Group F preview

Group F
Italy
New Zealand
Paraguay
Slovakia

Oh Italy, how I loathe you. It’s no secret that I hate Italy. Or more specifically, Italian soccer. (I’m looking at you, Daniele de Rossi and your flailing elbow to Brian McBride. Oh yeah, and the excessive, dramatic diving. Hate.) Anyways, the Italians are the defending World Cup champions. Although this tournament’s squad is not as young or strong as the 2006 edition, it still has the ability to make a decent run. This time around though, the age of the squad is more of a worry as there are concerns about being able to keep up with the speed of some of the younger players on opposing squads. Antonio Di Natale has the potential to make some waves after leading Serie A in goals with 29.

No one expects much from New Zealand. This is only the team’s second World Cup appearance with the first coming in 1982, so it’s an accomplishment for them to even be here. The squad will come into South Africa with confidence though as they defeated fellow Cup participant Serbia, 1-0, in a riot-sparking friendly. Center back Ryan Nelsen (former DC United player!) is the leader of the team and the squad’s performance will be greatly influenced by his presence (he might miss a game or two for the birth of his first child).

Paraguay tied for second in South American qualification, tying with Chile and only a point back from Brazil. The team returns a solid core of players from the 2006 squad that failed to get past the group stage. The biggest name for Paraguay is Roque Santa Cruz, who made a big $$$ move to Manchester City last summer, but he had a rather crappy season and has been hampered by injury. Paraguay will turn to more than capable duo Nelson Haedo Valdez and Oscar Cardozo for goal production. The back line and goalkeeping are both solid.

Welcome to the World Cup, Slovakia! 2010 will be Slovakia’s first trip to the tournament as an independent nation (previous trips have been as Czechoslovakia). Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel suffered an ankle injury in a friendly win over Costa Rica, but he should be fit in time for the team’s opening game against New Zealand. Skrtel will help anchor the team’s stingy defense. Slovakia also has a potent offense, scoring 22 goals in 10 qualifying games. Stanislav Sestak was the team’s leading scorer through qualification.

The Soccer Wall’s picks to advance: Paraguay, Slovakia

Latest World Cup casualty: Nani

Portugal winger Nani is the latest player to be ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a bruised collar bone.  He will most likely be replaced by Rubin Amorim.  (I think I’d be petrified to play a friendly at this point if I was a coach.  I would insist on bubble wrapping all my players.)

A couple other injury updates:

Despite reports initially ruling him out, Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba has joined the team in South Africa.  He had surgery on his broken arm and it is currently casted, but coaches are hoping that he will be able to contribute at some point during the group stage. 

Dutch striker Arjen Robben’s hamstring injury is not as serious as first thought and he will remain on the Dutch squad.  It’s not yet clear how much he will be able to contribute come June 14.

As a quick note, teams are allowed to replace injured players up until 24 hours before their first game.