2002 Group Information Page

2002 OTHER GROUPS Links: Home World Cup Resource Dallas Burn Music, Etc. WC 2002 Resource Other Groups Schedule General K/J Info Group D USA Korea Portugal Poland

As far as the other groups go, here are the schedules, sites and comments for each (FIFA Ranking as of 12-01). Also for each team where I can find it, I have the official page, how the team qualified for the World Cup, FIFA's WC page for the team and CNNSI's page for the team. A good number of the official pages are not in English -- sorry about that. Where a team had to win a playoff as a part of qualification, you will see a link for both the general qualification round and the playoff.

Most recently -- see my Predictions ! (I am in NO way responsible for any wagers made on these predictions -- I HIGHLY recommend against it!)

Click here for a complete look at the schedule .
Click here for the overall FIFA World Ranking .
Also, check out the stadium guide , as well as the World Cup (basic) Statistics page.

Group A : France, Denmark, Uruguay, Senegal Group E : Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon

Group B : Spain, Paraguay, Slovenia, South Africa Group F : Argentina, England, Sweden, Nigeria

Group C : Brazil, Turkey, Costa Rica, China Group G : Italy, Mexico, Croatia, Ecuador

Group D : Portugal, USA, Poland, Korea Group H : Belgium, Russia, Japan, Tunisia

Group A -- France (1) v. Senegal (67), Seoul, 5-31; Uruguay (24) v. Denmark (17), Ulsan, 6-1; France v. Uruguay, Busan, 6-6; Denmark v. Senegal, Daegu, 6-6; France v. Denmark, Incheon, 6-11; Uruguay v. Senegal, Suwon, 6-11.

What is interesting here is that the group may be decided on Matchday One -- if either Uruguay or Denmark can win that first game, it could be smooth sailing for that team the rest of the way. Especially as far as Uruguary is concerned, who play France next and would be all but done if they lose both games.

Group B -- Spain (7) v. Slovenia (27), Gwanju, 6-2; Paraguay (14) v. South Africa (34), Busan, 6-2; Spain v. Paraguay, Jeonju, 6-7; South Africa v. Slovenia, Daegu, 6-8; South Africa v. Spain, Daejeon, 6-12, Slovenia v. Paraguay, 6-12.

With Spain's recent struggles to emerge from the Group Stage, this group is somewhat wide open. If Paraguay comes in playing well as they did in France, Spain may not be able to afford a mistake against Slovenia or South Africa.

Group C -- Brazil (3) v. Turkey (23), Ulsan, 6-3; China (55) v. Costa Rica (31), Gwanju, 6-4; Brazil v. China, Seogwipo, 6-8; Turkey v. Costa Rica, Incheon, 6-9; Costa Rica v. Brazil, Suwon, 6-13; Turkey v. China, Seoul, 6-13.

Brazil and Costa Rica seem to have a leg up here, although Turkey and China have the potential to make things difficult for them if they aren't careful. While China has not been a World Cup giant over the years, they will be playing in front of a large number of countrymen (and women) and could very well have at least one surprise in store for their opponents. Turkey comes into the World Cup as no slouch, either. Experience could play a large factor here.

(*) I've had some problems with that link, although it is the correct link.
($) Requires some downloads re: Chinese text, etc.

Group D

Korea Republic (43) vs Poland (33), Busan, 6-4; United States vs Portugal (4), Suwon, 6-5; Korea Republic vs United States, Daegu, 6-10; Portugal vs Poland, Jeonju, 6-10; Portugal vs Korea Republic, Incheon, 6-14; Poland vs United States, Daejeon, 6-14.

What looks like a runaway for the favorite and a mad scramble for the rest will probably be closer than anticipated. All four teams need to start strong for different reasons -- Portugal to keep from losing focus, Korea as the host, Poland because they play Portugal second and the USA because a drubbing at the hands of Portugal would make things tighter if it comes down to tie-breakers.

Also, since the second place team from this group in all likelihood gets Italy, if there is any chance of taking Portugal down... Or, barring either an upset of epic proportions or a complete collapse by the Azzurri, the second place team enjoys making it out of the group phase and goes home.

Also, check out the projected lineups for all Group D matches.

For more on Group G, see the section here as well as the Group G page.

See the individual team pages for a more detailed commentary.
USA | Korea | Portugal | Poland

Group E -- Germany (11) v. Saudi Arabia (30), Sapporo, 6-1; Ireland (18) v. Cameroon (38), Niigata, 6-1; Germany v. Ireland, Ibaraki, 6-5; Cameroon v. Saudi Arabia, Saitama, 6-6; Cameroon v. Germany, Shizuoka, 6-11; Saudi Arabia v. Ireland, Yokohama, 6-11.

What a great group. This should be some wide open, fun soccer to watch. Hopefully Ireland and Germany don't pack it in and ruin everything. %-) This group depends on which Germany shows up -- the one that got spanked by England or the one that spanked the Ukraine -- and how the rest of the group reacts to that.

DYK? -- Did you know that Ireland came in second to Portugal only on goal differential?

Group F (the Group of Death, Part I) -- Argentina (2) v. Nigeria (40), Ibaraki, 6-2; England (10) v. Sweden (16), Saitama, 6-2; Sweden v. Nigeria, Kobe, 6-7; Argentina v. England, Sapporo, 6-7; Sweden v. Argentina, Miyagi, 6-12; England v. Nigeria, Osaka, 6-12.

This contains the Match of the Group Stage -- England v. Argentina, with all the history behind it. Between that matchup, the irony of England's Sweedish coach v. Sweden to open the group and the Nigerians who seem to throw out at least one upset a world cup, this is definitely the most intriguing group. Argentina is the favorite, and if England can maintain the form they had in Germany, they should advance as well. But "should" is not "will." It will be VERY interesting to see how this group comes out.

Further note -- the team that comes in second in the group starts off against the first place team from Group A, which will barring an upset, be France. Not the best way to start off a run for the cup, huh?

(%) Uhm... not real helpful. If you find another one of note, please let me know.

Group G (the Group of Death, Part II) -- Italy (6) v. Ecuador (37), Sapporo, 6-3; Croatia (19) v. Mexico (9), Niigata, 6-3; Italy v. Croatia, Ibaraki, 6-8; Mexico v. Ecuador, Miyagi, 6-9; Mexico v. Italy, Oita, 6-13; Ecuador v. Croatia, Yokohama, 6-13.

This group is as closely balanced as any group in '02. Based solely on the FIFA Rankings (and while I don't have a lot of faith in them, what else can you use?) they average just below Group F. Unless Italy completely blows by Ecuador, the key game here is going to be Mexico-Croatia, especially for Croatia, who play Italy in Matchday Two. Like Uruguay in Group A, if Croatia doesn't win against Mexico, they could find themselves two and out real quick. Mexico, IMHO, needs Blanco to be successful.

(#) Currently under construction, but will probably be the same link once it is up and running.

Click here for more detail on Group G .

Group H -- Japan (35) v. Belgium (20), Saitama, 6-4; Russia (22) v. Tunisia (28), Kobe, 6-5; Japan v. Russia, Yokohama, 6-9; Tunisia v. Belgium, Oita, 6-10; Belgium v. Russia, Shizuoka, 6-14; Tunisia v. Japan, Osaka, 6-14.

'Wide open' is what I call this group. Japan is inexperienced enough to allow even Tunisia into the mix, whereas Belgium and Russia have not shown themselves strong enough to hold anyone back. Due to the location (Far East) I think you will see Japan and Russia have the most success in this group as that may prove to be the deciding edge.

(**) Requires some downloads re: Japanese text, etc.

In order of interest, I think the following groups will be fun to watch: Group F, G, E, B, A and C. Just one fellow's opinion here, but I think that Costa Rica might make it to the second round. Groups F and G have the potential to produce some incredible football. Group E is just going to be fun to watch with all of the teams outside Germany likeable (as in, not good enough that there are that many of those who don't want them to advance.)

It will be facinating to watch the games China play -- almost a "third host."

CW is that France, Italy and Argentina are favorites to win the Cup in '02.

As far as how the knockout phase goes, I think you will see some of the following (based mostly on the rankings):

Round of 16 -- Germany-Paraguay, Italy-Poland/USA/Korea, France-England, Brazil-Japan/Belgium, Spain-Ireland, Portugal-Mexico, Argentina-Denmark, Russia-Turkey/Costa Rica/China.

Quarterfinals -- Germany-Italy, France-Brazil, Spain-Portugal, Argentina-Russia

Semifinals -- Italy-Portugal, France-Argentina

Final -- France-Italy

Winner -- France

Comments -- boy, Argentina has a pretty easy road until France. Can they overcome it this time? My gut tells me no. France-Brazil in the quarters should be interesting. Unless England can pull off the upset and come out of group as the No. 1 seed, they fall in the Round of 16. If they can get the No. 1 seed, though, THEY get the easy road until playing France in the Semis instead of Argentina, and who knows how they might do with that head of steam?

I can't seem to find a problem with France that would be enough to unseat them. Now, a lot can happen in five months, but unless another team catches fire, they will be hard to beat.

Links: Home WC Resource USA Korea Portugal Poland Other Groups Schedule General K/J Info Dallas Burn Music, Etc.

Group A : France, Denmark, Uruguay, Senegal	Group E : Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon
Group B : Spain, Paraguay, Slovenia, South Africa	Group F : Argentina, England, Sweden, Nigeria
Group C : Brazil, Turkey, Costa Rica, China	Group G : Italy, Mexico, Croatia, Ecuador
Group D : Portugal, USA, Poland, Korea	Group H : Belgium, Russia, Japan, Tunisia