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2010 World Cup: The Top Five Small Teams That Could Be The Surprise Package
Guess which teams have made the cut in LiveSoccerTV.com's short list. There is a country from Africa, one from Asia, and another one from South America joining this top five small teams group dominated in numbers by two European participants.
1) Slovenia
We start to take a closer look at the tiny Central European nation that surprised the continent’s emerging force Russia in the play-off matches to qualify for the finals of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Slovenia didn’t only realize a dream when they reached their second every World Cup finals back in November last year, they crumbled mountains at the public’s surprise! What makes the trick for them is the combination of their technical passing game, their alert defense, and above all their strong mentality as underdogs.
Top 10 - South American Wingers
Brazil has historically excelled in the bands, and thus occupying the top of the list with the presence of Barcelona and Internazionale's right wingers, Maicon and Daniel Alves. The ferocity of the Latin American squads usually comes from the dual fight these players can deal with. These players have to be continually focused in the match, for a sudden modification in team's strategy can completely modify their role in the team.
1. Maicon
Another Internazionale's players occupying the first position in our rankings, Maicon has been one of the players of the year, giving the Neroazzurri an unchallenged edge on the bands
thanks to his speed and efficiency as a gunner. He has even been chosen over legendary Daniel Alves to guard the right band by Brazil's coach Dunga.
Top 10 - South American Aggressive Midfielders
Leaders of their team's advance, most aggressive midfielders have to stand against the ferocity of the full backs or the tenacity of defensive midfielders, and thus speed to escape from their hunters and make their way towards their opponent's goal is mandatory. Usually excellent free-kickers, our list offers America's best, who will have to do without much World Championship experience, except for our number one.
1. Kaká
Kaka is the undisputed leader of Dunga's midfield, a veteran from the 2002 World Championship and current star in Real Madrid. Two times winner of the Golden Ball, Ricardo Dos Santos received almost every single individual distinction a player can get, from Best Serie A Player back in 2004 to the Marca Legend Prize only six months ago. Having wore the Brazilian colors on 73 occasions this midfield's beast scored 26 goals, one of the highest averages on its National Football Team.
Top 10 - South American Defensive Midfielders
An excessive offensive can relegate the defense while a squad without offensive capabilities could hardly claim a single victory in a World Championship. The physical requirements to occupy this position are endless, for an ideal defensive midfielder will have to be fast-thinking, always aware of where it's team is going to assist both in the defense and the offense. Most of these guys are as well deadly gunners, and can be one of the surprises of this year's World Cup.
1. Javier Mascherano
Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has grown tougher and stronger during the last years, being the first man confirmed by Diego Maradona along with Jonas Gutierrez and Leonel Messi to travel to South Africa for the World Cup. El Jefecito has already obtained two gold medals for Argentina (During the last two Olympic Games) as well as reached the final of the Copa America two times. Having already performed on 57 occasions for the major squad, Masche will have to communicate Argentina's strikers with the back line, as it seems Maradona's squad gets lost without Mascherano.
Liverpool's weak campaign has not outshone his performance, and in South Africa he'll be able to prove once again he is indeed the best center midfielder of the present time. His optimism to never give up a ball is the main reason for which he occupies the first position, for he extols the way a player in his position should perform.
Top 5 - South American Coaches
Most of these coaches have been criticized for his 23 chosen ones for South Africa, but being able to stand against criticism is what most of being coach is about. This selection does not take into direct consideration their history as team's manager but rather their current situation. Three Argentineans, one Brazilian and one Uruguayan will be responsible for America's luck in Africa.
1. Marcelo Bielsa
Chile's coach occupies the first position thanks to the consistency and the regularity of every team he ever took control of. Gold medal winner in 2004's Olympic games, he was chosen two times as the best manager in the world. He took command of Chile's squad back in 2007, and from that moment on the Chileans are charmed by his strategies, winning two awards as Chile's and American's best coach.
Top 5 - South American Goalkeepers
Latin American Teams have always had problems finding the right man between the posts, as they may lack the physical advantage of most European (especially Eastern Europe) goalkeepers. But nevertheless most of this goalies have what's needed to stand against the blows of world's deadliest strikers.
1. Julio Cesar
Internazionale's goalkeeper is widely regarded as the best in the world, and it's easy to understand the reason, for Dunga's first choice between the posts has walked a fruitful path during this season. Claiming three titles with the Neroazzurri he took advantage of the opportunity to become a hero last January 24th, when his save from Ronaldinho's penalty kick gave Internazionale the three points on the Derby Della Madonnina.
Top 10 - South American Strikers
Goals are the final objective of any strategy in football, and even though finesse and skills are almost always the top qualities for any players, when it comes to scorers efficiency becomes the most important trait.
1. Lionel Messi
It is commonly accepted that the footballer of the moment is Lionel Messi, but criticism regarding his performance for the Albiceleste has only grown during the qualifying stages, questioning the reason why he can't perform at the same level he does when playing for the Blaugrana. Having played in almost every position as a striker, Diego Maradona is confident Lio will grab his future by the horns and claim a place in Argentina's history, for he shares many qualities with team's coach and appears to be taking advantage of that fact. Despite Barcelona was unable to claim this year's Champions League, Messi did manage to become top striker of both La Liga and the Champions, the last merit badge he was lacking.
Top 10 South American Defenders
Both Internazionale's central backs occupy the first positions in our list. As important as scoring is keeping one goal's shut, something every fullback is aware of.
1. Lucio
The first match of this World Cup will be Lucimar Ferreira da Silva's 90th game with Brazil, and he has undoubtedly become one of Dunga's main weapons to claim the top. Having just conquered every possible title with Internazionale (Scudetto, Coppa Italia, Champions League) the World Cup will become a personal matter for this 1.88 mts defender.
Chile vs Zambia - International Friendly Match Preview
Chile haven't played any top team like Holland, Argentina, Spain or Germany in the year 2010 as part of their preparations for the 2010 World Cup. However, they've tried to make the most of their friendly matches so far. They defeated Panama and Trinidad and Tobago whereas they avoided defeat against South American rivals Venezuela with a goalless draw back in April.
But their recent loss to Mexico seems to reveal that all is not so well with the Chilean squad that is mainly made of young and physically fit players. On Wednesday night, the home side will need to win big to prove that the country will not just be pretenders during the World Cup in South Africa but rather contenders. People who have an obsession for goals would love to think that Zambia will be no match for Chile. Actually, such people may be totally wrong to think this way.
Chile v Ecuador South American qualifier Match Preview
Ecuador’s match against the Chileans promises to be a mouthwatering clash, especially because the Ecuadorians are behind Argentina and Uruguay who will lock horns in another decisive match on Wednesday.
Ecuador’s table status and statistical analysis
Ecuador are sixth in the table with twenty-three points. In contrast to the Uruguayans who are one point above them, the Ecuadorians have a negative goal difference.
This means that a draw will surely not be enough even if Uruguay lose to Argentina. A win for the Ecuadorians is the only solution for the country to have a chance of qualifying into the finals of the World Cup.
Colombia v Chile South American World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Colombia’s task is to stay in contention for qualification whereas Chile’s aim is to seal their place in South Africa 2010.
Colombia table status and analysis
With two matches left to play in the qualification campaign, Colombia found themselves out of the automatic and play-off zones.
The Coffee Growers are three places and two points behind Argentina who are fifth. Colombia’s little number of points come from the fact that they’ve picked up more losses than they’ve clinched either victories or draws.
Brazil v Chile South American World Cup qualification Match Preview
On Wednesday, the entire pressure will be on the visitors to deliver…
Before the qualification campaign resumed last week, Chile were on a high and seating second in South America’s ten-team table.
However, after being held 2-2 at home by Venezuela, the Chileans suddenly find themselves between assurance and anxiety.
Chile v Venezuela South American World Cup Qualification Match Preview
Chile currently seat second in the ten-team qualification group with only one point behind the leaders Brazil. Meanwhile, the Venezuelans are third from bottom with 17 points like Colombia and only three points off Ecuador who presently occupy the play-off zone.
Chile Analysis: Strong and going?
Chile have seriously bounced back from their poor performance in the 2007 Copa America tournament. They’ve stunned the likes of Argentina, Uruguay, or even Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers by recording more wins than any other team in the table – eight victories in fourteen matches actually.
Paraguay v Chile World Cup Qualifier Preview
La Albirroja suffered a rare defeat to Uruguay followed by a draw against Ecuador which let Brazil close the gap to only three points at the top of the table.
However, the Paraguayans’ confidence ahead of the clash should be boosted after Edgar Benitez’s heroic injury-time equalizer against Ecuador in their last qualifier gave them a share of the points. It perhaps wasn’t the best result, but securing a draw in such a dramatic manner always comes as a relief and almost appears as a victory.
Chile v Bolivia, World Cup Qualifier Preview
Bolivia are yet to record an away victory in this World Cup qualification campaign. La Verde kicked off their track to South Africa 2010 with a crushing 5-0 defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo. Their horrible away form continued with a 3-0 defeat in Argentina and a 5-3 loss in Venezuela. Things didn’t get any better when Bolivia played their second home game of the campaign against Chile.
After suffering three defeats and one home draw out of the four qualification matches, Bolivia thought of kick-starting their campaign with a good result against La Roja. However, a double from Gary Medel with one goal in each half gave Chile a well deserved victory on the day, leaving Bolivia desperate to find a win in the qualifiers.