Five teams ready for South Africa world cup 2010

Mario · 04-25-2009, 09:28 AM

England,Paraguay, Australia, South Korea and Spain

Paraguay:

Defeat against Uruguay in Montevideo last week was a problem, but they still top the 10-strong group and look set to reach their 4th World Cup in a row, where a strike force of Roque Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo, of Benfica, should make them a decent bet for a best-ever showing. They are going to be scared, though , because the big dogs are right behind them, and they still need to go to Brazil.

Australia:

Victory over Uzbekistan in Sydney on Wednesday night all but scheduled Pim Verbeek's side a spot in S. A. They stand 6 points clear of Bahrain, who have only two games left to play, so only a total collapse would stop the Socceroos now. Australia have found the Asian qualification process as straightforward as the Oceania group used to be, drawing only once, away to Japan, and not yet conceding a goal. After reaching the last sixteen in Germany, a side with lots of experience in Europe's top leagues are predicted to go one better next time.

South Korea:

Whilst the state's eyes were much on Wembley yesterday evening, anyone that loves the zeal of a derby will have been following events in Seoul. There are few games with as much resonance as South Korea v North Korea, even more so given that both are neck and neck at the pinnacle of Asian Group B. It was actually the South who came out on top, Kim Chi Woo's goal sufficient to send Huh Jung-Moo's side top of the group, making them overpowering favorites to progress, though Saudi Arabia will still harbor ambitions of stopping both sides on the peninsula qualifying for South Africa.

Spain:

Just two nations in the labyrinthine EU qualification section look more handily placed than Britain a Dutch side dominating Scotland's group and the EU champs. Vicente Del Bosque's side proved their class by easing to victory over Fabio Capello's men in Feb and, from their performances so far, it might seem that any team with designs on lifting the cup will have to see off David Villa et al. The strength in depth ready to Del Bosque is intimidating. The midfield is run by Xavi, Villa and Fernando Torres are as good a strike pairing as world soccer boasts and in Iker Casillas, Spain have the best goalkeeper in the world.
Only in defence is there a slight concern, with Carles Puyol still missing a natural partner.

England:

John Terry's late goal has put Fabio Capello's side into what appears a virtually invulnerable position at the head of Group 6 . Offering a perfect record, 5 points clear of nearest challengers Croatia and with hard journeys to Zagreb and Minsk out of the way, it would most likely take a surprising turnaround to stop Britain now. Recently , those groups who have qualified with ease incline not to measure up to their billing once the contest correct starts. Instead, the winners have been sides written off as past their prime. Brazil came from nowhere in 2002 to win their fifth prize, as did Italy in 2006. With qualification all but assured, maybe Capello should tell his players to take their feet off the gas.