Seth Efrica, Slovenia and North Korea please
yes, this seems the best possible draw, perhaps one giant in there though, (I'd like France) and then we hope to meet South Africa in the round of 16.Not France! That means the mighty Irish wouldn't be there...
Bring on El Diego and Argentina...
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Cheers DS - we got off on the wrong foot, so I'll use this opportunity to apologise for my outburst of a few days ago.
Back to the draw, to clarify a few things. South Africa ARE seeded. They are A1, that's been known for a long time. The other seeds are listed in my post above. We will have at least one European team in our group, possibly two (depending on which seeded team we draw). We also have 5/8 of a chance of having an African team in our group.
With this in mind, South Africa would be good to get as by far the weakest seed. They're also the weakest African country, and having them in our group would spare us potentially getting Ivory Coast/Cameroon/Nigeria/Ghana, which I think would be incredibly difficult opponents for us. That would mean we'd get one the teams from the 3 in that pot from either CONCACAF (USA, Mexico, Honduras), or from CONMEBOL (Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, assuming they'll finish the qualifying job). All of these would be tough, but Honduras would be just as inexperienced as us t this level, so would be the best option. Then if we get a middling European side (take your pick of Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Greece/Ukraine), we could be in a very reasonable group. But we'll need big luck in the draw for that. We could just as easily end up in a group with Brazil, The Netherlands and Ivory Coast.
Back to the draw, to clarify a few things. South Africa ARE seeded. They are A1, that's been known for a long time. The other seeds are listed in my post above. We will have at least one European team in our group, possibly two (depending on which seeded team we draw). We also have 5/8 of a chance of having an African team in our group.
With this in mind, South Africa would be good to get as by far the weakest seed. They're also the weakest African country, and having them in our group would spare us potentially getting Ivory Coast/Cameroon/Nigeria/Ghana, which I think would be incredibly difficult opponents for us. That would mean we'd get one the teams from the 3 in that pot from either CONCACAF (USA, Mexico, Honduras), or from CONMEBOL (Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, assuming they'll finish the qualifying job). All of these would be tough, but Honduras would be just as inexperienced as us t this level, so would be the best option. Then if we get a middling European side (take your pick of Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Greece/Ukraine), we could be in a very reasonable group. But we'll need big luck in the draw for that. We could just as easily end up in a group with Brazil, The Netherlands and Ivory Coast.
I am very far from being a conspiricy theorist, but where FIFA are involved, anything is possible....!!
With this in mind, it may be in FIFA's interest to try and keep the hosts, South Africa, in the tournement beyond the group stage, as there is nothing worse for them to have the host nation fans losing interest early. To do this FIFA may 'knobble' the draw to give South Africa the easiest possible chance of making the Round of 16.
If this is the case, my preditiction will be that Group A will have South Africa, Slovakia, New Zealand, Chile
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Mate, there's no conspiracy - insofar as this is actually widely known - but you've pretty much nailed it. It's common practice in football tournaments to seed hosts - this is not just what FIFA does, but what continental confederations do too for their championships (as a case in point, both Austria and Switzerland were seeded last year in EURO 2008).
The thinking is that it's important to give the hosts the best chance to stay in the tournament as long as they can to keep the locals interested in the tournament, and also to reward the host nation for the work they put in to organise the tournament.
This policy certainly played a big part in helping South Korea and Japan have successful cup runs in 2002, and USA in 1994.el grapadura2009-11-17 12:20:18
The thinking is that it's important to give the hosts the best chance to stay in the tournament as long as they can to keep the locals interested in the tournament, and also to reward the host nation for the work they put in to organise the tournament.
This policy certainly played a big part in helping South Korea and Japan have successful cup runs in 2002, and USA in 1994.el grapadura2009-11-17 12:20:18
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England
Australia
Slovakia/ Honduras
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England
Dream Group.
Australia
Slovakia/ Honduras
Maybe North Korea if it's possible. Only team ranked below NZ in the finals though they're Asian so unlikely.
Its no longer a problem.
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England
Australia
Slovakia/ Honduras
As already stated numerous times, we can't be in a group with Australia - unless Costa Rica qualify, which is looking very, very unlikely.
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England
Australia
Slovakia/ Honduras
As already stated numerous times, we can't be in a group with Australia - unless Costa Rica qualify, which is looking very, very unlikely.
Whatever, mate.
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Because they got a lucky goal in their last match, doesn't mean Slovakia are rubbish or that it sums up their campaign. Seen some of their other highlights and they've had some great goals / skill. Actually, they were unlucky a couple of times by scoring own goals. But yea - more chance against them than a lot of other teams I suppose. Denmark might not be too bad to get also.
1 own goal when they were up 2-0 with ten minutes to go
remember they lost twice to slovenia, another team on here people seem to have no trouble rubbishing
another quality win by slovakia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmU4n2QoilQ
mighty slovakia again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xDmp7KSNA0&feature=related
Mi-Sex2009-11-17 13:00:49
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Hamsik, Skrtel... Decent players! But still. Come on Costa Rica!
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.sorry my comp went nuts for a few seconds, i managed to post the same thing about 6 times....
NZ will beat Greece if they qualify and are drawn etc, greece are on another fast track to embarassment (E08)
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To be fair, Greece have played some good attacking football in the qualifying. Would rather see them in the WC than the pensioners club of Ukraine.
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Seth Efrica, Slovenia and North Korea please
This would be best however based on EG it seems that we won't get North Korea. Hopefully a weak African team (Algeria perhaps??). We could snatch a win off either SA or Algeria and maybe a point off Slovenia?
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Can anyone find the Full list of the A'B'C'D pots? Miles Davis read it out on Radio Sport, but cannot remember it.
All Aboard the Phoenix/ All Whites Bandwagon!!
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There's no full list because the qualifying hasn't been completed yet.
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Seth Efrica, Slovenia and North Korea please
This would be best however based on EG it seems that we won't get North Korea. Hopefully a weak African team (Algeria perhaps??). We could snatch a win off either SA or Algeria and maybe a point off Slovenia?
We couldn't get two African sides - only Europe can have two teams in one group.
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The more I think about it, the more I want Uruguay to win. They offer a lot more than Costa Rica to me and I can't see the CR players offering as much as Forlan, Lugano, Suarez etc.
Imagine if we were pool one in the opening game!!!!! Fifa wouldnt want that though I guess
Imagine if we were pool one in the opening game!!!!! Fifa wouldnt want that though I guess
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when you look at where are strengths are i.e aerial attack with our big lads...you would hope that we would get someone from Central America or Asia.
Most European teams would easily defend against us....
I personally would not mind Argentina....with madman Diego at the helm they could easily self destruct at this Cup.
Whoever we get the key will be preparation...if we base ourselfes in Europe in May and get 4 or 5 decent precup games against good teams then the lads will go into the Cup well prepared. that and keeping key players fit. Our depth is wafer thin. If Ryan Nelson stays fit for the campaign we have a show...
I would be happy with 3 games...one draw and two creditible losses and maybe scoring 2 or 3 goals.
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When are the second legs of the Euro qualifying ? This weekend ?
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When are the second legs of the Euro qualifying ? This weekend ?
Thursday Morning our time i think
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No exams that day, will be able to watch if they're at the right time.
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Take a look at this thread for more group seeding theory:
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South Africa -- Great Atmosphere "dare to dream of a win" 
Switzerland -- Friend is NZ Swiss and has lived in South Africa
Chile or Egypt( if they qualify)..
Prediction: 3 points
kiwiMalaysia422009-11-17 17:17:42
Switzerland -- Friend is NZ Swiss and has lived in South Africa
Chile or Egypt( if they qualify)..
Prediction: 3 points
kiwiMalaysia422009-11-17 17:17:42
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Spain Russia New Zealand Ghana, f**k that
All Aboard the Phoenix/ All Whites Bandwagon!!
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Will the World Cup draw be live on TV??
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
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Will the World Cup draw be live on TV??
probably Sky, possibly TVNZ given the recent hype
Bloody well hope so, the Draw is a thing of insane beauty in itself
Salmon swim upstream
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Why do people want to meet Spain, Brazil, etc?
I want this team to do as well as we possbly can. I'll be praying for SOuth Africa - I understand that as hosts they automatically qualify in the top 8 seeds who are distributed one to each group. So all of a sudden a top 8 game becomes one against a team in crisis and at pressure at home.
Let hope for WEAK teams people! Hopefully Aussie are in this list, imagining beating them in our first pool match
I want this team to do as well as we possbly can. I'll be praying for SOuth Africa - I understand that as hosts they automatically qualify in the top 8 seeds who are distributed one to each group. So all of a sudden a top 8 game becomes one against a team in crisis and at pressure at home.
Let hope for WEAK teams people! Hopefully Aussie are in this list, imagining beating them in our first pool match
Oh Wellington is wonderful. We got the wind, the rain and the phoenix. Oh Wellington is wonderful.
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South Africa would be the best.
All Aboard the Phoenix/ All Whites Bandwagon!!
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Pot 1 (seeded teams): Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain
Pot 2 (rest of UEFA): Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland
Pot 3 (AFC + OFC + CONCACAF): Australia, Honduras, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, USA
Pot 4 (CAF + rest of CONMEBOL): Cameroon, Chile, C�te d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Paraguay, Uruguay
Gutted. does this mean one from each pot goes in each group? Cos that means we can't get in the same group as Australia, we are in the same pot.
Pot 2 (rest of UEFA): Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland
Pot 3 (AFC + OFC + CONCACAF): Australia, Honduras, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, USA
Pot 4 (CAF + rest of CONMEBOL): Cameroon, Chile, C�te d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Paraguay, Uruguay
Gutted. does this mean one from each pot goes in each group? Cos that means we can't get in the same group as Australia, we are in the same pot.
Oh Wellington is wonderful. We got the wind, the rain and the phoenix. Oh Wellington is wonderful.
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I'd like to see my number one team play my number two team - New Zealand vs old Zealand/Netherlands.
Fuck this stupid game
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South Africa, Slovakia and Chile would e a dream result. These are the worst ranked teams from each pot. 27th, 29th and 30th.
Oh Wellington is wonderful. We got the wind, the rain and the phoenix. Oh Wellington is wonderful.
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And the worst would be Spain, Netherlands and Ivory Coast or one of the African teams ?
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I would take France considering their massive choke-ability.
I was eyeing up North Korea too but apparently not anymore..?
Honduras please!
Honduras please!
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South Africa, Slovakia and Chile would e a dream result. These are the worst ranked teams from each pot. 27th, 29th and 30th.
arent south africa ranked 85th?rojas, so special
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Those rankings are world cup rankings ie out of the 32 teams, which are provisional wth the final 32 not yet decided. What are their fifa rankings?
Oh Wellington is wonderful. We got the wind, the rain and the phoenix. Oh Wellington is wonderful.
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Because they got a lucky goal in their last match, doesn't mean Slovakia are rubbish or that it sums up their campaign. Seen some of their other highlights and they've had some great goals / skill. Actually, they were unlucky a couple of times by scoring own goals. But yea - more chance against them than a lot of other teams I suppose. Denmark might not be too bad to get also.
1 own goal when they were up 2-0 with ten minutes to go
remember they lost twice to slovenia, another team on here people seem to have no trouble rubbishing
another quality win by slovakia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmU4n2QoilQ
mighty slovakia again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xDmp7KSNA0&feature=related
And an own goal when they were 2-1 up against Czech Republic in the last 10 minutes (reasonably unlucky one). Finished 2-2. Maybe people on here don't like teams starting with slov.
Can't wait for the draw. I usually watch them, but don't know if I'll sleep before this one.
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Gutted. does this mean one from each pot goes in each group? Cos that means we can't get in the same group as Australia, we are in the same pot.
Yes. But FIFA haven't confirmed this yet as the qualifying is still going on, but it's likely this is how it's going to look (with the possibility of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL teams in pots 3 and 4 being swapped around).
Whatever the case, we will not be able to be in the same group as Australia unless Costa Rica knock Uruguay out (Uruguay won the first game 1-0 in Costa Rica), because that would change the maths a bit.
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Why do people want to meet Spain, Brazil, etc?I want this team to do as well as we possbly can. I'll be praying for SOuth Africa - I understand that as hosts they automatically qualify in the top 8 seeds who are distributed one to each group. So all of a sudden a top 8 game becomes one against a team in crisis and at pressure at home. Let hope for WEAK teams people! Hopefully Aussie are in this list, imagining beating them in our first pool match
As much chance of beating Oz as beating England, anyway not much chance of being in the same group.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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