Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria and South Korea
ARGENTINA
Coach: Diego Maradona
Star player:
Lionel Messi
Previous appearances: 1930 (runners-up), 1934 (first round), 1958 (first round), 1962 (first round), 1966 (quarter-finals), 1974 (second round), 1978 (winners), 1982 (second round), 1986 (winners), 1990 (runners-up), 1994 (second round), 1998 (quarter-finals), 2002 (first round), 2006 (quarter-finals).
Chances: Qualification was a bumpy ride in the extreme and included a 6-1 hammering by Bolivia, but if Maradona can get the balance right between motivator and tactician then Argentina are equipped to reach the semi-finals, or even win it. The key will be whether Messi can replicate his sparkling form for Barcelona in the national term jersey, something he has yet to manage.
GREECE
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Star player:
Theofanis Gekas
Previous appearances: 1994 (first round).
Chances: Rehhagel’s super-defensive tactics astonishingly prevailed in the 2004 European Championships and they secured their second World Cup finals place by beating Ukraine in a play-off last year. A no-thrills passage to the last 16 is a possibility but they are surely too one-dimensional to go any further.
NIGERIA
Coach: Lars Lagerback
Star player:
John Obi Mikel
Previous appearances: 1994 (second round), 1998 (second round), 2002 (first round).
Chances: Internal strife could be the greatest threat to the Super Eagles’ hopes, with Shaibu Amodu sacked after the African Nations Cup and replaced by former Sweden coach Lagerback. Playing on their home continent may just give them the boost they need to progress beyond the group phase though.
SOUTH KOREA
Coach: Huh Jung-moo
Star player: Park Ji-sung
Previous appearances: 1954 (first round), 1986 (first round), 1990 (first round), 1994 (first round), 1998 (first round), 2002 (fourth place), 2006 (first round).
Chances: Better equipped to progress from the group phase this time around than in Germany. They are usually physically very well drilled and that stamina should stand them in good stead, although the conditions are sure to suit European sides down to the ground.
