Indeed. FIFA always claims the groupings and scheduling are blind draws, but somehow the host country and other favored countries seem to quite comfortable groups and match schedules. You never see the host country in a GOD, for example, and they always seem to be the side that has extra rest days.
Maybe its because the host gets a seed, Goup A, and also the opening game. The first reduces the chances of a GOD (whatever that means these days) and the second and third guarantees at least one extra rest day.
I don't see why being a seeded team reduces the risk of a GOD, and what are the odds that Brazil is the only country out of 32 that gets two extra rest days? Can't be very high. I should add that I understand why the host country would get favorable treatment, and it doesn't bother me all that much. I just wish they would dispense with the charade.
On the rest days playing the opening game pretty much guarantees a days extra rest when you play your second group game. Being in group A means you get to play your group games first so the chances of a rest day in the knockout rounds are also increased as you play against teams from groups who play later in the tournament than you. Brazil isn't a typical seed, and as everyone expects them to qualify regardless no one thinks of their groups as groups of death (except for the other three teams who are playing for one spot). Hosts like South Africa, Korea, Japan, Russia, Qatar etc will benefit from seeding as its unlikely they would be seeded in the first place. Their groups wiull comparatively be weaker, and its unlikely that any team rated a chance of winning will be knocked out in their respecrtive groups.
I'm not talking about extra rest days in the knockouts. I'm talking about extra rest days in group play, and the only team that has that for two matches is Brazil. Hard to believe it's just a coincidence. Croatia, the other team in the opening match, actually loses a rest day for their 3rd match, so they end up with a net of zero.
Yes, they probably could have structured the draw differently to remove the second day of extra rest.
It's hard to compare these two groups as there is no North Korea which display the true lunacy of the system which treats all groups as equal. It's times like this that I wish the knockout rounds still had room for 3rd place teams as they did back in '94.
We'll get something like that, I imagine, if they increase the size to 40 like it seems they are seriously considering. Will definitely appreciate that, as there are usually a handful of third place teams that would have been more deserving of a slot in the knockouts than teams advancing out of garbage groups. Teams like S. Africa, Ivory Coast, Switzerland, probably Slovenia could have gotten in via that system.
African teams were hardly thrashed by the opposition since last two world cup in there group stages. I think this time they have a better chances to came out with better performance.
Expectations were probably a little too high for African teams in 2010 and still Ghana made it to the semifinals (ok well they should have). This year nobody is expecting any of these teams to go anywhere but I think they could surprise some people. Algeria look very promising with a bunch of exciting young players but the others are capable of advancing as well.
There are various positives to draw from: - No last minute changes to the coach (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa), - No infighting (Cameroon, Nigeria), - Improving in the FAs (Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire) - No key injuries (Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire - re: Drogba's broken hand) - Positives signs of overall improvement from all the sides (Nigeria looked poor in preparation, but they are African champions) Add to that reasonable draws (save for Ghana) and why not? Hopefully CAF improve finally on their 1 team per cup.
It will be interesting to see. African soccer is very physically demanding so it will be interesting to see how they do in the heat and humidity of Brazil.
As I've maintained all along, Cameroon are complete garbage. Comparing them to Ghana (even when we are bad) is laughable.
Yeah they are. Totally disjointed play and half of their team isn't even getting up the field on the attack. I think Nigeria and Ivory Coast will play the same way. Ghana is once again, Africa's last hope.
Ivory Coast has always played good attacking soccer, no reason to think that would change. Their problem is their defence, and its a BIG problem.
Well this was the key 3 points that Ivory Coast needed. After seeing Greece earlier you have to think Ivory Coast has a good chance for 3 points there too ... and then they're through
Very likely, the Ivory Coast will make it to the knock out round, and quite clearly, Cameroon shouldn't.
ivory coast used their physical advantage against japan because japan was vulnerable. ivory coast has a weak defense. greece is one of the weakest teams so i wont be surprised, but i doubt ivory coast will get anything from colombia.
Cameroon are weak. Ivory Coast are now in an excellent position. Ghana's group is too tough. Not expecting great things from Nigeria
I have not but they from my limited info will not be the boring Algeria you have come to expect (more attacking and less of the ultra defensive style you have come to expect from North Africa at the WC). Slimani who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting) is a good striker.