Here is my own rendition of Goal.com where I try to analyze the World Cup groups which were decided last Friday. Let me start with Group A which involve the hosts.
Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
France definitely got lucky here and are definite favourites in my mind. Not only do they have a good group, lady luck has favoured even on the draw side, where they will avoid Spain, Brazil, World Champs Italy and the high flying Dutch till the Semis. The other three are pretty close in my book. Uruguay will rely heavily upon the attacking prowess of El pichichi winner Diego Forlan and the talented young striker Luis Suarez from Ajax. While Mexico may not boast of any big stars, what they do have is a solid team of which all are based in the strong Mexican Apertura League barring 2-3 players. Underestimate them at your own peril. South Africa are indeed the weakest of the four but are very capable of pulling up a surprise when the home crowd gets behind their back blowing the irritating vuvuzelas. Mokoena, Pienaar and the "Poor Man's Drogba" Benny McCarthy need to give in a performance of a lifetime if they have any chance of progressing forward.
My Picks :
1. France to be on top
2. Mexico to come 2nd
I will continue analyzing the other groups in the coming weeks. Need to study for Compre Exams for now. :S
