Nice Guys Finish Last, and so do Bad Teams

Everyone has a prediction which team is going to win the World Cup. Usually it is one of a handful of predictable powers. How hard is it to say Brazil is going to win? Not very.

Handicapping the tournament’s worst team, on the other hand, is a bit more of a challenge.

Who would have predicted that the US would finish dead last in 1998? Sure you might have bet that China, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia would not earn a point in 2002, but there’s no way you had money on France not scoring a goal and bowing out in the opening round.

The race towards the bottom is equally difficult to forecast this time. Trinidad and Tobago is the betting line favorite, but I think that the Soca Warriors will at least walk with a point against Paraguay and possibly a point against England.

Togo and Angola lack pedigree, experience and perhaps talent, but Togo’s got a real good shot at getting at least a point against Switzerland and Angola will pick up a point against either Iran or Mexico.

Costa Rica is my sentimental favorite because I know it is not a good team. The Ticos looked terrible at times in qualifying, but alas they play Ecuador in Group A and I see that one ending in a draw.

My choice for the team that will finish without a point is Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom will benefit from its experience of being held pointless in 2002 and will take futility to a new level. With a never ending coaching carousel ushering in a new coach just a few weeks ago, the Saudis are a team in turmoil and turmoil is one key to finishing last.

It won’t be easy for Saudi Arabia. Spain has a history of playing down to its competition. Ukraine could fold like a cheap tent and yield a tie. Tunisia is not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination and a fluke goal here or there could foil everything.

But at the end of the tournament Saudi Arabia will emerge pointless – a word that some would say aptly describes this whole prediction business as well.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter with the beautiful last place trophy that Saudi Arabia and others will be vying for.

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