Football world cup draw.

MethodX · 05-12-2009, 06:48 AM

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Group C
England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

There we are folks, all the groups.
Aus is in the group of death unfortunately.
Italy got an easy-ish group for once.

HTCURRY · 05-12-2009, 07:27 AM

easyish? Italy got a sweet group...They are group champs without doubt.

England were also handed a very easy group...

We got screwed....bloody Ghana(Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari), Serbia... and of course the Germans... No way do australia qualify, in fact I think at best we draw a match...the germans will beat us, as will the serbs. The Ghanaians were very good at the last WC, and I think better this time around..but im counting on them being complacent, and us getting a draw, realistically...we go out without a single point.

South Africa will also be the 1st host nation to not qualify...France and Mexico to go through....

RSgerry · 05-12-2009, 05:31 PM

we have a very tough group. however, if Australia is going to get better as a nation, we need the hard games. this has already been shown in our change from Oceania to Asia. however, i dont think qualification is impossible. looking forward to it.

oh, and hopefully Arsenal will win tonight.....

Windsor220 · 05-12-2009, 06:20 PM

Bring it on I say. Did anyone give Australia a hope in the last WC?

**FTE217** · 05-12-2009, 06:28 PM

Well it isn't an easy group but what the heck we are there, many other countries who didn't qualify would glady take our place.
German game well I can't expect the impossible but I back us to put up a great fight v's the others, as long as they do us proud thats all we can ask.
I'm just glad we are in the biggest stage in world sport period !

My wifes Portugese family are already admitting defeat having Brazil in their group so as for the "group of death" comment the same goes for other countries thoughts.

I still reckon the Poms will do it tough haha

My family Italian blood says its a no brainer but you don't count your chickens till they've hatched !
As with the Italians imagine the outcry from the Argies if they don't make it, they can count themselves lucky with their draw as well.

Can't wait !

HTCURRY · 05-12-2009, 08:06 PM

Bluedriver...in complete agreement, regarding the fact we have to appreciate the fact football is behind Cricket, AFL, League and Union in terms of national respect....I know the junior level participation is out of this world...but how many truly consider the football team to be national icons at this point?

Despite this..we have made it to 2 WCs on the bounce and this time around from not a mickey mouse region...but Asia, where they love football.

I am just a bit disappointed, you get one chance every 4 years...and of course australia arent going to win the WC...but to be placed in the what is without doubt the toughest group is simply unlucky.

Brazil...Portugal...Ivory Coast isnt the group of death...North Korea in that group are easy beats...

who is the easy beat is Australias group? No one...speaking objectively we might be the weakest team in the group...but our results over the past couple of years show...we are no easy beats.

The poms will be fine...it all depends who they meet in the knock out rounds...as it stands, if they win their group...they face the 2nd placed team from our group....hehehehe

so its a real lottery.

Archilino · 05-12-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTCURRY

The poms will be fine...it all depends who they meet in the knock out rounds...as it stands, if they win their group...they face the 2nd placed team from our group....hehehehe.

Exacly, if the aussies finish runners-up in the group behind the germans who should win the group they would play england in the knock-out round of 16.
Imagine the hype if that happens, gerrard rooney ferdinand vs cahil emmerton and kewell. Would have to be the single biggest sporting contest between the two sides in a long long time.

MethodX · 05-12-2009, 10:14 PM

Aus should get Hiddink back, offer him whatever he wants.

Windsor220 · 05-12-2009, 10:16 PM

Just noticed something, have New Zealand ever been in a World Cup?

MethodX · 05-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Just noticed something, have New Zealand ever been in a World Cup?

yes in 1982 in spain.
They were in a group with Scotland, Brazil and the USSR.
lost all their games but scored some goals.

rodderz · 05-12-2009, 10:44 PM

What sort of times will the matches be played there and what the time difference to here?

RSgerry · 05-12-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

What sort of times will the matches be played there and what the time difference to here?

not sure of the time difference between South Africa and here, but at a guess, probably eight hours to Perth. actually...it will be 7 hours to Perth as it is their summer and another two to the east. looks like some late nights.

HTCURRY · 05-12-2009, 11:52 PM

time diff on the east coast is something like 8 hours...but come June...with DST..it might be 7?

anyways here is a complete list of all the fixtures...

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

The times listed above are local times(RSA), if you click on the little clock..it will switch to our time...

Australia

13 June Vs Germany

19 June Vs Ghana

23 June Vs Serbia

Hords · 06-12-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluedriver

My wifes Portugese family are already admitting defeat having Brazil in their group so as for the "group of death" comment the same goes for other countries thoughts.

I think Portugal should account for Ivory Coast and even easier, N Korea. Bit early to give up.

HTCURRY · 06-12-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hords

I think Portugal should account for Ivory Coast and even easier, N Korea. Bit early to give up.

Portugal were terrible in qualifying...they have the same problem this time around that they had last time...they dont have a Striker!

Dont say Cristiano Ronaldo...he has scored 2 goals in 2 years for his country...they really arent that prolific going forward...and I think ppl will be very surprised by how good Ivory Coast is...they are quite possibly the best african country..with Ghana running them close.

The wildcard is...both these teams love a good dive..WC of swimming..FINA instead of FIFA....

watch drogba and ronaldo get shot down by snipers at least 10 times a match..and then have miracles performed on them multiple times...

Jesus turning water into wine is considered a big deal? pffffffffft...what about bullet wounds/broken backs/twisted kneed being fixed the on field physios and their "Holy Spray"

why is it so far away....

rodderz · 06-12-2009, 12:58 AM

I hope at this world cup they make a stand and stamp out unnecessary dives/fake injuries. Nothing worse than seeing it and imo destroys the integrity of the game. Be tough on everyone equally as long as it is consistant.

Trendseeker · 06-12-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

I hope at this world cup they make a stand and stamp out unnecessary dives/fake injuries. Nothing worse than seeing it and imo destroys the integrity of the game. Be tough on everyone equally as long as it is consistant.

I agree. There should be a mandatory minimum break of 5 minutes off the field for anyone carried off on the stretcher.

DJR David · 06-12-2009, 08:04 AM

No point in getting Hiddink back, as he failed to make to WC this year with the Russians.!!!

Germany have made the same mistake as they made just outisde Stalingrad on summers day a long tijme ago.... "This will be any easy victory" and how well did that turn out??

We might actualy beat the Germans, you never know. Serbia had a great qualified run in 06 as well, then lost everygame, and Ghana, well they can by brilliant or pathetic depending on their mood.

We can of course get through, then to beat the poms, can you imagine!?!!?!?!!

Racecraft · 06-12-2009, 11:17 AM

It is a good group for us, very hard but a 'level group' going by the rankings
Germany 6th
Serbia 20th
Us 21st
Ghana 37th

I'd rather go to the cup and lose all 3 group matches to respected opposition than fall into a group and lose to a patsy team.

I think a win & draw with goal difference will be the key to playing Last 16 football

gtxb67 · 06-12-2009, 02:06 PM

i will be watching game 14 against north korea, 20 against ivory coast and 25 against portugal
hopefully after that i will be watching 4 more games

zdcol71 · 07-12-2009, 10:27 AM

It can't come quick enough for me.
Don't write us off so quickly, 4 years ago we were drawn with Brazil! Going on to the next round with undeniably everybodies perpetual favourites, only to be halted from going further by one moment of infamy that still casts a cloud over Aussie- Italian relations....
We have played, and beaten, many of the worlds power house football nations and should not be fearful of any in this group (or beyond)
Bring it on!!

**FTE217** · 07-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hords

I think Portugal should account for Ivory Coast and even easier, N Korea. Bit early to give up.

Well not giving up but as HTCURRY mentions they are playing like dogs and Ronaldo can't save them as he did for Manu so many times, also as he mentioned Ivory Coast are no walk over at all, skillful talented team and will handle the atmosphere far more.

I agree comments about the reffing, I hope FIFA lay down the law far more re dive's,wasted time etc....these play makers need to be taught to respect the game again.

Love to play the Poms ?!

V3RSAC3 · 07-12-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTCURRY

easyish? Italy got a sweet group...They are group champs without doubt.

England were also handed a very easy group...

We got screwed....bloody Ghana(Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari), Serbia... and of course the Germans... No way do australia qualify, in fact I think at best we draw a match...the germans will beat us, as will the serbs. The Ghanaians were very good at the last WC, and I think better this time around..but im counting on them being complacent, and us getting a draw, realistically...we go out without a single point.

South Africa will also be the 1st host nation to not qualify...France and Mexico to go through....

Totally agree 100% ...

Aus, and Italy both have my support. But if they come agianst each other agian. Aus will once agian have my support. Will be fenatic if we get further this year. But our group is very very good!

FordACE · 08-12-2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V3RSAC3

Totally agree 100% ...

Aus, and Italy both have my support. But if they come agianst each other agian. Aus will once agian have my support. Will be fenatic if we get further this year. But our group is very very good!

yeah Forza italia and go aussie go. Both have my support as well. However, if they had to go head to head, I would probably have to sway toward Italy. Italian blood runs thick in me.

V3RSAC3 · 08-12-2009, 12:26 PM

Yeah, I'm Italian proud also, but it's the fact that Italy did it last year, and How good will it feel having AUS win? ... I'd be off my nut!

**FTE217** · 08-12-2009, 12:34 PM

haha you acdc's, I too have the same blood through my skin but I was born here,live here so its the Socceroos for me !
Always backed the Azzuri whilst we never made it ,if/when we get knocked out then I'll jump onto my blood line but my heart is with MY country Australia.

Mark351 · 08-12-2009, 01:38 PM

What's the point of being in a world cup if you don't go into with a mindset that you can beat the Germany's, etc.

FordACE · 08-12-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluedriver

haha you acdc's, I too have the same blood through my skin but I was born here,live here so its the Socceroos for me !
Always backed the Azzuri whilst we never made it ,if/when we get knocked out then I'll jump onto my blood line but my heart is with MY country Australia.

It's only for soccer that I feel this way. Everything else is Australia all the way. I grew up as a young boy watching soccer with my grandfather. He backed the Italians, so unfortunately since Australia hasn't been a big soccer nation it's been Italy for me. I can't change that. It'd be like me telling you to go back Holden :P lol

Barra 290 · 12-12-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

Aus should get Hiddink back, offer him whatever he wants.

I agree with you they seemed to play a more solid type of game with him at the helm.I think our group is no harder than the 2006 group but we are not playing the same brand of football and i think we will be exposed and no Viduka to draw the defenders to give Cahill space.

**FTE217** · 12-12-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barra 290

I agree with you they seemed to play a more solid type of game with him at the helm.I think our group is no harder than the 2006 group but we are not playing the same brand of football and i think we will be exposed and no Viduka to draw the defenders to give Cahill space.

This is a very good point, amongst my football mates we discuss just this....
OK Viduka is gone but we don't have a big point man up front to hold and unload, or importantly turn the defence and BANG !
Cahill will be wasted up front alone, Kennedy only has a head can't run for peanuts and hardly the skill. Maybe should try Bresiano up front as the mark ?! He's got the grunt,will have a go and can unload.
We are always lacking in the forwards hence the defensive game plan and count on counter attack goals.