Black Stars and the World Cup (Reality Check)

?KK?s KORNER? ? The Black Stars ??..and the World Cup (Reality Check)

Well folks, in our media governed world, we?ve heard about nothing but the world cup for the last 8 weeks. There have been 84 friendly matches played by the various World Cup teams in the last few weeks, as they finalise their preparations.

After a disappointing Africa Cup campaign, our beloved Black Stars did themselves proud in achieving two very good results in beating Jamaica and South Korea. The ?comedies? are now over ? and the real games begin.

On paper it?s so easy to predict ?examples from day 1 - Germany 4, Costa Rica 2 - but as always there will be some shocks ? Ecuador 2 Poland 0.

As coined in the internet chat rooms ? IMHO (In my Humble opinion), based on pedigree and current form, these are my predictions for the competition.

 SECOND ROUND
 Group	Teams to qualify	Outsiders
 A	Germany , Poland	Ecuador (instead of Poland)  
 B	England, Sweden	
 C	Argentina, Holland	Ivory Coast (instead of Holland)
 D	Portugal, Mexico	
 E	Italy, Czech Republic	
 F	Brazil, Australia	
 G	France, Switzerland	South Korea (instead of Switzerland)
 H	Spain , Ukraine	
 
 QUARTER FINALS
 Teams to qualify
 A	Germany  vs Argentina
 B	Italy vs France
 C	England vs Holland
 D	Brazil vs Ukraine
 
 SEMI FINALS
 Argentina vs Italy
 England vs Brazil 

At the Semi-Final stage, the ?rules? that govern football are no longer applicable, and this is where players make history and become legends. It?s the one who wants it most that will get it. For teams who reach the semi-final, the Accra Hearts of Oak motto describes what the approach should be???. Never Say Die, until the bones are rotten.

Do remember that despite all the historical analysis and computer modelling, football is really about 11 against 11 on the day, with strong emotions involved, careless mistakes occurring sometimes, potential for injuries which needs lots of luck ? but above all individual and collective desire - so any thing is possible.

Apparently, the computers have rated the Czechs as the likely winners based on statistics.

SO WHY NOT THE BLACK STARS ?

I have no doubt that the stars will shine this world cup. The players are really working for each other and the team spirit is superb. We have such wonderful talent that, man for man, we can definitely hold our own.

Unfortunately, this raw talent and abundant skill is not enough. ?World class? football today involves tactics, strategy, and technical excellence, and mistakes get severely punished. Defensively we are hugely exposed. Our ability to deal with a structured aerial attack is very poor indeed. Our defending and positional play at set pieces is regrettably, below par.

And that my brothers and sisters is our Achilles heel.

Nevertheless the boys will do Ghana proud, and we may even cause a few shocks. But every set piece (corner and free-kick) around the box will be a huge problem for us. The second strike (i.e. when the free-kick is half cleared) actually will cause us more danger and result in goals against us.

So there we are. With regards the overall world cup view, in summary, it is the usual suspects. Brazil look absolutely awesome in attack, however their defence is suspect under sustained pressure, so there is a reasonably large chink in their armour.

Argentina, Italy, and England are predictable, will play it tight and careful, but are all very capable of beating any team on their day.

I expect Brazil to win it, but have a sneaking suspicion that England may get lucky.

Ivory Coast will do well and if there are any really extraordinary shocks from Africa, it could be the Ivory Coast. I expect Arouna Kone to shine.

Well, lets support the Black Stars 150% and lets enjoy our first exposure on the World scene. Well done to the Black Stars for their excellent achievement.