So now every team has played one game in their Group what more do we know? What surprises have we seen so far and who have we changed our opinions about? Group by Group let me review.
Group A: The hosts did very well in their first game against potential group winners, Mexico. However I think this may be their highest point of the competition. Mexico on the other hand you sense that they were not up to full speed as yet and they will have to be for their next game against France.
Meanwhile France and Uruguay also got a draw and that probably benefits Uruguay more than France but with all four teams on a point each this group is still wide open.
Group B: Argentina did just enough against a tricky Nigerian side. The 'Albiceleste' didn't look like the winners of the competition I predict but you cannot argue with one game, one win. They will only gain pace as the competition hots up.
In the other game Greece looked like their country, broke! The South Koreans won 2-0 which puts them into the next game with Argentina with confidence and as group leaders....for now. As for Greece and Nigeria, the loser could very well be eliminated, and arrive home before their postcards!
Group C: The 'Big' game of the Group is over and finished with a 1-1 draw. England looked really sharp in the first five minutes going 1-0 up then sat back looking for the draw. England fans rejoice though as I have found stats!!! In 1966 England tied their first game and went on to win the whole thing. Also in 2006 the USA tied 1-1 with Italy in the group game and Italy went on to win the World Cup. The only difference was the Azzurri had Buffon in goal...we had a Baffoon!
Also a word of warning to the USA, after that game and celebrating a great draw you seemed to forget the other teams and lost both games and went home bottom of the group. Slovenia up next is a potential banana skin.
Algeria didn't disappoint by duly losing on their first game. Slovenia tops the group as we head into part two on Friday.
Group D: The first team to implode in this World Cup, Australia! So they played Germany and you expect to lose but in the opening game to lose 4-0, and Tim Cahill will not make qualifying easy, especially as your next game is against a tough Ghanaian side. Not commenting on Germany as I am English but I think their place in the last 16 is cemented even after just one game.
In the other game, Ghana beat Serbia with a penalty. Neither looked impressive but Ghana didn't look impressive with 3 points.
Group E: The surprise of this group so far is Japan. We know they are a good team but against Cameroon they kept a clean sheet and managed to steal the win. Their real test will come in the next game against other first game winners, Holland. The Dutch downed the Danes by a deuce! In the next game Denmark will face Cameroon, which has to be a must win for both nations.
Group F: After game one everything is still tight with each game ending in a 1-1 draw. Paraguay and New Zealand being the happiest of the four teams. Italy, the defending champions looked poor and out of ideas from the off. It is thought, however that the Italians may find their feet (and in a big way) against New Zealand who may have emptied their tank against Slovakia.
Group G: Ronaldo? Quiet in the first game. Although we did see two of his famous talents, a long hard shot that rattled the bar and the quadruple roll on the turf when an opponent breathes to hard on him. To be fair the Ivory Coast did well and need to be just as good or better in their next game against Brazil.
Brazil just managed to beat N.Korea 2-1 in a game that most expected to see Brazil win by multiple goals. However you not need to dominate qualifying, you just have to qualify and three points is a good start. Next up sees the Koreans take on Portugal and Brazil face off against the Ivory Coast.
Group H: Switzerland must be the happiest of the four teams after game one. They beat Spain with a somewhat scrappy goal through ex Manchester City player Gelson Fernandes. Scrappy goal or spectacular 40 yd shot, they all count and that would be the only goal as Spain start their challenge with a loss. It will hard to see them not qualify though with Honduras next up. Switzerland will face other game one winners, Chile. You have to feel Switzerland will go into the final game leading the group.
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