Laos- Laos are past champions and last years runners up. Expect Laos to continue their tradition of success. Reports vary on whether Northey will be in attendance or not so that could make a difference. However, even if he is a no show Chicolicious may be just the pickup required for Laos to get their championship swag back.
Afghanistan- Afghanistan proved themselves a competitive team last year surprising some with their quality and discipline. I would look for them to try and throw a major wrench into this group and are a dark horse to make it through. Also worth noting is that this year they have lost Chicolicious so I would not expect them to have the same fanfare or commercial appeal as they did last year.
South Korea- Unless South Korea have made major, major upgrades they are going to take a walloping in this group. As the big boys look to increase their plus minus in this group look at them to focus on South Korea. This could get ugly.
Northern Ireland- I recently watched Northern Ireland play in the Men's RSA tournament and I can't say I was overly impressed. Just not a lot of quality out there. Had they drawn another group, D for example, they may have stood a chance but this is to big a hill for them to climb.
Germany- Where to start here? They annoy me, but I suppose that has nothing to do with their tournament prospects. All in all they are a solid team. Might be slightly weakened if they lose the rights battle for the Patterson twins but they are also actively so they may be able to lessen the blow. Either way they will be right in it come time for knockout stages. Should make this group very interesting.
Jamaica- Every year you seem to think this could be the year Jamaica makes a run for the title and every year they disappoint. Typically what is on show is poor discipline and shaky defending and an out and out ineptitude. This may actually be the year that changes. Jamaica has made several big name signings and they have not been drawn with Canada. Now let's see what they can do.
Predictions
Mike
1. Laos
2. Germany
3. Jamaica
4. Afghanistan
5. Northern Ireland
6. South Korea
Laos are the deepest and most talented team in this group so it is hard to choose against them coming in 1st. What it came down to next was Jamaica against Germany and I have Germany irritating their way to the knockout stages. Afghanistan could mess up somebodies playoff hopes but I don't quite see them beating any of the top 3. After Afghanistan the drop off to Northern Ireland is significant and the drop off from Northern Ireland to South Korea maybe even more so.
David
1. Laos
2. Jamaica
3. Afghanistan
4. Germany
5. Northern Ireland
6. South Korea
Laos are consistently making it into the finals so its hard not to have them coming out first in this group. Jamaica, Germany and Afghanistan will be battling for 2nd. Jamaica made some off season moves so maybe they can make it into playoffs this year. Afghanistan lost Chico but have made some good pick ups. Germany are always tough but if they lose the Pattersons I just cant see them advancing. I don't know much about Northern Ireland or South Korea so I just placed them based on previous WCP results.
8 comments:
Too much attention is put on "Chico"! Afgahn will be better without him as he is a joke off and on the field. I am still shocked how a team like Laos is even good in this tournament. Myrah, Ailsby, and Anthony are some of the worst players I have ever seen.
Anthony thinks he is a flashy player, but he has the first touch of a mule. Don't believe me? Watch his skills on the pitch, he is bruuuutaaalll!Myrah is a try hard who just runs around whining and complaining. He should play on Germany or France.
GoW
well , well its GoW, i know for a fact hes on acid
Julio
ps i have gained 200 pounds
What does this David Brown know? hes an Arsenal fan, which makes his soccer IQ, 0. heres whats really going to happend
Germany
Laos
South korea
Jamaica
Afghan
NI
I'm agreeing with DB on this one. Laos has been in the final the last 3 or 4 straight years, right? And adding a player like Chico should just add at bit more strength to their team... although there is always the risk of having the whole Chicolicious frenzy become a bit of a distraction for the team. I like to see new teams rise up and knock the long term powerhouses off of their pedestals, so I am looking for possibilities, but ultimately Laos should still be too strong.
From what I hear about Jamaica this year, their added strength should help them get through, but with Jamaica you never know what team you will see. They will beat the best and lose to the worst, regardless of what you see on paper.
Afghanistan should still be strong, and I see them finishing ahead of Germany because Germany can never seem to win when it counts.
Northern Ireland has fallen far from its couple years of middle-of-the-pack, capable-of-surprising-a-good-team level. They will struggle to keep it close against anyone, except South Korea whose only contribution this year, barring a major influx of talent, will likely be to help see which team can rack up the largest goal differential in case the top 4 end up in any sort of tie.
Germany is going to suck this year. Losing the pattersons will be their downfall
if anything getting rid of the pattersons will help Germany, overrated forsure!
Germany is keeping the Pattersons. They have a good team and they'll go thru.
Germany
Laos
Jamaica
NI
Korea
Afghan
Germany signed Krause
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