Sports - Quest for Supremacy

By Harry Jayachandra

And now the end is near, the end of a four year wait. The Football World Cup kicks of on June 9. So who are the favourites and who are the dark horses? On paper reigning champions Brazil, Germany and the eternal chokers – England, have to be rated as the likely champs. Spain, France and Italy are the three that can make practically every pundit eat his words.

The top three have to be analyzed in detail, Hosts Germany have limited attacking options. Thus they are likely to go in with their tried and tested method of scoring on the counter attack. The worrying aspect for the hosts is their first choice goal keeper is the controversial Jens Lehmann. Lehmann has already the unenviable reputation of being player who walks a very tight line when it comes to the rules of the game. To this writer, Oliver Kahn would have been a better option. Charismatic Michael Ballack will have to play out of his skin if Germany is to make progress in this tournament.

In recent years Brazil have always been the favourites. This time around is no exception. With the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos to name just a few, it would be the most foolish of pundits to write this team off.

Forty years ago a player called Bobby Charlton led England to their first and only Football World Cup triumph. Ironically it was against Germany. Can history repeat itself? English coach Sven Goran Erickkson would say “yes”. However whenever England have succeeded at the highest level they have always had a talismanic leader. Whether David Beckham can fill that role is left to be seen.

England arguably have the best midfield and defensive line up in the tournament. Upfront lies the problem. No side is used to defending against a six foot seven inch striker. But Peter Crouch is not a prolific goal scorer. With Wayne Rooney injured and Michael Owen just returning it is going to be up to Crouch’s club skipper Steven Gerrard to fill the strikers void. Gerrard is peaking at the right time and may well turn out to be Sven’s ace in the hole.

France have an aging squad and the most unpredictable keeper in Fabien Barthez. They will need a lot of luck and inspirational performances from somewhere, if they are to win the cup. Spain has tended to flatter only to deceive. It is difficult to see that this year would be an exception.

Of the three dark horses, Italy has the best chance of creating somewhat of an upset. They have a good goalie, a solid defense and midfield and good attacking options up front with the likes of Alesandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi.
But at the end of the day football like cricket is an unpredictable game. The team that can maintain consistency and cope best with the pressure will win the cup.

Germany
Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann, Oliver Kahn Timo Hildebrand.
Defenders: Arne Friedrich, Robert Huth, Marcell Jansen, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Philipp Lahm, Jens Nowotny.
Midfielders: Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings, Sebastian Kehl, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Hitzlsperger, David Odonkor.
Fowards: Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Mike Hanke, Oliver Neuville, Gerald Asamoah.

England
Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson, David James, Robert Green
Defenders: Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Bridge
Midfielders: David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas, Stewart Downing, Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Theo Walcott

Italy:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Angelo Peruzzi, Marco Amelia
Defenders: Massimo Oddo, Cristian Zaccardo, Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Grosso
Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi, Simone Barone, Francesco Totti
Forwards: Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta

Brazil
Goalkeepers: Dida, Julio Cesar, Rogerio Ceni
Defenders: Cafu, Cicinho, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto, Cris, Luisao
Midfielders: Edmilson, Juninho Pernambucano, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Gilberto Silva, Kaka, Ricardinho
Forwards: Ronaldo, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Fred.

France
Goalkeepers:Fabien Barthez, Gregory Coupet, Mickael Landreau.
Defenders: Eric Abidal, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Pascal Chimbonda, William Gallas, Gael Givet, Willy Sagnol, Mikael Silvestre, Lilian Thuram.
Midfielders:Vikash Dhorasoo, Alou Diarra, Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane.
Forwards:Djibril Cisse, Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery, Louis Saha, David Trezeguet, Sylvain Wiltord.

Spain
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, Santiago Canizares
Defenders: Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Michel Salgado, Antonio Lopez, Asier del Horno, Pablo Ibanez, Carlos Marchena, Juanito
Midfielders: Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Marcos Senna, Jose Antonio Reyes, Joaquin, Luis Garcia, David Albelda, Xabi Alonso Forwards: Raul, Fernando Torres, David Villa.