the wing or up the middle. Carlos Paredes will navigate the midfield, but will need defensive support from his mates in the middle. Salvador Cabanas has also rounded into good form just in time. Popular 18 year old midfielder, Jose Montiel, hasn’t appeared up to the challenge of his first World Cup based on recent performances. Ruiz can hope to sneak up on the group and onward, but shouldn’t bet on it.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO would be well-advised to perhaps join Togo in Baden-Wuerttemberg and find a good beer garden because their debut at this Cup is expected to be painful and short. Although Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker has led his national team Oranje and Real Madrid in the past, he is no Guus Hiddink, nor does he have the cast on the pitch to spring any surprises. Dwight Yorke returned from his rocking chair, was promoted to captain, and went from striker to defender almost overnight. Stern John, who found enemy netting 12 times in qualifications, still ostensibly leads T&T’s offense, but midfielder Chris Birchall has looked impressive leading up to the Cup. The defense is tentative and keeper Kelvin Jack is anemic. Look for Beenhakker’s “Soca Warriors” to go quietly.

My guess is:

1st – England : 7
2nd – Sweden: 7
3rd – Paraguay: 3
4th – Ecuador: 0

Note: There’s a good chance of the outcome being 0-0 (England – Sweden)

Sweden – 1st
England – 2nd

Winner: England

Runner-Up: Sweden

Sweden will in two matches, and drop 3 points to England.

England 1st
Sweden 2nd
Paraguay 3rd
T+T 4th

Aplamer – if USA do get through i hope becks scores a couple to send you home :0)