Soccer

2006 WORLD CUP
GROUP H

By Jim Allen
Outsports.com

SUMMARY

It would appear that this group is straightforward: Spain and Ukraine are miles ahead of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.  However, Spain are notorious for underachieving at major tournaments and Ukraine is going in to the tournament banged up.  Tunisia has the best chance to sneak in to the Round of 16 and much will depend on the first match in the group, Spain v. Ukraine, on June 14.  If it doesn't end in a draw, the loser could be in big trouble.  Still, expect Spain and Ukraine to go through.

SAUDI ARABIA

Hot Player: Sami Al-Jaber FIFA Ranking: 34 Manager (nationality): Paqueta (Brazil) Key Players: Sami Al Jaber, Yasser Al Qahtani (forwards); Mohammed Ameen Haidar, Mohammed Noor (midfielders); Ahmed Dokhi, Redha Tukar (defenders); Al Deayea Mohammed (goalkeeper) Overview: Colds. That might be the key between Saudia Arabia being merely outclassed by their group opponents or being humiliated by them. The change in weather from Saudi Arabia to Germany has brought low some of the squad with colds, but really, Saudi Arabia is one the teams in the tournament that are in Germany because each region is guaranteed a certain number of slots, not on any particular merit. In terms of players, Mabrouk Zayed is one of the top goalkeepers in Asia and he will be tested often. Ahmed Dokhi brings experience to the back four and Mohammed Noor was impressive in midfield during the qualifiers. Much rests on the shoulders of national icon Sami Al Jaber, who was brought out of retirement from international football to lead to the Kingdom's attack. Yasser al Khatani has also impressed and recently become the most expensive footballer in Saudi Arabian history. To be honest, this World Cup should serve more as audition forum for the players to be signed by clubs in Africa and Europe as opposed to making a run to get out of the group.

SPAIN

Hot Player: Iker Casillas FIFA Ranking: 5 Manager (nationality): Luis Aragones (Spain) Key Players: Raul, Fernando Torres (forwards); Xavi, Xabi Alonso (midfielders); Carlos Puyol, Michel Salgado (defenders); Iker Casillas (goalkeeper) Overview: Spanish supporters will not have fond memories of their beloved teams' last World Cup match. Some truly diabolical refereeing decisions cost them in their quarterfinal match against hosts South Korea, with Spain losing on penalty kicks. Spain might be considered the Atlanta Braves of world football: talented, good enough to make the playoffs but choking like dogs at the final hurdle. Sports psychology is a fascinating field and Spain could provide enough material for many a Ph.D. dissertation about expectations, performing in pressure situations and so on. A look at the roster shows an embarrassment of riches at almost every position. Iker Casillas is simply one of the best 'keepers in the world, Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos are a solid duo in central defence, while Xavi and Cesc Fabregas provide class in midfield. Considering how many quality strikers Spain has, it's utterly baffling how much trouble they have scoring goals. Raul seems certain to maintain his place in the starting XI and is likely to be partnered with young stud Fernando Torres. The sporting press in Spain is legendary: there are at least four daily sports newspapers and they aren't afraid to voice their opinions. Spain also has a very intense regional identity thing going on as Catalans, Basques and Castillians play out their centuries old drama. Team selection has been a constant theme, as manager Luis Aragones tries to find a combination that can give Spain the chance to finally live up to their reputation for stylish, technically superb football. Spain has a tough opening match against Ukraine and if they falter, expect the knives to come out.

TUNISIA

Hot Player: Adel Chadli FIFA Ranking: 21 Manager (nationality): Roger Lemerre (France) Key Players: Ziad Jaziri, Santos (forwards); Adel Chadli, Mehdi Nafti (midfielders); Hatem Trabelsi, Karim Haggui (defenders); Ali Boumnijel (goalkeeper) Overview: In 1978, Tunisia became the first African nation to win a match at a World Cup, beating Mexico 3-1 in their first group match. Unfortunately, their other matches in Argentina and two subsequent trips to the tournament have yielded exactly zero wins. This year, however, optimism is high that the Carthage Eagles can not only win another match, but actually advance to the second round. This will take a stumble by Spain or Ukraine to accomplish that, but Tunisia has enough going for it to take their chances. They made a good showing at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany and their form has been good in qualifiers. Ali Boumnijel will be the first choice goalkeeper and, at the age of 40, will be one of the oldest players in the tournament. Hatem Trabelsi is being counted on to provide a bit of offensive movement from his fullback spot, while Rahdi Jaidi is a physical presence in the center of defense. Riadh Bouazizi has been a captain for the Eagles in the past and is expected to solidify the midfield. In attack, it's a Brazilian who became a Tunisian citizen, Silva dos Santos, who is expected to lead the way. He'll probably be partnered with Ziad Jaziri in an attack that can score goals. Tunisia play group pushovers Saudi Arabia first and if Spain or Ukraine stumble in their first match, the Carthage Eagles could sneak in to the Round of 16.

UKRAINE

Hot Player: Andriy Shevchenko FIFA Ranking: 45 Manager (nationality): Oleg Blokhin (Ukraine) Key Players: Andriy Shevchenko, Andriy Vorobey (forwards); Anatoly Tymoshchyuk, Oleg Gusiev (midfielders); Andriy Nesmachny, Volodymyr Yesersky (defenders); Olexander Shovkovsky (goalkeeper) Overview: After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became a distinct football team. This will be their first World Cup under the Ukraine banner and it's a very simple plot to recap: as Andriy Shevchenko goes, so goes Ukraine. Unfortunately for Ukrainian supporters, Sheva has been out of action with a knee injury suffered while playing for AC Milan (he just signed a deal to take the bottomless pit of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's dough at Chelsea). He insists he'll be ready and if Ukraine want to advance beyond the group stage, that had better be the case. In truth, it's a little unfair to label Ukraine "Sheva + supporting cast" as they have a fine goalkeeper in Oleksandr Shovkovskiy, Anatoliy Tymoschuk is a quality midfielder and Andrey Voronin and Andrey Vorobey will team up with Shevchenko to form a potent three man attack in manager Oleg Blokhin preferred 4-3-3 formation. It will be easy to assess Ukraine's chances in the first match, as they play Spain. They should make it out of the group stage, but Andriy Shevchenko's knee will determine how far they progress beyond that.