Through 64 games in the ensuing 33 days, much pain, sweat and suffering will follow mixed with relief, joy and excitement after which will be declared the new champions of the World. Unlike an alcoholic, I'm not going to take it one day at a time or even 90 minutes at a time. Because I'm a soccerholic, I will give you my thinking on each group at a time over the next eight articles. For final predictions, let's just leave it a little closer to kick-off, if you don't mind. I will tell you how it's going to go, but you'll have to be patient. Let's get started then, with none other than Group A, and head back to the Stade de France for the opener.
Brazil will be many people's favourites, not only for this game but to emerge outright winners come July 12th when the world of soccer disappears into hibernation for another four years and can only begin to dream of Japan/Korea 2002. The difficulties for the current champions (ignoring the obvious 31 teams wanting to take the crown away from them) come in the guise of travelling to Europe — the World Cup tends to be "continent friendly" — and carrying the burden of expectations. After all, they are simply expected to win soccer games just by turning up. But most of us should know that it doesn't always go the way it's supposed to. Ask anyone in England to predict an FA Cup third-round tie irrespective of the opposition and you will get a belligerent grin before a bold prediction. There is a fine line between appropriate arrogance and inappropriate complacency and it is this line which the Brazilians must tread. They have the players, they have the coach who has been through it all before and then some, they have the mix of talent required, they are world-beaters. But will they beat the world?
Go To Page: 1 2
