World Cup Group B preview

GROUP B

Argentina

Greece

South Korea

After a gruelling qualification campaign, Argentina have been handed a relatively comfortable group at the 2010 World Cup. Diego Maradona’s side shouldn’t fear the Greeks, Nigerians or Koreans with their vast resources. The only stumbling block could be if Maradona’s eccentric squad selections continue. Greece are appearing in only their second World Cup and their first since 1994. The 2004 European Champions can not be underestimated but a lack of goalscoring prowess combined with playing on another continent may count against them in the long run.

South Korea have impressed at recent World Cups with a 4th placed finish at the 2002 tournament being their most notable success. However, this triumph came in their own country and they have failed to reproduce that sort of pedigree since. With the competition being held in Africa, Korea may just come up short this time around. Nigeria have always promised much at the world’s biggest football tournament but have failed to deliver with some talented resources at their disposal. They only narrowly qualified for the tournament ahead of Tunisia and are perhaps not quite as strong as some of the other African nations. Nevertheless, with the competition being held in Africa, they might just fancy their chances of progressing on known soil.

TEAM – Argentina

MANAGER – Diego Maradona

QUALIFIED – 4th in South America

STAR PLAYER - Lionel Messi

VERDICT – Qualified