The 2006 World Cup
The biggest sporting event on the planet takes place this Summer in Germany.
With the World’s greatest players on show England have a chance to win back the Jules Rimet for the first time in fourty years; hype in this country is understandably surrounding Sven’s squad for the tournament.
However if England are to bring home the glory they will have to hope that the other thirty one nations cannot perform on the big occasion as well as they can.
Scores of players have over a month to set the World alight and with nations from the four corners of the earth represented who exactly will the planet be talking about in the 2006 and who will be the ones to watch before the tournament in South Africa come 2010.
Group A
Lukas Podolski (Germany) – Twenty-one year old striker Podolski has been a revelation during his time playing for Cologne in the Bundesliga. Born in Poland his scoring record is just above one goal every two league games. Strong and powerful he is bound to cause defenses a problem and hold up play if given chance.
Winston Parks (Costa Rica) – Quick and skillful Winston Parks made an early impression in the 2002 World Cup by scoring his first National team goal. Progressing his game to become more involved in build up the player has developed in Italy to vie with Captain Paulo Wanchope for a starting place.
Sebastian Mila (Poland) – Playing in nearby Austria the midfielder has forced his way into several qualifying games including a performance against England at Old Trafford. His game is based on finding space with deep runs from midfield and setting up attacks with a range of short passing.
Luis Antonio Valencia (Ecuador) – Scoring an impressive goal on his first start for his National team Valencia burst on the scene with an explosive strike from long distance. Struggling to adapt to life at Villareal the midfielder comes to life when wearing the kit of his country and given a chance he will help Ecuador progress.
Group B
Joe Cole (England) – Finally looking to have solved England’s left sided problem Cole is quick, strong and very creative. Looking somewhere near the player we expected him to be when just a sixteen year old at West Ham he finally has learnt when skills are necessary and when it’s time to work hard and become an effective part of the team.
Nelson Cuevas (Paraguay) – Scoring two goals in the 2002 World Cup in the group stage Cuevas is well supported by attacking players. Able to play in midfield or in an attacking role Nelson has an eye for goal and an excellent strike given the chance. If Paraguay are to succeed then he will have to be at his creative and goalscoring best.
Chris Birchall (Trinidad) – Recent fame has led everyone to know the name and the face of the Port Vale man after scoring the goal which got his team to their first World Cup finals. Scoring goals when in his club side the youngster is quick and is very creative when just outside the box. Able to shoot from long range and pick a pass when necessary.
Kim Kallstrom (Sweden) – The developing talents of the young midfielder have be nurtured by the recent improvements of the standards of the French league. Creative and both footed Kallstrom can find a pass in a crowded area and has a very good touch for a tall player.
Group C
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Barcelona’s young talent has been impressive coming off the bench for the La Liga side. Quick and both footed Messi is good both on the ground and in the air. Working on the shoulder of the last defender he is very skillful and is sure to be a crowd pleaser in Germany.
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) – Young defensive midfielder Toure is well equipted to help turn defense into attack with his strong physical appearance but athletic physique. His range of passing is perfect for his all round game, built on energy and making the opposition make mistakes.
Namanje Vidic (Serbia) – Part of the qualification defense which only let in one goal, Vidic is part of a strong and cognitive unit. His defensive abilities are without question his pace and his sense for danger. Able to sense out problems before they arise his strength plays a big part in an impressive all round game.
Wesley Sneijder (Holland) – The authodox Ajax winger is very good when it comes to a set piece and has the ability to make things happen from a wide position. His crossing causes danger and his running from wide areas gives his team the option when playing long passes. Surrounded by quality in Robben and Van Der Vaart his is extremely versatile and can play in several positions.
Group D
Guillermo Ochoa – Becoming the latest Mexican goalkeeping star following on from the colourful and creative Campos he is a composed figure with shot stopping ability and a great starting position. His quick reflexes and confidence when coming for high balls make him a formidable obstacle.
Hossein Kaebi (Iran) – Relying on team work to help them qualify through the group stages, Kaebi’s defensive organization will be key to making sure that Iran don’t get turned over easily against Portugal and Mexico. He is extremely quick and strong able to dominate fast and pacey strikers but can also hold his own again strong and mobile forwards.
Fabrice Akwa (Angola) – The captain of his country he spearheaded their qualifying campaign to finish ahead of the more favoured Nigerian’s. As a striker he is strong and good in the air, but has very good technical ability and uses his natual physical ability to hold the ball up.
Luis Boa Morte (Portugal) – The Fulham captain has been one of the impressive players in the Premiership this season and looks to aid Cristiano Ronaldo in dazzling and outpacing defenses all around the world. Not only quick but strong and skillful Boa Morte can be creative from a deep position but also has an eye for goal.
Group E
Daniel De Rossi – Looked at as a new style Italian player he brings energy and an all round game to the Italian team. Using his box to box running he causes trouble for oppositions with his runs and can be extremely creative. At 21 he is the midfield engine which could spark Italy into life at anytime in the game.
Prince Tagoe (Ghana) – Playing his football in Denmark the forward has worked on the rough edges which his game has. Using his technical ability to develop his game going forward he works hard to ensure that defending starts from the front and using his physical presence and youthful ability to create problems for defenses.
Da Marcus Beasley (USA) – His quality started to show in the last tournament before the US were eliminated. But his pace and crossing ability are exteremely beneficial to the all round US game. Not only on offense but his ability to track back and help hi full back will aid his countries cause.
Jiri Jarosik (Czech Republic) – Strong and powerful in the centre of midfield the on loan Chelsea player has a very good long range strike and an ability to be dangerous from set pieces. His height helps in defensive situations and his passing will help take some of the responsibility away from stars such as Nedved and Rosicky.
Group F
Robinho (Brazil) – Spoilt for options in attacking situations Brazil will be look to Robinho to help Ronaldo and friends score goals. His creativity and natural pace will assist the holders cause and with the ability to interchange from several positions his versatility may be a deciding factor in helping the samba squad retain their trophy. His love for big occasion will also help in the latter stages.
Niko Kranjcar (Croatia) – Starting life as a winger Kranjcar has become an effective central midfield provider for his team. As a play maker he is sure footed and makes things happen. With the ability to score goals himself he is inventive and is dangerous with our without the ball.
Tim Cahill (Australia) – After defeating Uraguay in a dramatic playoff penalty shoot out, Australia will rely on goals to help them into stage two. Cahill’s late runs and arial ability will certainly help their cause and with his tackling and hassling ability in defensive situations he could turn out to be a crucial member of the squad.
Alex Santos (Japan) – Long heralded as the next star of Japanese football, the Brazilian born player comes with the flair expected of a player of his nationality. His creative vision as well as his ability to take a very good set piece will assist Japan and will add to their all energy and short passing game.
Group G
Alou Diarra (France) – Midfielder Diarra has learnt a lot from his short spell at Liverpool under Gerrard Houllier. Playing currently in the French League he is strong and athletic bringing stability in front of the shaky defence which France possesses. Able to break up attacks and start new ones with his interceptions from a deep position he has many role to play in his national team.
Johan Vonlanthen (Switzerland) – Young Columbian born striker Vonlanthen has an abilty to make things happen in tight spaces just outside the penalty area. He has a great left foot and has skills to dazzle and amaze defences. He is an athletic player who has an ability to score all different types of goals.
Cha Do Ri (South Korea) – Brave and industrious on either flank Cha is a willing runner and able to create havoc in unaware defenses. His pace and balance help his running and his creative ability can sometimes mean the difference between a draw and a win. After a successful tournament in 2002, they will rely on his energy to fuel their qualification.
Haliru Alidu (Togo) – In their first competition Togo will be relying on a no fear approach and a bit of luck to help them progress. Alidu gives the game everything he has and is a plysical presense in midfield. His ability to pick out a pass and also make runs from deep mean he could be come an essential part of the Togolese team.
Group H
Fernando Torres (Spain) – Posessing an all round game, Torres has turned his Madrid side into a hard working unit. Able to pose a threat on the ground or in the air his skills and pace take him past players easily and effectively. With goals galore in his locker Torres poses a threat for any defense.
Andriy Nesmachny (Ukraine) – Qualifying for their first tournament the Ukrainians are led by AC Milan star Shevchenko but it may be their defensive qualities which help the reach the latter stages. Nesmachny is one reason for their brisk qualification campaign and his ability to make runs from deep into crossing positions helps side attack and his excellent positioning helps their defending.
Chaouki Ben Saada – Just breaking into the Tunisia team the young defender has impeccable timing for a player of little experience. Works the defensive areas well and can create chances with his crossing ability. Not afraid to put in a tackle he is able to support and cover for his central defenders well.
Tassier Al Jassam (Saudi Arabia) – Young defender Al Jassam is set to be a stalwart in his countries national team. Working effectively and organizing the defense he has old head on young shoulders. He is not only strong but also quick and can bring the ball out from defense to start off attacking situations.
