2) France - France are solid and are expected to win every year. For France to win the WCP this year they are going have to find a way to win the big games. This is what their trouble has been in the past. Key Player - Brett Bachelu
3) Canada - Canada are always strong defensively and work incredibly hard as a team. They have added quality in net which could be the last piece needed to bring them home the title. Key Player - Jarvis
4) Poland - Poland have some strong players but I don't think they use them correctly, Ex: Jay played wing for them last year. He is the best striker in the tournament. For Poland to win the tournament they are going to need Brett Levis to be available for all of playoffs(which I believe he isn't). So therefore I feel they will fall short. Key Player - Michal Bandula
5) Sudan - Last years champs, but from what I've heard some of the players have moved to different teams. I feel that teams will just pack the box and counter attack them since they play very direct long balls into the box. Key Player- Tong Tong
6) ROI - ROI are always strong, if they have recruited a goalie then they may even challenge for the title. Although ROI lost a few players that gives a few guys more playing time and they are more then capable of filling in the spots. Key Player - Nathan Reis
7) Afghanistan - They have a good core, but there depth is why I don't have them as a top 4 team. Young and skilled they should have enough to make it out of a tough group. Key Player - Josip Coric
8) ES - ES had a weak tournament for there standards last year. I feel they will bounce back to a top 8 team this year. They have some very good players with great technique. I just don't think they have the physical presence it takes compete with the other top teams. Key Player- Cesar Santamaria
9) Nigeria - I could rank Nigeria any where from 5th to 15th. You never know what Nigeria side is going to show up. They are capable of beating the best of teams but then they go and lose games they shouldn't. The Ntignee brother's are the head of there attack and are very good I just don't know how many games they will make. Key Player - Abu
10) Jamaica - Placed in the group of death I just don't see Jamaica having the depth or players to make it through the group. Key Player - Mike Collins
11) Germany - Also in the group of death the Germans will find it tough to advance. With the loss of the Patterson's I feel Germany took a massive hit. Key Player - Duncan Mcdougall
12) Serbia - Serbia are a middle of the pack team and I don't see that changing too much. They have a couple young players and an decent midfield. They will maybe make it through to the quarters only because they are in such a weak pool. The game vs. Colombia should decide that. Key Player - Darko
13) Colombia - Colombia are a team that are always there. They have upset some of the top teams but then failed to beat weak teams. The game vs. Serbia is going to be a good one to see who clinches the 2nd playoff spot in the group. Key Player - Paco
14) Norway - Reached their peak in 200? whenever they won. Living in the past and not improving their team. Key Player - Braden Husdal
15) Greece - The Greeks may be one of the most physical teams in the tournament, sadly that doesn't turn into wins for them. They had a good run 2 years ago when they lost a close game to Laos but i feel that was just a one time thing. Key Player - George
16) Italy - I have never played against or seen too much of Italy so I can only assume they will be the same as previous years.
17) Portugal - Portugal seem to have been on the decline in the past few years with their better players leaving to go chase the WCP dream with other countries.
18) Hungary - A new team that I have never seen play, nor do I really know anything about them.
19) Northern Ireland - Based on past WCP I have to assume they will be roughly the same.
20) Scotland - From what I've heard they are young and still searching for their first win in how many years?
21) Somalia - Poor last year and expect the same this year.
22) Djibouti - New team that haven't shown they will manage to compete (based on exhibition games)
23) South Korea - Based on last years tournament, props on them for sticking around and I hope they have made some improvements. They are in the group of death and I think it will not be fun for them.
*** I know I didnt add key players for everyone but thats just because I am not familiar enough with those teams. That is also the reason why some teams didnt get a very long write up.
41 comments:
Nate and Paco are as close to key players as Mike Collins is sober after a soccer game!!! Have no one else noticed how bad Nate is? Controlling the ball is a challenge for the big fellow!! Paco just downright SUCKS!!!
-The Joker
I think that is a pretty solid power ranking overall. I posted one a little while ago and I don't think I had many teams more than 1 or 2 spots different than your rankings.
So given these rankings, which group do you guys think is the Group of Death? It seems like group B has the strongest claim for it.
Group A -
Likely has the best odds of housing the tournament champion and it would not be a shock to see the two teams coming out of this pool face off in the final. However, there are really only three of the five teams that are competitive. This means each team really only has two significant games before the playoff round, which may have an impact on how they play later on. given this as well as one less game, they could come out of it being more fresh and healthy than other teams, but they may not be in top form either.
Group B -
I can't see anyone giving Laos much of a test in this pool, but after that it's a three-way dog-fight for the second spot. Afghanistan, Jamaica and Germany will all have a tough road ahead if they want to move on. They are going to have to keep their scores against Laos as close as possible and they will all need to be running up the scores on the two weak teams. Whoever plays the hardest all three weeks before the playoffs should move on. If they can remain fairly healthy, they will probably have the easiest test for a 2nd place team in the quarters, playing first place from the weakest pool.
Pool C -
There are really only two strong teams in this pool, but decent teams all the way down. I would not be surprised if Canada and Poland come out of this pool in great form as there are no Korea/Somalia/Djibouti type teams to play against. Hungary is the weakest in the pool but I even expect them to at least stay competitive in most of their games. I expect a lot of good games in this pool but I don't forsee anyone but Canada and Poland moving on.
Group D -
ROI could have been at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time I can remember, had they drawn any other pool. Teams like ES, Afghanistan, Jamaica and Germany would have loved to drawn a pool like this. There will still be a battle to capture that second spot between Colombia, Serbia and maybe even Portugal... But the same could have been said for anyone ranked up to 18th on DB's list had they drawn this pool. Good luck vs Laos in the quarters, whoever makes it through.
Brett injured hes out of the tournament...and why are you blocking my comments david
Which Brett is injured?
Pretty good rankings mr. brown. This is probably the least bias insight you have ever given on here. I agree with your top 3, and 4 through 11 are all the teams I would have put in there, just not necesarily in the same order.
-DJ Cacique
Brett bachelu is injured
I am not sure why ES is being hyped up to be so strong. They have Rolfe, Cesar, and Jerson (Who isn't very good but does score often), past that they are weak with players like Jhanzeb (Who claims to be decent by his previous posts) and Anibal.
Their goalie is a big lad who at times is good, but for the most part isn't. I never knew carrying 3 good players would make them better than ROI? Same could be said about Afghanistan and Jamaica. Yes Jamaica made some additions, as they needed them as how does Craig Hodel play CM blows my mind.
I actually think ROI has to possibility of being better IF, and this is a big IF by the sounds of it, they manage to get a goalie that is decent.
By the way not anonymous is Braden Husdal so obviously he has a dislike for ROI. Surprised he isn't pumping up Norway as per usual.
How is Serbia ranked so high? Didn't they barely muster up a tie against Scotland last year? No way are they in the top 15.
No one is more important to Jamaica at this stage than Kevin. He is still capable of controling a game even if it is just in spurts. He has not lost his touch and mind for the game. He is a shell of his prime days for speed and endurance but in a 50 min running game he still has the goods. He also is the player/coach and heart of that team.
Collins is a very good addition for Jamaica and underrated in this tourney due to people not liking him. He will score and create goals for Jamaica and also has the physical stature that you need to be successful in a small crowed field.
To me the key player is the one your team would be the least successful if you remove them from the roster. In this case it is still Kevin.
Also just add to add to my Jamaica stuff. It is rather unfortunate they have drawn the pool they have. The roster on paper is good enough to be in the quarter finals, however they have drawn a tough pool and may not make it out.
DG
Who would you trade Serbia with anon?
-DB
Serbia would rank with Italy/Portugal in my mind. At least Greece can come up with a big upset here and there and Norway has a few decent players to be competitive with some of the top 10 teams. There's no way a team that loses to a brutal Botswana and can only tie an equally brutal Scotland should be in the top 15. I just don't see Serbia as a potentially on the verge of top 10, even coming out of a weaker pool that they are in unless they made massive upgrades on last year and you include bonus points for the cheap beer and Serb burger at the Serbian Club.
There was no bias towards Norway in my entire comment. I am not Braden and really, it doesn't matter who I am. Rather than have people tell me that I am a horrible soccer player and that my opinion isn't valid, the way things go with anyone who attaches a name to a comment, if I just remain anonymous then things don't have to resort to moronic arguments about who's better.. most of you probably are better than me.
I question the validity of any name that anyone even uses on here anyways, as anyone could come in and sign their name as Paco or Darko. I just like coming on these blogs to learn more about other teams and to over-analyze every aspect of the tournament, because that is how sports work... 1 month of analysis followed by a few hours of game time, followed by more analysis.
There have been a few posts that have been made by certain individuals. Paco's ego is making those posts! Craig Hodel did bitch and complain like a little school girl, and Darko is a regular on this site! The other joker is Kirk Evans and the Saskatoon idiots actually post their names ever since Julio started it a few years back. Look like we Regina people like to post anonymously and be idiots.
Paco I heard that you are the worst player on the planet!!!! Number 2 on the list is your pal Stinky Man Juan Sanchez!
-The Joker
ok, yeah, thanks braden
You know what makes me mad? All these Saskatoon guys on here talking about this tournament like they belong here! This is a Regina tournament and we need to keep these Saskatoon players away from it! I can't wait for this tournament to begin as I am going to shut up every critic on this site. I hope we get a chance to play ROI as I will not only show Nate what's up, I am coming for Julio as well. I am going to do some damage this tournament and I hope you losers from Saskatoon are taking notes.
Craig Hodel
People posting with fake names could not be more obvious
Who is Craig Hodel? I'm sorry but I don't know who you are, or else I'd be concerned about you showing me "what's up".
-Nate
Anon 19:22 if that was the case why didn't you post with your name?
Craig Hodel HAHA you are the biggest joke on this site now!!!! Congrats LOSER you've just passed Paco and Darko. Who do you think you are?!?!
Atleast Paco has played at a "high level", but the furthest you've played in bench warmer in Regina Soccer!!! Although I'd love to see you try to show anyone what's up, I am almost positive that Nate would swat you away like a pesky fly. To say the least Nate isn't intimidating, he is just very robust.
-The Joker
Nate: I wouldn't concern myself with Craig Hodel. Hodel is the type of guy that will never say anything to your face. He will say things behind people's backs or behind a computer screen. The moment you have Hodel in front of you he shrinks down to size and shows his true colours.
Craig: I honestly don't know who you think you are? You not a good player nor intimidating by any means. Stick to talking behind people's back and stop embarrassing yourself.
Does anyone else just want to backhand Hodel back to reality so he shuts his mouth? I never liked the guy but I think in his mind he really believes he is a popular guy in Regina soccer.
To Craig: The "it's Mine!" attitude is the reason that Regina soccer is light years away from Saskatoon soccer. RSA and Community not working together, clubs not working together, etc. Us Regina folks should be embracing any out of town players that come and make this tournament better and push us to play at a higher level. If you want to play in some shitty rec tournament with unskilled players enter a Div. 6 men's tournament.
"The joker",
In no way did my post require a name attached to it. Attaching a name would only increase the validity of my statement, because it probably wouldnt be mine
-Vida Guerra
Ya I also heard big Nathan Reis is a Lakers fan!!! LOL!
Div.6 would be too much quality for Hodel. Honestly this guy is a nobody. Enough comments wasted on him. The guy was probably sick of being seen as a nobody and is making a play for attention.
Watching Lakers, eating lard.
-Nate
Hey I know what would be fun...sit around on a Friday night and make ten posts in a row with fake names, or the joker, that aren't even funny.
Give it up dork and get a new hobby please.
Thanks bro,
Riggs
Jhanzeb isn't playing he broke his arm. He was going to play on afghan this year.
Summers
As a long time friend of Craig Hodel, I would like to express that I really do not think he is posting, let alone reading this blog. The comments posted under his name do not reflect his character in any way.
Looking forward to this years tourney!
Les Bleus!!!
Tough to believe that Gord as Hodel's comment towards Julio seemed like it was something Hodel would say. In turn it leads me to believe that many of these other posts could easily be him.
Craig Hodel is a joke and Gordie Peever is a suck up. Can we leave it at that and move on already? Both guys will never openly admit to the things they say so why even bother.
Les Bleus, shut it Gordie you jesus looking hippy, get a hair cut!
Sorry Peever but I can't give you credibility on your posts. You are the type of guy that says something to someone's face and says something differently when they turn around. I've known you for years and you've been the exact same way. I have no respect for people like your or Craig Hodel. Although disliked by many I have more respect for Mike Collins as he sticks to what he says and you don't have to second guess his character. A good example is how he straight up said Diya sucks and I could see him saying that directly to Diya's face.
hahaha good stuff! Peace be with you!
ES is so full of hype. Adam Rolfe is a skinny little punk with no skill. Lame.
Mike I think you should eliminate anything that's not related to wcp because your blog is becoming a joke. I know a lot of ppl come hear to get reviews not to read all these nonsense personal attacks, I mean if you don't like some one that's your choice we don't need to know about it, lots of cowards come here and hide behind their computers so don't give them any time or attention, anything you see being said to someone just pls don post it for the tournaments sake, I like the topics sofar
Hahah I love WCP Cup trash talk. Craig and Peev are my boys and I back all they say. But I wish I was there to rep the new Reggae Boyz!
Lee Mooney has the rankest breath out of all the players on ROI. He wins the stinky breath award. Someone please give that idiot a mint or two when we are at the games. It's quite gross.
-Nate
We, ROI, have actually taken steps to solve the problem of my bad breath this year. Whilst all the othe players on our team will receive water and energy drinks at each game, waiting in my seat in the dressing room will an industrial sized bucket of Bubbilicious and a 40 of Listerine. I appreciate your guys' concern for the matter and my father has made it clear that if we don't get rid of this disgusting breath of mine I will be demoted to water boy and be forced to wear a SARS mask at each game.
- Lee
Mooney why don't you wear a ball cap too, because your hair looks gross and greasy.
This blog is stupid and needs to get it's facts straight. I know Scotland isn't a good team but they won games and finished 3rd in their pool last year so at least get that right
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