Thursday 13 March 2014

Group B Preview/Predictions

Germany (Last year: 4th in Group B) - They can't be happy to have ended up in such a tough group again this year. While Germany are obviously a very solid team I wouldn't lump them in with the elite teams. I really don't see anyway Germany can win this tournament but they are a team who has given Laos a lot of trouble before. All it takes is one upset for Germany and they will be through, that's what they will have to hope for.

Laos (Last year: 3rd in Group B) - Laos not making the knockouts stages was one of the biggest upsets of the tournament last year and I would not expect that to happen again. Since last years WCP Cup they have been training 3 times a week at altitude in order to get to where they need to be for this years tournament. Though they have lost Steve Irinici and Chico they have added Josh Northey and Roman Doutkevich.. Look for them to return to being one of the major players in this years tournament.

Poland (Last year: 2nd Overall) - Poland came ever so close to winning the WCP Cup that has been alluding them last year but came up just short. They are best known for their hard work which makes them very hard to break down especially with Michal Bandula playing keeper. They have lost Dane Mcdougall and it doesn't sound as though Brett Levis will be playing but they have made several additions and will have polish god Jay Tomchuk back to full health. If one team takes this tournament more seriously than Laos it's Poland and the two teams and their fans really do not like one another. I cannot wait for that game.

Scotland (Last year: Tied for 4th in Group D) - Scotland is either the team that think they are infinitely better than they are or have a death wish. With the 7th overall pick in the draw they decided to go with Laos.... I have no idea what inspired that. Either way the only thing bigger than Scotland's talk is usually the margin they lose by. I can't fathom a way they have much of a chance in this pool they helped create.

South Korea (Last year: 6th in Group B) - South Korea was clearly one of the worst teams in the tournament last year but I have heard they have picked up some youth players and should be significantly better than they were last year. That being said putting a together a team that's significantly better than what they had last year probably won't even be enough to get them out of the bottom of this group. 

Mike's Predictions

1. Poland
2. Laos
3. Germany
4. Scotland
5. South Korea

This group is all about the games for the big three: Poland, Laos, Germany. It's almost impossible to choose between Poland and Laos but I went with Poland just because I know all of their players will come to all their games as opposed to Laos who could be missing a few guys especially if they get ahead in the group early. Germany is much closer to the top two than they are to the bottom two but they aren't there yet. Scotland has created their own demise and can fully expect their only win to come against South Korea. This won't be South Korea's year.

David's Predictions

1. Poland
2. Laos
3. Germany
4. Scotland
5. South Korea

Poland - Poland may lack skills in certain positions but they work so hard together and for each other that they are a pain to play against. With a healthy Tomchuk, the addition of Bobbi and Sam, and Michal in goal I wouldn't be surprised to see Poland make a run for the trophy this year.

Laos - Laos are losing the core of their midfielders, but they have picked up two dangerous goal scorers.  After missing out on group stage last year I am expecting to see Laos go deep into this years tournament.

Germany - I think Germany have the players to give any team in this tournament trouble. For them to cause an upset I think they need their goalkeeper to stay in goal the whole game. For him to come out and play striker the 2nd half hasn't really worked for them.

Scotland - A lot of young over confident players. Calling out Laos sure made this group interesting though!

South Korea - Had number 10 last year who was pretty talented, hopefully they have added some guys around him to help him out. I just don't see that happening so therefore I see them going winless.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

If all players show for Laos and Poland it will be tough for the other teams to touch them. In the match-up I think Poland may have a bit of an advantage defensively but attacking they are pretty equal. Both goalies have excelled in this format and should make for a great game.
Looking forward, I think these two teams, plus France and ROI, have the best chance to make semis if possible. Canada and Jamaica will be right behind those four and should make for an interesting play-off setting.

Anonymous said...

Germany look like a decent team after crushing Colmbia last night

Anonymous said...

Dude Columbia are bloody awful, just terrible

Anonymous said...

Poland, Laos, and Germany are teams that could go all the way. Scotland and South Korea don't have much of a chance, their only purpose is to determine the goal deferential of the other 3 teams.

Anonymous said...

Are Germany really that good this year? Who did they pick up? If they are the same team from last year I can't see them being that competitive.

Anonymous said...

Germany isn't even good. All the good players they had for that game don't even play on there team. they are going to suck. will not win any games this year.

Unknown said...

Anyone having a friendly tonight and short players?

Anonymous said...

colombia had chris elliot now though, huge difference maker remember that goal he socred

Anonymous said...

saw the poland-canada friendly tonight.

poland looked kind of weak, but i dont think they had many of their regulars there. I only saw two or three players on the bench. one or two questionable players on their team this year that i cant recall seeing in recent years. Definitely not the team i saw last year, but again, that is most likely because many players were absent.

Canada looks to have the same core team, with a few youth pickups. The youth additions are decently skilled, but look like they'll easily get tossed around in the midfield against some of the hard tackling teams, and in big games that actually matter. I think they will quickly learn what division they are playing in. Other than the few youth additions, Canada looks the exact same. Mario was in net for JD, ryan mccallister was absent, and Ahmed is not playing this year. So that was essentially the full WCP Cup team Canada

final score was 3-2 for Canada

Anonymous said...

As a member of Scotland, firstly I would like to mention that we are a slightly better than last year with solid players in most positions. We do lack depth however.
Basically our decision to pick Laos was not at all because we are over confident. We chose them because we would like to play against the best teams to at least make an effort to try and prove ourselves. There would not be much praise at all for a team rated like us, if we were to progress to the knockout rounds beating only weaker teams. Not much point going through the knockout to get killed by a much stronger team either. Therefore if we are ever going to improve, we will have to be beating teams who are considered better than us, hence picking a stronger team to be in our group.
Do I think we can beat these top teams this year? No, but I believe that putting up solid performances against them will give Scotland more respect than beating the worst teams in the cup.

Anonymous said...

I don't think there are any weaker teams than Scotland, I would say you guys are underdogs no matter who you play so picking a top 5 team was just downright idiotic.

Anonymous said...

lets be honest Anon 01:39 Scotland is a lot better than: South Korea, N. Ireland, First Nations, Italy, Greece, Eritrea, Portugal, Norway, Columbia and Saudi Arabia. That's 10 teams right there. That's a middle of the pack team, lots of potential to upset.

Anonymous said...

Why do people come on here and start talking about how amazing teams are after friendly games?

Half of the teams in the friendlies have players from other teams playing. I personally enjoy getting in a few games here and there before the tournament starts.

Anonymous said...

Paco Brown is the best player in the tournament. There I said it.

Anonymous said...

No chance. Craig Hodel is the tournament's best player hands down. Distance second is Gordon Peever.

Anonymous said...

Paco Brown Laxdal is a gong show. He only knows how to be nasty and chase the ladies away. There I said it.

KH

Anonymous said...

Scotland is going to be the worst team in the tournament. So hyped up. The only thing good about Scotland is that cool dude who comes and watches all the games in his kilt. You my friend are amazing.

Anonymous said...

what team do you play for Anon 15:40? you talk like your the best player in the tournament.

Anonymous said...

I play for Poland.

Thanks bud.

Wosik