Soccer

2006 WORLD CUP
GROUP C

By Jim Allen
Outsports.com

SUMMARY

Group C features two heavyweights (Argentina and the Netherlands), a middleweight (Serbia & Montenegro), with a lightweight (Cote d'Ivoire) thrown in.  Serbia & Montenegro could actually sneak in to the Round of 16 if Argentina and the Netherlands neutralize each other, but in the end, expect class and quality to tell as Argentina and the Netherlands advance.

ARGENTINA

Hot Player: Maxi Rodriguez FIFA Ranking: 9 Manager (nationality): Jose Pekerman (Argentina) Key Players: Lionel Messi, Hernan Crespo (forwards); Juan Roman Riquelme, Pablo Aimar (midfielders); Juan Pablo Sorin, Gabriel Heinze (defenders); Roberto Abbondanzieri (goalkeeper) Overview: I've seen Argentina on TV twice in the last year or so and they looked amazing both times.  Unfortunately, that form often fails them at big tournaments.  One worry is their goalkeeping; it's simply not at the level the outfield players are at.  Pre-tournament injuries are also a worry, with Lionel Messi and Gabriel Heinze in particular pretty banged up.  One knock on Argentina in the last couple of World Cups was their rather thuggish style of play and accusations of diving wherein a player would be barely touched but go down like he'd been machined gunned to death, only to amazingly pop right back up after the opponent had been carded.  They've promised that those days are gone and that it will all be stylish football and skill in Germany.  The Argentineans have skill and flair in abundance, it seems that their confidence level is all that will hold them back.

COTE D'IVOIRE

Hot Player: Kolo Toure FIFA Ranking: 32 Manager (nationality): Jose Pekerman (Argentina) Key Players: Didier Drogba, Bonaventure Kalou (forwards); Didier Zokora, Guy Roland Demel (midfielders); Emmanel Eboue, Kolo Toure (defenders); Jean-Jacques Tizie (goalkeeper) Overview: Poor Cote d'Ivoire. The Country Formerly Known As The Ivory Coast would appear to be the sacrificial lamb in this group.  Any chance they have will rest on the shoulders of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.  There are some skilled players in the squad, but it's a thin level of talent and any injuries or yellow card problems of key players will be problematic.  File Cote d'Ivoire's chances under "slim and none"; I'm sure I'll read a quote from one of the players along the lines of "We're just glad to be here" at some point.

NETHERLANDS

Hot Player: Edwin van der Saar FIFA Ranking: 3 Manager (nationality): Marco van Basten (Netherlands)   Key Players: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben (forwards); Mark van Bommel, Phillip Cocu (midfielders); Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Jan Kromkamp (defenders); Edwin van der Saar (goalkeeper) Overview: Hopes are high in the land of the Oranje and it's easy to see why: they have a world-class 'keeper in the tall, lanky van der Saar, a proven goal scorer at all levels in van Nistelrooy, a creative midfield and a solid defense.  After not even qualifying for Korean/Japan 2002, the Netherlands have something to prove this time around.  One thing that's hurt them in the past is racial tensions between the often African/Caribbean born black players and the native white players.  All the PR coming out of the Oranje camp has been sunshine, sweetness and fluffy bunnies, so it's only a question of if the team can play together as a cohesive unit.  Mark the match against Argentina on June 21 as  'must watch/record' as their match in the 1998 World Cup was a classic of the last ten years.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO

Hot Player: Igor Duljaj FIFA Ranking: 44 Manager (nationality): Ilija Petkovic (Serbia) Key Players: Mateja Kezman, Nikola Zigic (forwards); Dejan Stankovic, Predrag Djordjevic (midfielders); Mladen Krstajic, Goran Gavrancic (defenders); Dragoslav Jevric (goalkeeper) Overview: To be honest, I don't know what to call this team.  Montenegro declared independence from Serbian on June 3, but all reports indicate that the team will use the S & M moniker in the tournament.  With Argentina and the Netherlands expected to romp in this group and Cote d'Ivoire expected to be lucky to even get a tie, Serbia & Montenegro has a chance to sneak in to the Round of 16 if either of the big two slip up.  They will need to find goals where they can as the midfield supply line is weak, but there will be no doubts about their solid defense and goalkeeping.  If they do make the Round of 16 playing ugly, defensive football, expect the critics to howl and the Serbia & Montenegro supporters to shrug their shoulders and say a local variant of "We live to play another day".