The 2010 World Cup draw was finally made in South Africa, and like most soccer fanatics I´m really excited. Several mouthwatering match- ups are scheduled, and my impression is that there are a combination of 1. very difficult groups and 2. very easy ones. All five of South America´s representatives could reach the last 16, even if it looks fairly tough for Uruguay in particular. Brazil don´t have it any easy either.

While Brazil and Argentina are expected to go far in the tournament, I think it is about time that one of the other South American nations steps up. For now it seems that Chile could be this team, although Paraguay and Uruguay also have tremendous potential.

It is strange to see that some of the groups are really difficult, like Group A and G, while there are others that look very weak. To see the United States, Algeria and Slovakia in the same group is a bit of a shock.

Brazil will have to be at their best to get out of Group G. With the Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea, it will be a huge challenge. But Brazil is Brazil and there´s no doubt they will be one of the strongest teams of the tournament.

Here´s my take on each and every World Cup Group:

Group A: South Africa – Mexico – Uruguay – France

Once again luck hasn´t gone Uruguay´s way, as they will take part in one of the most difficult groups of the tournament. It is so evenly balanced that all four teams have chances of progressing. A positive result in Uruguay´s debut against France is crucial.

Group Rating: 4 stars (exciting)

Qualifiers – 1st France and 2nd Uruguay

Group B: Argentina – Nigeria – South Korea – Greece

If Argentina finds their top form, they will surely finish top of what seems to be a rather easy group. Nigeria, South Korea and Greece don´t have too much to offer and can be beaten. There´s no way Argentina will be eliminated at this stage like in 2002.

Group Rating: 3 stars (tough)

Qualifiers – 1st Argentina and 2nd Nigeria

Group C: England – United States – Algeria – Slovenia

The worst group of the tournament by far. England and the United States should be extremely happy, because unless something goes horribly wrong both should qualify. Algeria and Slovenia lack depth in every department, but will be hoping to surprise.

Group Rating: 2 stars (boring)

Qualifiers – 1st England and 2nd Algeria

Group D: Germany – Australia – Serbia – Ghana

Germany will surely progress, but the other spot could be taken by either of the other three sides. Despite different characteristics, Australia, Serbia and Ghana are equally strong. Every match is likely to be highly disputed. A seriously physical group.

Group Rating: 3 stars (interesting)

Qualifiers – 1st Germany and 2nd Australia

Group E: Netherlands – Denmark – Japan – Cameroon

A very tough group, particularly because two solid European sides take part in it. Cameroon will be at an advantage as they will be used to the conditions, but the other three teams in the group are workaholics, and have heaps to prove.

Group Rating: 3 stars (very tight)

Qualifiers – 1st Cameroon and 2nd Netherlands

Group F: Italy -  Paraguay – New Zealand – Slovakia

Italy and Paraguay are far superior to their other two group opponents. New Zealand and Slovakia don´t have too much to offer. The Italy-Paraguay clash promises to be highly entertaining, and it should decide who tops the group.

Group Rating: 2 stars (two-team)

Qualifiers – 1st Italy and 2nd Paraguay

Group G: Brazil – North Korea – Ivory Coast – Portugal

Group Rating: 5 stars (extremely difficult)

Qualifiers – 1st Brazil and 2nd Portugal

Here we have the Group of Death; three of the four teams involved are very tough and capable of progressing. Brazil may be five–time winners of the tournament, but will have to be weary of the threat that Portugal and the Ivory Coast boast.

Group H: Spain – Switzerland – Honduras – Chile

Chile should be concerned of European champions Spain, but their other two opponents, Switzerland and Honduras, are complete walkovers. La Roja should advance without too much difficulty. I get the feeling that Chile will reach the decisive stages of the comp.

Group Rating: 3 stars (decent)

Qualifiers – 1st Spain and 2nd Chile

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

For some reason we knew this was going to happen didn´t we? A few weeks ago I had the strange feeling that the 2009 Brazilian championship would end in scandal, and with four teams separated by only two points heading into the final round of the year-long season this is the case, and yes, quite understandable.

The top four: Flamengo (64 points), Internacional, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo (all 62 points).

Over the years the Brazilian league has been plagued by controversy, with match fixing allegations very common, and it seems that the winner of this year´s competition will have to back themselves up, because no matter who they might be, the other three teams still in the running on the final match day will criticise them (or in some respects accuse them/each other of bribery).

From what I have seen and heard in the last few days it is obvious that something strange is going on. What particularly caught my attention was the penalty awarded to Flamengo against Corinthians on Sunday. First of all it was a dubious call, but what was worse was the way it was resolved. It seemed that Corinthians´ goalkeeper Felipe was given some kind of instructions from a team-mate, and then he made no attempt at saving the spotkick. I have no evidence as to prove whether the goalkeeper let the ball in in protest to the decision by the referee, or whether it was because something which he was told (which would have been illegal). Flamengo was already winning the game, so I don´t think the goal would have made a difference anyhow.

As a result of the loss, the title of the cover of Corinthians´ official magazine read “sweet defeat” with a picture of Ronaldo on it (Ronaldo came off injured in the first half of the game). Apparently some say he faked the injury, because he didn´t want to be part of the plot, because he is a die-hard Flamengo fan. On Tuesday, however, it was confirmed that Ronaldo had sustained an injury.

Corinthians, of course, are crosstown rivals of Palmeiras and Sao Paulo, and have a fierce rivalry with Internacional. Perhaps if Flamengo were to triumph it wouldn´t be as difficult to take for them.

Things may sound complicated already, but Flamengo will win the Brazilian championship for the first time since 1992 if they beat Gremio at Maracana on Sunday. Having said this, Internacional will be hoping for a Gremio victory, to possibly win the league themselves. But, Gremio and Inter are archrivals, and maybe Gremio won´t try to win the game, in preference of Flamengo winning the title instead. Will Gremio give their 100 percent to win the game…?

For the good of the game I hope Gremio put out a side who will play the game as if it were any other. They must play for their own pride, irrespective if Inter can win the league or not.

I feel for Inter´s fans, because they lost the 2005 championship to Corinthians also in controversial style, but what they have to do is concentrate on their own game, and then hope that perhaps Gremio gives them a favour, that certainly may not be the case.

I´m a big fan of the Brasileiro, and have followed the league every week since it started, and believe that the quality on display has been of a great standard. The return of several outstanding players like Ronaldo, Fred and Adriano has done a great deal of good to the league, and it is a pity that the season has to end in chaos.

Is the solution the reinstallment of the playoff format? It might be, even if I personally prefer the European style year-long season, because this guarantees the best and most consistent teams will participate in the Copa Libertadores every year. In Argentina, the short season format means several of the big teams (including River and Boca) will miss out on the 2010 Libertadores. But that´s a completely different story.

Whether it has a short or long format, the Brazilian championship can´t be decided in this manner. All we can hope is that the title is won fairly, whether it goes to Flamengo, Internacional, Palmeiras or Sao Paulo.

Let the best team win.

Feel free to leave your comments…

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Uruguay were the final team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup sneaking past Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate. The Uruguayans were lucky to have advanced, because Costa Rica were only a goal away from South Africa, and came extremely close to scoring.

La Celeste seemed to be too strong to handle for the Costa Ricans, after winning the first leg when playing away from home, but as has happened so many times in the past Uruguay were off their game, particularly in the second half, and ended up claiming a shaky draw that still was enough to send them through.

Uruguay will need to improve a great deal in the next few months, in order not to be eliminated at the first hurdle in South Africa. They have the potential to have a good World Cup, but will need to find a more effective game plan (this is essential).

Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina are the other four South American teams that will participate in South Africa 2010.

Copa Sudamericana final looms

Liga de Quito thumped River Plate 7-0 in Ecuador and progressed to the final of the Copa Sudamericana where they will meet Fluminense of Brazil. Liga played some memorable football, and crushed a River side who had beaten them just days earlier in Montevideo. Did this have anything to do with the altitude? Maybe it influenced the result a little, but Juan Ramon Carrasco´s idea to take an attacking approach to Quito was the main reason his side were completely trampled over.

Revenge is on the horizon, as Liga face Fluminense, the team they beat on penalties for their first Copa Libertadores title in 2008. The Brazilians will surely be after sweet revenge.

Focusing on the top leagues of the continent, the Brazilian and Argentine championships are going right down to the wire. Here are the teams I think will win the following league championships:

Brazil: Sao Paulo (yet again, but it would be nice if it went Flamengo´s way)

Argentina: Banfield (what would be a first in 113 years of existence)

Uruguay: Nacional (moved top after beating Danubio in Jardines)

Chile: Universidad Catolica (have been in fine form all season)

Colombia: Atletico Nacional? (one of many strong sides)

Paraguay: Libertad (such a solid side)

Bolivia: The Strongest (it is pretty tight in semi-final time)

Ecuador: Deportivo Quito (face Deportivo Cuenca in the final)

Peru: Universitario (should be an exciting final with Alianza Lima)

Venezuela: Caracas FC (even after their loss to direct rivals Dep. Italia)

That´s what I think, whether you agree or disagree, feel free to leave me your opinion…

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Not only did Uruguay inch closer towards the 2010 World Cup with their impressive victory over Costa Rica on Saturday, but Uruguayan club River Plate moved a step closer towards the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

No Uruguayan club haven´t reached the final of a major international competition since 1988, when Nacional won the Copa Libertadores, but with Nacional and Penarol nowhere to be seen, Juan Ramon Carrasco´s side are just a game away from making history.

River´s campaign has been nothing less than extraordinay, as the club average crowds of fewer than 1,000 people in their league games, and all of a sudden are taking South American football by storm.

After beating Liga de Quito 2-1 in Montevideo, River will only need a draw in Quito to advance to the final, where they will either meet Fluminense or Cerro Porteno. Is this the return of Uruguayan football?

While Uruguay claimed a valuable win over Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina did well in friendly internationals.

Brazil edged England 1-0 in Doha. The Selecao completely outplayed their opponents, and could have won the match by three or four goals. If Luis Fabiano hadn´t missed a second half penalty it could have easily ended like this.

Diego Maradona´s Argentina were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Madrid, but came extremely close to picking up a draw. If Martin Demichelis hadn´t given away a late penalty, and hadn´t missed an easy close range header in second half injury time, the match could have finished in a draw.

Positive signs for Los Albicelestes, it seems that Maradona is getting his game together, and in just a few months Argentina could return to their best. Still, there is plenty of work to do, as the team still haven´t found a consistent game plan.

Have a great week, talk soon.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

This week decided the semifinalists of the 2009 Copa Sudamericana. The four matches were very highly disputed, with River Plate (Uruguay), Fluminense (Brazil), Cerro Porteno (Paraguay) and Liga de Quito (Ecuador) making the final four. Surprisingly not a single Argentine side is still in the running, with Velez Sarsfield and San Lorenzo having been eliminated.

But Argentine sides came very close to progressing, with San Lorenzo being ousted by a River on penalties kicks and Velez losing to Liga 3-2 on aggregate. For a change there are four teams from four different country´s looking to be crowned Copa Sudamericana champions for the first time.

Here is a quick take on all four teams:

River Plate – Juan Ramon Carrasco has worked wonders with the side from Montevideo´s Prado district. They have yet to lose on the road, and have been the revelation of the competition thus far. Uruguayan teams have picked up their game in recent years, and now fight for pretty much every competition. Against Liga, River will try to take advantage of the quality they have in their attack. Reaching the semis is already a huge achievement for the club.

Liga de Quito - The 2008 Copa Libertadores champions have continued their progression and can now be considered one of South America´s best sides. Never have a team from Ecuador made such an impact in international play, and Liga could well win another competition. They have huge depth in their squad, and play an attractive style of football that guarantees results. At this point they are the favourites to win the title.

Cerro Porteno - The Paraguayans picked up a memorable victory over Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro that sent them through to the semis. El Ciclon are also a very well disciplined unit, and have the potential to be one of South America´s strongest teams in the coming years. There is lots of expectation in Paraguay ahead of the semi-final series with Fluminense. Cerro Porteno will hope to claim a similar result to the one against Botafogo.

Fluminense – All of the pressure was on Flu when they took on the highly fancied Universidad de Chile on Thursday, but the Brazilians put on a brilliant display and sneaked into the semis with a well deserved 1-0 win. Fluminense could well be relegated to the Brazilian second division after a highly disappointing campaign, but will still take pride by the fact that they are amongst South America´s four best teams. The 2008 Copa Libertadores finalists have a lot to play for in the next few weeks.

Next week the Copa Sudamericana semis kick off, so make sure not to miss them.

In other news, Argentina presented their World Cup shirts, that are very similar to the ones used for the 1978 and 1986 World Cups. Could this motivate Los Albicelestes to a third World Cup title?

Uruguay travelled to Guatemala on Saturday, as they prepare for the decisive World Cup playoff with Costa Rica next week. With everything aside, Uruguay have everything in their favour to go through. When you take a look at the Costa Rica squad you can realise that La Celeste are a level above their opponents. But football is 11 vs 11 and often this has nothing to do with the outcome of matches. Matches are only won on the field.

Finally, the quarter-finals of the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria have been decided. South American teams Colombia and Uruguay will face difficult clashes. Colombia are up against Turkey and Uruguay take on Spain.

Have a great weekend!

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

With no senior international soccer having taken place this week most of the action came from the local leagues.

In Argentina the biggest news was River´s narrow win over Argentinos Juniors in La Paternal. It had been ages since River last won an away game. It seems that Leonardo Astrada was the right man for the job after all and that he is capable of steering River in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Boca returned to winning ways with an easy victory over Chacarita Juniors at the Bombonera. Boca may be in ninth place, but they are only five points behind league leaders Estudiantes.

Luckily Alfio Basile stayed on, because at this rate his side could win another championship. On the down side playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme was injured during the game and is expected to be out of action for more than a month. What a huge blow.

There were plenty of fireworks in Avellaneda as Independiente finally returned to their home on Wednesday. The Libertadores de America stadium was definitely worth the wait as it looks incredible, and this motivated Independiente to defeat Colon 3-2!

Things are as interesting in Brazil, as Sao Paulo climbed to the top of the league standings after beating Internacional on Wednesday. The Tricolor Paulista seemed to be completely out of the title race not too long ago, but are now on course for what would be a record fourth successive championship.

On Thursday, however, Palmeiras thumped Goias 4-0 and returned to the top. The Brasileiro will surely go right down to the wire.

The biggest news in Uruguay is the revival of the once great Penarol. It´s great to see them doing well again. They face Defensor Sporting in a crucial fixture on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Oscar Tabarez selected his 23 foreign based players to face Costa Rica in the World Cup playoff next month. Playing on artificial turf seems unfair to me by the way.

At the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, South American teams haven´t performed too well. Argentina lost to the hosts, Brazil were beaten by Switzerland  and Colombia drew with Iran. Only Uruguay won, beating Algeria.

While Argentina are the only team from the continent to have already qualified for the Round of 16, the other remaining teams still have chances. But South America´s youth have disappointed thus far.

Happy Halloween, I look forward to speaking to you next week.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Email

South American World Cup qualifying has finally come to an end after two years of competition.

Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina assured themselves of direct World Cup qualification, and rightly so. Uruguay will now have to face CONCACAF’s fourth placed side Costa Rica over two legs next month. It will be the third successive time the Uruguayans will enter this playoff for a berth in the World Cup. Even after their disappointing defeat to Argentina on Wednesday, La Celeste are favoured to progress.

The biggest story coming out of South America, however, is Diego Maradona’s outburst to the local press due to his anger at being constantly criticized for his coaching ability. Now Maradona faces a FIFA ban, and could be suspended for up to five matches. Maradona lost his head yet again! When will he learn, and realise that now he is the coach of Argentina and needs to lead by example?

Turning to this week’s top South American action, the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana kick off. All four matchups are intriguing in themselves, with perhaps the most interesting clash being that between Velez Sarsfield and Liga de Quito. Two Argentine clubs, two Brazilian clubs, and a club each form Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile are in the running to be champions of the competition.

Stay tuned to all of the news we will provide of the tournament at South American Futbol.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Email