Group B

[Regs]

Teams

Spain
Slovenia
Paraguay
South Africa

Games

Date Venue Time Teams
02 Jun Busan 16:30 Paraguay : South Africa  
02 Jun Gwangju 20:30 Spain : Slovenia  
07 Jun Jeonju 18:00 Spain : Paraguay  
08 Jun Daegu 15:30 South Africa : Slovenia  
12 Jun Daejeon 20:30 South Africa : Spain  
12 Jun Seogwipo 20:30 Slovenia : Paraguay

Head-to-Heads in World Cup finals (since 1930)

19 Jun 98  St.Etienne  Spain vs. Paraguay  0:0 (0:0) [World Cup Finals]

Head-to-Heads overall (since 1992)

18 Jun 00  Amsterdam  Slovenia vs. Spain  1:2 (0:1) [Continental Finals]

TTP Prediction: Spain

 

[sensei_hanson]

Raul: "We Can Win The World Cup"

Real Madrid striker Raul believes underachieving Spain may finally be ready to wake up from their World Cup nightmare.

Home to arguably the finest league in the world with Real Madrid and Barcelona among its teams, Spain's national team have never won a World Cup.

They have also been embarrassed at times.

As hosts in 1982 they were humiliated in their opening match against Northern Ireland, losing 1-0 in Seville.

France 98 got off to a nightmare start against Nigeria when veteran goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta fumbled a save into his own net. Spain never recovered, failing to progress beyond the group stage.

Raul is hopeful that disappointment is a thing of the past.

"The whole of Spain will be expecting us to reach at least the semi-final," Raul said.

"There are a group of another six or seven sides, which includes Spain, who also have a chance of going all the way.

"I am certain that in the World Cup in Korea and Japan we are going to achieve something special."

The 24-year-old considers Brazil, France and Argentina as favourites, but he told Spanish newspaper AS: "We are aiming to win the World Cup."

Morale has improved in the Spanish camp since Jose Antonio Camacho replaced the fiery Javier Clemente in 1998.

The Spanish were unfortunate to lose out to eventual winners France in Euro 2000, Raul himself missing a last-minute penalty which would have put his side through.

Raul wants Spain to follow the lead of France and finally resolve years of heartache for players and fans.

"Above all I would like the Spanish public to be proud of its national team. That would make me really happy," he said.

"Football has a strange way of making these things happen and maybe that will be the case in Japan and Korea.

"In key moments we seem to lack the experience that the top teams have, but I am certain that we will never lose the belief that we are good enough to beat anybody.

"We have a good blend of very experienced individuals alongside some extremely promising and talented youngsters."

 

[sensei_hanson]

Paraguyan Star Compared To CDK's Fave Footballer

Roque Santa Cruz shares his name with one of Paraguay's first beatified martyrs and has been compared by at least one commentator to Marco van Basten.

To say that great things are expected of the 20-year-old then, is something of an understatement.

Signed by Bayern Munich from Olimpia de Asuncion, he has lived up to the reputation he established in South America only fitfully in Europe.

The performances of the teenage prodigy in Paraguay certainly deserved the hype.

Aged just 17, Santa Cruz netted a hat-trick for Olimpia against Argentinian giants Velez Sarsfield in the quarter-finals of the Mercosur Cup.

The man between the sticks on that occasion was compatriot and goalkeeping legend Jose Luis Chilavert, still in the Paraguayan team but losing the battle in popularity against Santa Cruz.

He attracted the interest of Europe's big-hitters after making his debut on the world stage at the Under-20 World Championships.

And another sterling role in the 1999 Copa America, where his five goals carried Paraguay to the quarter-finals, prompted Bayern to make their move.

Santa Cruz arrived in Germany amid much excitement prompted, in part, by former Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes' claim that the Bavarians had discovered the new Van Basten.

Santa Cruz for his part was bemused by the fuss, arriving at Munich Airport with a guitar under his arm before taking a small flat which he shares with his father and younger brother who is working his way through the Bayern system.

But if Bayern expect great things of the modest 20-year-old, that is nothing compared to the hope vested in him back home.

Traditionally robust in defence, the Paraguayans now believe they have unearthed a striker capable of dazzling the world's best defences.

Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are among the football luminaries to have paid tribute to his talents, but it remains to be seen whether he can justify the praise.

Spain, for whom he could have played due to a Spanish grandfather, will be daunting opponents - but the defences of South Africa and Slovenia should not intimidate him.

Beyond the second round, should the Paraguayans progress, Germany are likely opponents and what price then that Santa Cruz will take the opportunity to bite the hand that feeds him.

 

[mehmet]

Sensei,

Interesting reading.

Mehmet.

 

[knvb]

South Africa sneaked past Scotland 2-0 in the four-nation Reunification Cup here Monday, providing a timely shot in the arm ahead of the World Cup finals. But it was a far from convincing display for a side which has had a patchy warmup campaign for Japan and South Korea.

A 31st minute goal from Tebogo Makoena and a 92nd-minute strike from substitute George Koumantarakis gave the South Africans the victory they were looking for against a young Scotland side still seeking its first victory under new coach Berti Vogts.

With the World Cup less than two weeks away, South African coach Jomo Sono desperately needed a morale-boosting win after recent losses to Saudi Arabia and Georgia and goalless draws against Botswana and Ecuador.

"We worked hard and I was happy with our passsing and possession and particularly happy with the defence," he said afterwards. "We needed this win for the morale of the team. It was important to win to get our confidence back.

The sight of Leeds United's Lucas Radebe coming through 90 minutes unscathed and in commanding form after struggling with injuries for the last 15 months warmed Sono's heart.

The big defender was given the captain's armband, settling the dispute over whether goalkeeper Hans Vonk would be the World Cup skipper.

Vogts will seek solace from his team creating several chances against World Cup-bound opposition, although the inexperience of his young side shone through.

They gave away too much possession and were outplayed in midfield as they were in last week's 4-1 defeat by South Korea.

"I thought South Africa were very lucky," said Vogts. "It was a much better performance from us today but they are still not doing enough.

"We were better organised but the midfield have to come forward more. We still have a lot to learn."

It was the Scots who had the first chance when Robert Stockdale won a free kick on the right deep in the South African half in the 6th minute. But Kevin Kyle could not control his head, skying over the crossbar.

As South Africa settled, Bradley Carnell started pushing forward from left back and the chances began to appear. An ambitious 30-yard strike from Fibusiso Zuma failed to find the mark in the 14th minute and a shot from a similar distance four minutes later by Aaron Mokoena showed their intent.

South Africa finally made the breakthrough in the 31st minute when Allan Johnston was yellow carded for a reckless tackle from behind on Zumo. Benni McCarthy hit the wall and Teboga Makoena went down a yard outside the penalty area, giving the South Africans another chance. McCarthy again fired a right-footed shot. Robert Douglas saved only to see Teboga Makoena pounce on the rebound.

Scotland had a golden chance to level the game two minutes before the break when Kyle outjumped Vonk at the right post but his header hit the back netting. Five minutes into the second half, Kyle had another chance. He latched on to a through ball from Scott Dobie but crashed his shot against the crossbar.

Scotland nearly sneaked an equaliser three minutes from time when a curling shot from 30 yards by Maurice Ross was tipped over. But it was South Africa who found the net in the final stages when Koumantarakis sidefooted past Douglas from inside the penalty area after latching on to a through ball.

It's obvious the Scotts can't do anything with out the Dutch players on there Club teams backing them up.

 

[Guinness]

knvb

Obviously Holland can't qualify for the World Cup with too many Dutch players in their squad!!!

 

[knvb]

Group Analysis:

Spain and Paraguay met at France 98, but could not score a goal between them. Whereas Paraguay went on to the last 16, this stalemate would cost the Spaniards dearly as they failed to get beyond the group stage. This time, however, they will have an advantage over their Spanish-speaking rivals, since Paraguay are currently without a coach and their talismanic goalkeeper and captain Jose Luis Chilavert will be suspended for the two first matches of the tournament.

Slovenia will be enjoying their first FIFA World Cup, whilst South Africa will be on the world stage for the second time since the country was allowed back into international competition.

I need a 2nd. What are the "odds" for this group? Does anyone know a site? Spains got my first place, but yet again I'm fcuked to pick a second. I would like to say Paraguay, but I can't help but think South Africa will do something.