Group B analysis

In Group B, we will see one of the best teams to follow: Argentina. They will be joined by Nigeria, South Korea and Greece, and are unprecedentedly favorites to win the group. Los Ches will have to overcome many factors if they will want to walk away with the World Cup, so let's begin the analysis with them.

Argentina had a rough road to reach the World Cup after finishing fourth in the South American qualification round. After a run of poor form, Alfio Basile resigned as head coach of the national team, and living-legend Diego Armando Maradona took hold of the post. The 1986 World Cup winner won his first three games at the helm, but after suffering a 6-1 defeat to Bolivia, has received much criticism for his team selections and style of play.

However, Argentina's poor form should be diminished as the World Cup arrives. After an 1-0 away victory to Germany last month, it seems as if the tide has turn and Maradona has finally settled on a first team selection. It seems he will have a 4-4-2 formation with Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain and FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi spearheading the attack. In addition, the midfield should also be solid with veteran Juan Sebastian Veron and Javier Mascherano set to be the brain of the team. Although, Maradona's decision to leave the Inter Milan duo of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso can prove decisive in the defensive and possession aspect, and could be critical in the playoff phases of the tournament.

My player to watch for Argentina is Lionel Messi. The back-to-back FIFA World Player of the year has just finished another victorious season with Barcelona after crowning their second consecutive league championship (fourth in six years) and winning his first Pichichi Trophy for top-league scorer (34 goals). This will be the 22-year-old's second World Cup, and is a top candidate to win the Golden Boot (Best player of the tournament award). However, Messi has been criticized for not performing to the top of his level with Argentina as he does with his club team. Described as the "new Maradona", a World Cup victory can improve his credentials to that comparison, and even surpass his coach as one of the best players to ever play soccer. I choose Argentina to win Group B.

Photo: Lionel Messi celebrating his goal for FC Barcelona (By Manu Fernandez/AP Photo)

Los Che's first opponent in the tournament will be Nigeria. The Africans have long been regarded as the best team from their continent, but have long lost their supremacy after missing the 2006 World Cup. However, this group will be a great chance for the team to build confidence as they search to give a great performance.

It is important to recognize that 29 out of the 30 players on the provisional roster play in Europe (Defender Terna Suswam plays in Nigeria for Lobi Stars FC). This means they will have the quality to play against top-quality teams, such as Argentina. Their most recognized player is 23-year-old John Mikel Obi who currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. Although he is not a consistent started for the team, the former African Youth Player of the Year (2005, 2006) has matured and is capable of leading the midfield for the Super Eagles.

My player to watch for Nigeria will be 25-year-old Obafemi Martins. He currently sits as the fifth top scorer for the Super Eagles with 16 goals, and is in great condition to top the record of 37. Martins currently plays for Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga, but has failed to meet expectations this past season due to the great season teammate by Brazilian Grafite. However, Martins possesses the speed and goal execution that can help take Nigeria to the second round. I choose Nigeria to the second place in this group.

Photo: Nigeria in action at the African Cup of Nations (By Themba Hadebe/AP Photo)

South Korea will be featured in their seventh consecutive World Cup. However, history has shown that the Asians will not advance past the group stage at the tournament. Since 1986, the Taegeuk Jeonsa have only gone through to the second round once in 2002, where they were co-host with Japan and finished in fourth place. But even more astonishing is that fact they have only won once in the group stage (2-1 victory over Togo in 2006), excluding the 2002 edition when they had home-field advantage.

However, there recent form makes them a strong contender to advance to the second round. On a current three-game winning streak, including a 2-0 victory over the Ivory Coast in London, they have only lost three of their past 17 games. Captain and Manchester United midfield Park Ji-Sung is coming off a great season in the English Premier League, and can lead South Korea to the second round for the first time outside their home soil.

My player to watch for South Korea is Park Chu-Young. The 24-year-old Daego native currently plays for AS Monaco in the French Ligue 1. He posses great speed and agility, and can play as either a striker or winger. Although he lacks the goal-scoring capacity of a true striker, his tactical and effective passing can create danger against any opponent. They will face Greece in their first match, and if they win the match, can gain confidence to give Argentina an upset loss or tie. However, I believe that they will not get passed the group stage in the tournament.

Photo: Chu-Young in action with AS Monaco (By Michel Spingler/AP Photo)

The last team to analyze in Group B is Greece. The 2004 European champions are seen as the weakest team in this group and have a 33 percent chance to get past the group (espnsoccernet.com). The 2010 World Cup will be their second tournament appearence in their history, with their first being in 1994 where they lost all their group games.

Although they qualified to the tournament after a 1-0 playoff tie against Ukraine, Greece had a successful qualifying round with a 7-3-2 overall record. Midfield veteran Giorgos Karagounis was part of the 2004 European championship team, and can lead the Greeks to another dark horse run. The former Inter Milan and Benfica player, who is remembered for his opening goal of the 2004 Euro tournament against Portugal), is a good attacking midfielder that can help his stikers in break away situations since they will be held back against Argentina and Nigeria.

My player to watch for the galanoleyki is Theofanis Gekas. The striker, who currently plays for Hertha BSC in the German Bundesliga, was the top scorer in the European qualification section for 2010 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals. Although he has struggled in Germany after signing with the team mid-season, Gekas has great speed and will be an important factor for the Greeks when they try to play counter-attack against Argentina and Nigeria. However, I do not seem them picking up a single point in the tournament.

Photo: Greece before a FIFA Qualification game (By Petro Giannakouris/AP Photo)