2010 World Cup Squad Previews

Paraguay World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Friday, 11 June 2010 13:13

Paraguay were impressive in the South American qualifying campaign, finishing just one point behind Brazil, and securing their place in South Africa with two games to spare. This will be Paraguay's fourth successive World Cup appearance, and they will be hoping to do better than 2006 when they went out at the group stage. Although not expected to make it to the later stages, the Paraguayans have the potential to score goals, and could surprise with their counter-attacking style.

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North Korea World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 10 June 2010 22:38

North Korea is a nation of secrecy, and the outside world knows little about the going's on in their insular state. The same applies to the nations football team, who will compete in their first World Cup finals since 1966. Could that be a good omen for England?

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South Korea World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Thursday, 10 June 2010 11:54

South Africa 2010 will be South Korea's seventh successive World Cup finals appearance. They were unbraten in qualifying, with four wins and four draws, and head into the tournament with confidence high. South Korea reached the semi-finals in 2002 when they were shared host with Japan. I don't expect them to go as far this time, but they could make a surprise push to the last 16.

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Denmark World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by James Beckett Wednesday, 09 June 2010 17:32

After missing out on the 2006 World Cup, the Denmark squad will return to the world's biggest footballing stage this summer, and coach Martin Olsen will be looking for his side to continue the excellent form they showed in qualifying. After been drawn in the same qualifying group as Portugal and Sweden, few would of expected the Danes to reach South Africa, but a series of impressive results, including victories in Portugal and Sweden, saw Denmark finish as group winners.

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Nigeria World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 09 June 2010 14:52

Nigeria reached the quarter-final stages of the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. However, after soaring to those heady heights, the Super Eagles had their wings clipped in 2002 and failed to climb out of their group. In 2006, they were grounded further and didn't even qualify. This time they're back, but I don't expect them to ruffle any feathers in South Africa. 

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France World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Dave Allan Tuesday, 08 June 2010 20:41

Most pundits are writing off the chances of France but it was the same in 2006 and that French squad came mighty close to landing their second World Cup.

True, they have lost their midfield triangle of Zidane, Vieira and Makele but much of the squad remains the same and despite their internal struggles they could still be a force to be reckoned with come the start of July.

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Slovakia World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by James Beckett Tuesday, 08 June 2010 19:26

Slovakia will be appearing in their first World Cup finals since becoming an independent nation, and if they can repeat their form in qualifying, they could just spring a surprise or two in South Africa. Slovakia managed to emerge as group winners from group which contained to Czech Republic and Poland, in one of the shock outcomes from the European qualifying section.

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Brazil World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 02 June 2010 10:01

Brazil are the only country to have appeared in every World Cup since its inception in 1930, and they have lifted the trophy a record five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. In every World Cup they are one of the favourites to win the tournament, and it is certainly no different this time. Only Spain are ranked above them in the world rankings, and there can be no argument that they are currently the best two teams in the world.

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Uruguay World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Monday, 31 May 2010 14:37

 Uruguay are by far the smallest nation in terms of population ever to have won the World Cup. And they've done it twice, in 1930 and 1950. With a population of less than four million, Uruguay have constantly punched above their weight in both South American and world football. To put their achievements into perspective, Argentina are the second smallest nation to have won a World Cup, and they have a population of 40 million.    

Anyway, Uruguay have qualified again but not with great style. They were the model of inconsistency, winning six, drawing six and losing six in the South American zone. The Sky Blues then needed a play-off against Costa Rica, and sneaked through 2-1 on aggregate, winning 1-0 away and scraping a 1-1 draw in Montevideo in the second leg.

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Ivory Coast World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Monday, 31 May 2010 11:17

 This will be Ivory Coast's second World Cup. They qualified in 2006 but were paired in a 'Group of Death' with Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia. They lost their first two games (to Argentina and the Netherlands) 2-1, and looked to be heading for three defeats when they found themselves 2-0 down to Serbia. However, they roared back to win 3-2 to finish third in the group.

They've not had much luck with the draw this time round, and will have to overcome Brazil and Portugal to advance to the knockout stages. North Korea are the other team in Group G. It's possible, and the key game will be when they meet Portugal.

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