June 6: Five Days To Go
The Brazilians are the one and only nation to win the trophy outwith their own continent (in Sweden in 1958 and in Japan in 2002) but there is a growing feeling in Argentina that Diego Maradona can inspire his men to do the business. All of which, remembering they could do no better than finish fourth in the South American qualifying group and at one point looked like missing out altogether, puzzles me. Maradona's coaching credentials are open to question - he flopped at Mandiyu and Racing Club - and his man management skills leave much to be desired.
While ther rest of the world looks upon Lionel Messi as the Argies' main man, Maradona is strangely unconvinced. In the 2006 quarter-final against Germany, he led a media campaign to see Richard Gere lookaline Martin Palermo preferred to Messi and, when a sending off forced a team reshuffle, the boy wonder was left kicking his heels on the bench. Argentina then lost on penalties.
Any reluctance to fully implement Messi's skills this time around would be unforgiveable - and totally incomprehensible! - but, by leaving out Inter Milan stats Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, Maradona has shown he is unperturbed by public opinion. The Argentinians don't take too kindly to failure so Diego had better hope he calls this one right.
They look a good bet to win Group B ahead of Greece, Nigeria and South Korea, with a possible clash with Uruguay in the second round. In Group A alongside France, Mexico and South Africa, the Uruguayans face a bit of a battle to make it into the knock-out stages.
Despite having won the thing twice, Uruguay are eternal World Cup under-achievers. Their successes in 1930 and 1950 and so long ago they are inconsequential but, with Diego Forlan in tip top form, they could be about to have their best showing since finishing third in 1970.
Uruguay meet France on the opening day, just a few hours after South Africa kick off against Mexico, and both results will be huge indicators of how the group might pan out. I reckon France will win it, with Uruguay edging out the hosts in second place.
Chile and Paraguay are in South Africa purely to make up the numbers. By finishing second in the South American qualifying group, the Chileans may have peaked a year too early. I'd expect them to take care of Honduras, then their future could be decided by how they do against Switzerland. Facing Spain in their final fixture, they won't want to be needing a miracle against the European Champions but I reckon that is the plight they will face.
The dubious prize for finishing runners-up in Group H is the likelihood of a meeting with and a gubbing from Brazil.
Paraguay open up against Italy on June 14 but they might fancy themselves to pick up points against Slovakia and New Zealand to scrape through and line up against Holland in the last sixteen.
By the time we reach the quarter-final stage I'd expect only Brazil and Argentina to be flying the flag for South America. Indeed, it would not surprise me one little bit if the pair are on a collision course for the final on July 11.
Tomorrow: BEWARE OF THE UNDERDOG.