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.
During their 2010 World Cup qualification campaign, Slovenia could achieve better results than 2006 World Cup participants Czech Republic and Poland against whom they were drawn in Group 3. Luckily perhaps, Slovenia found themselves in Group C, table number 3 again. Maybe this is one of the good signs predicting how Slovenia could become the surprise package of the 2010 World Cup competition! Below is a video which will help you remember about Slovenia’s performance.
2) Slovakia
We've already learnt a lot about Slovenia's potential as underdogs. Read more here: Slovenia Team Profile - 2010 World Cup. Now what about Slovakia, the country that topped the Slovenians to claim automatic 2010 World Cup tickets during the European zone qualifiers? Slovakia created history by reaching their first ever World Cup finals in style. With 7 games won and 22 points clinched in 10 matches, they did quite enough to impose their dominance over the rest of their Group 3 opponents. Their reward: a place in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup along the likes of New Zealand, Paraguay, and defending champions Italy. Slovakia aren't willing to give up and they might be ready for some giant killings. The video below is a compilation of the team's 2010 World Cup qualification highlights.
3) Korea DPR
People who discuss Group G often seem to forget about Korea DPR's inclusion in the table and in the tournament as a whole. Korea DPR don't have a lot to boast about but this doesn't mean that they don't possess the drive of playing to win. Brazil, Portugal, Cote d'Ivoire... the North Koreans couldn't have asked for a draw more difficult than they one they have. Still, they are willing to create an enormous impact in their first World Cup tournament since 1966. After 44 years of waiting, Korea DPR could take the sweetest of revenges against Portugal and en route to more success during the 2010 World Cup. The video below recalls us how the North Koreans let an early 3-0 lead slip away to the Portuguese in 1966.
4) Algeria
Now we're talking about the first African team to win a World Cup match, Algeria. The video below, which unfortunately isn't clear enough, brings us back memories of Les Fennecs' famous 2-1 shocking victory over West Germany. This time round, Algeria aim to build on the power of their mentality to bring down the walls that will prevent them from surprising the world in South Africa. The statement of Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra tells it all:
"People say we can't qualify from a group that includes England and the USA. But I'm sure we will advance to the knockout stage. Algeria have true warriors and we want to write a new history for our country and fans."
5) Chile
Don't rule them out just yet. The 1962 World Cup third place finalists impressed a lot during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. People will need to recall that Chile picked up more wins than Brazil during their qualification campaign. Besides, they secured an automatic spot in South Africa with a second place finish above Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. They haven't been that good against big oppositions. However, they take their chances against low profiled teams. Honduras, Switzerland? Which of these two teams may do them a favor? What about a huge upset against Group H favorites Spain? Re-live Chile's win against Colombia which sealed their 2010 World Cup qualification.
