The German soccer machine has reached a record seven World Cup final matches and now set their sights on lifting its fourth title since its first in 1954 and their last since Italy 1990. Boss Joachim Low has put together a side that allows him every opportunity for success by assembling a blend of veteran talent and youth with enough tactical skills to bring Die Mannschaft back to the finals in 2010. The SC Freiburg all-time leading scorer took over in 2006 and has already led his club to winning EURO 2008. The Germans have been dealt a series of blows. Injuries have so far ruled out captain Michael Ballack and four other players, severely restricting Low’s options in midfield for the tournament and robbing his team of its natural leader. Ballack of Chelsea fame would have made his 97th appearance for Die Mannschaft. However, the remaining squad is potent and is rounded out with fellow Bayern teammates Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, and Lukas Podolski, all of who has what it takes to acquire a fourth World Cup title for the Germans. The Germans demonstrated their goal scoring skills and resolve as they marched over Wales, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein, and then attacked the Russians, beating them at home and then handing the Reds their first-ever home defeat in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Even with their setbacks don’t count out Germany as the groups favorite.
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Ghana is defiantly this group’s sleeper. After reaching its first World Cup finals as the only African side to get out of the group stage at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the Black Star was the first to qualify for South Africa 2010 in their second straight World Cup appearance. Winners of four CAF African Cup of Nations titles, Ghana will no doubt be anxious to solidify themselves as the best squad of the continent, by bringing home a World Cup title. After taking over the reigns in 2008, Serbian boss, Milovan Rajevac will try to repeat the success he enjoyed with the Red Star Belgrade as well as perennial Serbian squad FK Borac, who he led to their first-ever European tournament qualification. Even though you may not recognize many of the Black Star players, they do have a field of solid international stars starting with Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and captain Stephen Appiah of Bologna. The duo will form a formidable engine room capable of creating opportunities for the side’s offensive firepower, while the England-based duo of John Mensah and John Paintsil anchor the backline in front of Wigan Athletic’s Richard Kingson between the pipes. The Black Stars made quick work of the first half of qualifying, but after being unbeaten in their first four matches, broke even with clubs Gabon and Libya and only earned the right to the World Cup via goal differential over the two teams.
Serbia come into it’s first ever World Cup as a fully independent nation. The side who was previously Yugoslavia until 2003, and then as the Serbia and Montenegro national football team until 2006, participated at nine FIFA World Cups between 1930 and 2002, and finished runners-up at the UEFA European Championship twice. The Beli Orlovi competed in their first independent international match on August 16 2006, winning 3-1 away to Czech Republic. They will now build on that experience and look to once again become a formidable and feared side. The White Eagles are led by 61-year old, Radi Antic. Antic brings a wealth of coaching experience having spent time coaching Zaragoza, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and giants — FC Barcelona. He has blended a fine squad of experienced veterans with talented youth. Much of Serbia’s success has been their suffocating defense, anchored by scrappy defender Nemanja Vidic. The Manchester United center back will be aided by Chelsea fullback Branislav Ivanovic and captain — Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic, all who are players capable of being table setters in the big games. The striking force will be led by duo Milan Jovanovic and Marko Pantelic at the point. The Beli Orlovi finished in first place in the European Group 7 for the first time in team history, finishing ahead of the heavy favorite France. This is defiantly a squad that has what it takes to advance deep into the tourney.
Australia’s recent move from the Oceanic Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation paid off with an easy qualification run to the 2010 World Cup. The Socceroos will now appear on the world stage for the second time with its second consecutive qualification. The team is under the direction of head coach Pim Verbeek who took over the helm at the end of 2007. Verbeek has assembled a top-notch squad with a solid defense as well as a stinging forward attack. They are led by Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who has become the centerpiece of the Australian strike force. He will be supported by Blackburn’s Brett Emerton, and Galatasaray’s Harry Kewell on the opposite flank. Blackburn mate Vince Grella and national Jason Culina will hold down the centerfield as central defender Lucas Neill and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who claimed a national record as the team maintained a clean sheet for seven consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifiers, demonstrate the Australians suffocating defense that conceded just four goals including a record run of seven matches, en route to South Africa. The Socceroos went unbeaten in eight matches in the final stage, finishing five points clear of second place. The lads from down under will be no cakewalk.
Despite a banged up squad the Germans are the odds on sixth overall to win the title in this year’s final, and is definitely one of two sides to make it out of the group D stage. They should breeze passed Australia and post a win over Ghana who is considered one of the few host continent squads that have a respectable chance of surviving to the second round of the tournament. Even after an impressive qualifying run, it is unlikely Serbia will advance from the group stage, but they could be fun to watch with winger Milan Jovanovic supplying the crosses for Europe’s tallest player Nikola Zigic. The Australians should not be underestimated, but will also have to be at their very best to come through a difficult Group D. It will be a battle behind Germany, with Serbia, Ghana and Australia all having a very good chance for the final transfer spot.
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