| As the 2006 soccer world cup approaches there are | | | | be the player of the tournament. |
| may that believe Brazil will once again emerge | | | | Holland |
| winnners and collect their record breaking sixth world | | | | The Dutch always have some talented players but |
| cup. But can anyone challenge the samba stars of | | | | are guilty of under achieving and are often at the |
| Brazil? Let's have a look at some possible contenders | | | | centre of in-house fighting within a squad with lots of |
| for the 2006 world cup. | | | | large egos! |
| Germany | | | | This may be the last chance for many of their start |
| The host nataion always tend to perform well as | | | | players to lift a world cup and I expect them to do well |
| witnessed by the famous French victory in 1998 and | | | | if they can win a tough group which includes Argentina. |
| the amazing South Korean team reaching the semi | | | | With quality players such as Ruud van Nistelrooy( Man |
| finals in 2002. | | | | Utd ) and Robben ( Chelsea ) the Dutch team must be |
| It is also noted that England triumphed for the only time | | | | respected but will do well to reach the semi finals. |
| in 1966 as they played every game at their famous | | | | France |
| Wembley stadium. | | | | 1998 World Cup winners France will hope to improve |
| But are the Germany world cup squad good enough | | | | on their terrible 2002 world cup but with many players |
| to lift the 2006 world cup? I seriously doubt it, indeed | | | | now coming to the end of their career it was no |
| they have a pretty tough group with Poland, Costa | | | | surprise that the French struggled to win a pretty poor |
| Rica and Ecuador. | | | | qualifying group. |
| The Germans always start world cups at a slow pace | | | | However, the French do have one of the best players |
| and tend to improve as the tournament progresses | | | | in the World and Tierry Henry can win any game for |
| but I think they will have to be at their very best to win | | | | the French with one moment of class. Other star |
| this group. | | | | players include Vierra and the brilliant Zidane. |
| In the past the Germans had a great selection of | | | | The majority of the French team have achived world |
| world class players but for the 2006 world cup you | | | | cup fame and may not have the desire to repeat that |
| could probably list just one class player, their captian | | | | achievement but should reach the quarter finals at |
| Michael Ballack who has been linked with a big money | | | | least. If Henry turns on the skill they could even be |
| move to Chelsea. Their other world class player, | | | | potentail winners again if they avoid the big guns until |
| goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is out of favour with manager | | | | the later stages. |
| Jurgen Klinsmann. | | | | Brazil |
| Despite the advantage of home soil I predict the | | | | Everybody loves the Brazilians with their brand of pure |
| Germans will probably reach the quarter final at the | | | | football and they are strongly tipped to win the 2006 |
| very best. | | | | world cup. |
| Argentina | | | | The Brazilians have the best player in the world in |
| Argentina have some real quality players and must be | | | | Ronaldinho and can also call upon world class stars |
| a real threat to their rivals Brazil. Class players include | | | | such as Cafu, Ronaldo, Adriano, Carlos, Kaka and |
| Veron, Messi, Crespo, Sorin, Ayala and the class of | | | | Robinho. |
| Villa real star Juan Roman Riquelme. | | | | Brazil won the 1958 world cup when it was hosted in |
| Since the glorious days of Diego Maradona the | | | | Europe and it would be no surprise if they won the |
| Argentina squad have failed to make much of an | | | | 2006 world cup in Germany. |
| impact at the World Cup but they must be regarded | | | | Italy |
| as possible contenders if their team can gel together | | | | The Italians are always expected to do well and |
| and keep their discipline. | | | | breezed through qualification although they did have a |
| England | | | | very easy draw. Italian football is well know for it's |
| England are always one of the fancied teams in the | | | | defensive strength and once again the Italians will be |
| world cup but often fail to deliver when it comes to the | | | | very hard to beat, especially with one of the finest |
| crunch . However, they do have some real quality | | | | goalkeepers in the world. |
| players including Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, | | | | The Italians are strong in defence and attack with |
| David Beckham, John Terry and the strikeforce of | | | | Francesco Totti and Luca Toni the star men but they |
| Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. | | | | are not as strong in midfield and this may be their |
| But there is some question marks against their | | | | downfall when they face teams with a strong midfield |
| defence, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell have had | | | | such as England, Argentina or France. |
| their problems this year and I am not convinced about | | | | Italy will expect to reach at least the semi finals and |
| their goalkeeper Paul Robinson. However they do | | | | don't be surprised to see them involved in a few |
| have the strong John Terry at the heart of their | | | | penalty shoot outs. |
| defence. | | | | The 2006 Soccer World Cup will no doubt have many |
| I expect England to reach at least the semi finals and if | | | | shocks and surprises! |
| Wayne Rooney plays to the best of his ability he could | | | | |