WORLD CUP.. (CONTINUE, groupe C)

If ever there was a nightmare group, then this is it. Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro, and Côte d'Ivoire are all in the top 50 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The Oranje and the Albiceleste are third and fourth respectively. As a result, the South Americans, who were also drawn in a tricky group in 2002, face a tough battle if they are to fare any better than they did in Asia.
The Dutch, imperious in qualification, will have their hearts set on making a successful return after an eight-year absence. The Serbo-Montenegrins, meanwhile, will come to the tournament full of confidence fresh from a preliminary competition where their defensive solidity impressed the entire world. And if the Africans are considered the minnows of the group, they are nonetheless brimming with talent and enthusiasm. It would be a brave man who staked his reputation on predicting a winner...

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Argentina 4th
Côte d'Ivoire 41st
Serbia and Montenegro 47th
Netherlands 3rd





I can tell you right now that Côte d'Ivoire will put a great show. Beside the fact that they are a smart team, talented and got a "cocky coach" (i.e. Henri Michel); they got the luckiest players in the world. a lot of promotions, lucrative contracts for their players and obviously high scoring in Europe backs my prediction. Now if you ask me how far they will go, I have no clue. African always showed great consistency in the first round and terrible performance in the second one… so.. no clue.

I believe Argentina will give a terrible show at this world cup, and the Dutch will come to compete well with the Africans. As for Serbia, they will lose all of their games. But hey!!!! I might be wrong.

That’s it for this time around.. come back for Group D’s analysis.