Soccer

2006 WORLD CUP
GROUP B

By Jim Allen
Outsports.com

SUMMARY

This group seems pretty straightforward: the two European sides against smaller Central America/Caribbean teams.  England must be happy with its recent 6-0 thrashing of Jamaica, but they're so inconsistent, they could easily score one goal in their next three games.  Figure on England winning the group (and possibly booking a date with Germany in the round of 16) and Sweden edging out Paraguay.  Trinidad and Tobago will probably be happy with any points they get.

ENGLAND

Hot Player: Michael Owen FIFA Ranking: 10 Manager (nationality): Sven Goran Erickson (Sweden) Key Players: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen (forwards); Steven Gerrard, David Beckham (midfielders); John Terry, Rio Ferdinand (defenders); Paul Robinson (goalkeeper) Overview: England's chances to even get out of the group stage rest on the frail foot bones of Everton traitor Wayne Rooney.  Even if he manages to make it back from his broken foot, he'll be out of football shape.  Absent Rooney, England will have to rely on its natural English grit and determination and sterling goalkeeping from Robinson if they hope to advance to the Round of 16.  If nothing else, reading the hysterical, xenophobic English sporting press will provide a lot of amusement during the tournament.  Expect England's wins over Germany in 1918 and 1945 in another sort of contest to be mentioned at least 7 million times in a month.  As the old chant goes, referring to The Great War, World War II and England's 4-2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium in 1966: Two world wars, one World Cup

PARAGUAY

Hot Player: Carlos Gamarra FIFA Ranking: 33 Manager (nationality): Anibal Ruiz (Uruguay) Key Players: Roque Santa Cruz, Jose Cardozo (forwards); Julio dos Santos, Jose Montiel (midfielders); Julio Cesar Caceres, Carlos Gamarra (defenders); Derlis Gomez (goalkeeper) Overview: This could be a team that surprises a lot of people.  They made the Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup, losing to eventual finalist Germany.  Although it's not rated as a tournament, they were runner-ups in the 2004 Olympics in Greece. They have a terrific central defender in Carlos Gamarra and proven goal scorers in Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez at their disposal.  The Paraguayans play attractive, attacking football and could easily win the group if England and Sweden trip up.  One player that will be interesting to follow is goalkeeper Justo Villar, who has to fill the shoes of national icon Jose Luis Chilavert.  If Villar can play well and provide a steadying influence in goal, anything is possible for Paraguay.

SWEDEN

Hot Player: Anders Svensson FIFA Ranking: 16 Manager (nationality): Lars Lagerback (Sweden) Key Players: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson (forwards); Fredrik Ljungberg, Kim Kallstrom (midfielders); Fredrik Stenman, Niclas Alexandersson (defenders); Andreas Isaksson (goalkeeper) Overview: The formula for Sweden in Germany seems simple: rely on their fantastic attacking players Freddie Ljungberg, Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovich to keep possession and provide early goals so that their very shaky defense doesn't get tested often.  Sweden has been hit by injuries in the World Cup run-up and their defense is being held together with glue and string.  The thing I kept reading in profiles of Sweden while doing research was the great team ethic they have.  Plus, they generally do well against England, who for some bizarre reason, are already being anointed the winners of this group.  It's not an easy draw for any of the teams but if Sweden can stay healthy, their forwards produce the goods and the defense in front of world class 'keeper Andreas Isaksson doesn't act like Swiss cheese, the Swedes have a good chance of making the Round of 16.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Hot Player: Russell Latapy FIFA Ranking: 47 Manager (nationality): Leo Beenhakker (Netherlands) Key Players: Dwight Yorke, Colin Samuel (forwards); Chris Birchall, Aurtis Whitley (midfielders); Brent Sancho, Dennis Lawrence (defenders); Shaka Hislop (goalkeeper) Overview: I know of a couple of the players from T & T (no way I'm typing that out every time) due to their English league experience and if they perform, T & T could make some noise.  Dwight Yorke was superb for Manchester United from 1998-2002 (including being a key component of United's Treble winners) and Stern John, in addition to having one of the best athlete names ever, has shown flashes of brilliance for Birmingham and Coventry.  Additionally, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack has played well for Dundee United in Scotland.  The problem for the Soca Warriors appears to be their defense.  They've leaked goals in their warmup matches to mediocre opponents, so that has to be a worry.  This is a somewhat aging team, with players like Yorke not having many (if any) more World Cups in their futures.  That can either mean that a) they'll be motivated to play their best or b) they're old and get run over.  If nothing else, T & T will be fun to watch.