By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Jun 11, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The World Cup may be just a year away, but more importantly for South Africa right now is that the Confederations Cup is just days away.
The eight-team tournament isn’t only a chance to see the World’s greatest national teams compete, but will be used as a dress rehearsal for organizers. Everything from the stadiums and security to hotels and mass transit will be put to the test over the next few weeks.
“Don’t just listen to our words, but judge us by what we have delivered,” said Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the South African 2010 World Cup Organizing Committee during a visit in New York last month.
FIFA has used the Confederations Cup as a dry run for the World Cup on three previous occasions. This time, South Africa hopes to put to rest criticisms that have dogged organizers over the past few years, most notably, that the country isn’t prepared to host such a large event and accommodate the 300,000 fans from across the globe that are expected to visit for next summer’s extravaganza.
“South Africa has hosted many major events. All of them successful, all of them without a single incident," said Jordaan.
As for the Confederations Cup, which opens on June 14, the competition will involve the six Confederation winners (Spain, Brazil, Egypt, New Zealand, Iraq and the United States), along with reigning World Cup champion Italy and host nation South Africa.
The tournament – an important test ahead of next year’s World Cup – is divided into two groups of four teams. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals. The winners will meet in the final on June 28th.
Here is a team-by-team guide:
Group A
Spain
The European champions have never won a senior FIFA tournament and this could very well be their year. Among the favorites to win the Confederations Cup, Spain remains FIFA’s No. 1-ranked team in the world and features a star-studded roster, including defender Marcos Senna and striker Fernando Torres. A mature and very competitive bunch, Spain has shown that it has the discipline, not to mention the talent, to go far at a tournament. Under coach Vicente Del Bosque (who took over last summer following the retirement of the legendary Luis Aragones), Spain will need to win it all to prove it isn’t a one-trick pony.
Prediction: Final
South Africa
Host nations have traditionally fared well at this competition. Mexico won it in 1999, France in 2003 and Japan lost in the 2001 final. The Bafana Bafana were drawn in the easiest of the two groups -- and coupled with the home support -- can potentially reach the semifinals. After failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and the 2010 African Nations Cup, South Africa hopes to buck the criticism by turning in a solid performance over the next few weeks. Under coach Joel Santana, the team has undergone some drastic changes. Gone is 31-year-old Benni McCarthy (he often skipped practice) and in his place is 23-year-old Bernard Parker. Santana, who took over last year following the exit of fellow Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, must get results if he wants to hang on to his job. For South Africa, pride will be on the line at this tournament. Whether it can win some games on home soil and become a Cinderella team remains to be seen.
Prediction: Semifinals
Iraq
The war-torn nation of Iraq is looking once again to celebrate after the country’s fairytale run at the 2007 Asian Cup. The team, coached by former US team coach Bora Milutinovic, is looking to build on the success of winning that tournament. The post-Saddam Hussein years have not been easy for Iraq, but its national team has plenty of reason to rejoice. A strong youth system (Iraq won the 2000 Asian Youth Championship and finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Games) has allowed the senior side to grow in recent years. The core of Iraq's current team is made up of players who starred on those various youth squads. The team’s creative and hard-working midfield is based around the talents of Nashat Akram, while Bassim Abbas is the rock on which a solid defense has been put together. What will hurt them in the end is inconsistency, although Milutinovic has been known to pull off a few miracles. The team was bounced out of World Cup qualifying and needs a good showing over the coming weeks to make their countryman smile.
Prediction: First round elimination
New Zealand
Although they will be making a third Confederations Cup appearance, New Zealand has never secured a point, going 0-6. Under coach Ricki Herbert, the team could qualify for next year’s World Cup (now that Australia has moved over to the Asian group). The majority of the roster plays in Australia’s A-League, with the exception of a few players. The Kiwis were impressive in their World Cup qualifiers last year, winning five matches in a row, while striker Shane Smeltz set a national team scoring record by finding the back of the net in six consecutive games. Smeltz is in great form, having claimed this season's A-League Player of the Year award, and his partnership with Celtic’s Chris Killen has helped Herbert assemble a decent side. Given the weak group, the Kiwis may actually earn a point.
Prediction: First round elimination
Group B
Brazil
The reigning Copa America champions enter every tournament as favorites. After getting their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the wrong foot, the Selecao remain on pace to reach the finals and maintain their unique record of being the only national team to have participated at every World Cup. Under coach Dunga, a World Cup winner with the team as a player at USA ’94, Brazil features a star-studded roster, including midfielder Robinho and former AC Milan striker Kaka (he was recently sold to Real Madrid). The Brazilians are also strong defensively – something that has caused Dunga to endure some criticism since he often abandons the team’s traditional jogo bonito – with Inter Milan’s Julio Cesar emerging as one of the world’s greatest goalkeepers. The five-time World Cup champions – and winners of the Confederations Cup in 1997 and 2005 – will look to add more silverware to their already-crowded trophy case. Don’t be surprised if they do.
Prediction: Final
Italy
The World Cup champs are on a mission to restore their good name. Marcello Lippi will again coach the Azzurri (he managed them to the title in 2006) after he took over for Roberto Donadoni last year following Italy’s failure to advance past the quarterfinals of Euro 2008. Since that defeat to Spain on penalties, the four-time World Cup champions have made progress – mostly by defeating weak teams (like last week’s 3-0 romp o Northern Ireland) – but have had a tough time against tougher teams (like its 2-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly this past February in London). The team’s backbone is composed of players who led Italy to the World Cup (such as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Fabio Cannavaro and midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo) and a few new faces (such as New Jersey-born striker Giuseppe Rossi). Italy’s notoriously tight defense and ability to exploit the counterattack makes them one of the most-feared teams at this tournament. For Italy, this will be its first Confederations Cup appearance. Just how seriously it will take it remains to be seen. If anything, the encounter against Brazil should bring out their A-game.
Prediction: Semifinals
United States
The Americans travel to South Africa as winners of the 2007 Gold Cup. The US plays Italy on June 15 for the first time since their 1-1 first round draw at the 2006 World Cup. Three days later, the Americans play Brazil for the third time ever at the Confederations Cup – losing 1-0 in both 1999 and 2003. Brazil has beaten the US 12 out of the 13 times the sides have met. The Americans close the group on June 21 against Egypt. The US plays the North Africans for the first time in 22 years in a game that the Americans may actually win. Could the US -- featuring a mix of MLS-based players and a handful playing abroad -- emerge as a Cinderella team? Unfortunately, the tough draw will limit the USA’s ability to advance.
Egypt
An African nation has never won the Confederations Cup – and do not count on Egypt to change that over the coming weeks. Despite capturing a record six African Nations Cup -- including back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2008 -- the Pharaohs will arrive in South Africa among the competition's biggest underdogs. Egypt has succeeded lately thanks to its youth movement. The North Africans do have players with experience winning a FIFA medal, with a second-placed finish at the 2001 Under-20 World Cup campaign in Argentina. The stars on the team are captain Ahmed Hassan and Wigan striker Amr Zaki, who played well during the first part of the EPL season but fizzed out. He’ll need to play well if Egypt has any chance at compiling any points.
Prediction: First round elimination
Clemente Lisi is the author of “A History of the World Cup: 1930-2006.” Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com
