World Cup 2006 Team Profiles – Group G
Switzerland
World Cup Appearances: 8th Appearance; Last – 1994
Best Finish: Quarterfinalists (1934, 1938, 1954)
Key Players: Raphael Wicky, MF; Philippe Senderos, D; Alexander Frei, F
Notes:
This is the first appearance for the Swiss since USA 1994, and they are looking to make an impression internationally with the side they are fielding in Germany. They are looking to make amends ot their supporters for their lackluster showings in 1998 and 2002 qualifying rounds. They’ve got a team full of youth and international level players and Germany will provide this team the avenue to showcase those skills.
The Swiss benefited from the away-goal rule during their playoff qualifying home-and-away matchup against Turkey. Despite losing in Istanbul 4-2 in the second match, the Swiss we’re able to score a 2-0 victory in Bern a few days prior. That even the goal-differencial to nil because of the same amount of goals scored by both teams, but the Swiss we’re able to tally twice in Istanbul, winning the away goal differncial 2-0. They did play well heading upto the playoff, where they hadn’t suffered defeat in a year, dating back 14 matches.
They have a great number of youth talent, much of whom were garnering international acclaim in different under-age levels of competition. One of those key players for Switzerland is forward Alexander Frei. He’s averaging a goal in a little less than every two games for the Swiss with 25 tallies in only 46 career international caps for his side. He’s not as physically imposing as other strikers because of his smaller frame, but he has deceptive strength and can use it if necessary. Frei is a player that has a never-ending motor, always going after the next goal. That is a quality you love in a striker. He doesn’t give up on plays and will fight it out with the best defenders, making him much more dangerous than some would imagine.
The Swiss field Raphael Wicky in the midfield, who is not a midfielder as much as he is a field general. Around the pitch, he is known for being able to direct his teammates, sometimes even while in possession of the ball. It’s that vision and intelligence which make him a feared entity in the middle third. Wicky is known for quick touches and elusiveness offensively, while being an above-average defender in the back third. He’s made his mark on the club level in Germany, although having played briefly in Spain. Wicky will be looked upon to be a leader for the youth and a playmaker in the attacking third of the field in order for the Swiss to succeed.
The class of this team is on defense, as arguably it’s most internationally-ready talent is Philippe Senderos. Only 21 years of age, Senderos already is making waves on the back line of famed Arsenal in the English Premiership. It was there that he replaced teammate and English national Sol Campbell because of injury. Senderos would perform extremely well and not relinquish the spot once Campbell returned, intstead sharing the backfield responsibilities. What all his teammates say about him is that for a ripe young lad, he’s a punishing defender and a world-class talent who can mark anyone in the world. We’ll see just how true that is, as this group possesses some strong scorers and the Swiss defense must be in top form for them to see the elimination stage.
France
World Cup Appearances: 12th Appearance; 3rd consecutive
Best Finish: Champion (1998)
Key Players: Thierry Henry, F; Zinedine Zidane, MF; Fabian Barthez, GK
Notes:
In 1998, France joined Uruguay, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, England, and Germany as teams who have won the World Cup finals and hoisted the trophy. They also continued a trend as they became the fifth out of the seven champions in history to have recorded their first championship on their home soil. You would think with names like Zidane, Henry, Lizarazu, and Barthez, 2002 in Korea/Japan shouldn’t be a problem, right? Well, I won’t go too deep into that, but suffice to say that their performance was less than inspiring. No goals and finishing in the bottom of their group was a debacle in France, as they were not only the defending World Cup Champions but also the defending Euro Champions, having won th 2000 UEFA Cup.
Now here in Germany, the French team looks to rebound and get some goals, some good finishes from their world class players, and repeat the result of 1998 and forget about 2002. They will be led by manager Raymond Domenech, who has been receiving critisicm for the French qualifying effort in a group in which they were largely favored to have no problems with. They are group in the World Cup with a strong Korea team that went into the elimination round four years prior, a Swiss team that was in their qualifying group and is very familiar with them, and a hungry Togo side that is in its first WC final.
They fate of Les Bleus rely on their two biggest names. Much like stars in American sports, they will receive the lionshare of the credit should they succeed and most of the fallout should they not have a good showing. The playmaking of Zinedine Zidane will be first and foremost on most people’s mind. He became an international icon after the 1998 World Cup, even gaining him notoriety in the United States, where football stars traditionally do not hit mainstream. Commercials hit the airwaves and Zidane was known in some American circles. He’s a supremely gifted midfielder who would be able to knock an apple off your head from 50 yards. A pinpoint shot and volley make him dangerous from anywhere on the field, and that is what drives opponents crazy. It will be that skill, though, that the French will need to get it up front.
Once up front, it’s part two of the superstar striking duo that I would like to call the ‘new’ French Connection. Thierry Henry is at the top of the world when it comes to strikers. His name is clumped in with Ronaldo, Michael Owen, and a small handful of other players internationally who is feared when it comes to the attacking third. You say Henry’s name in Europe and first instinct for many football fans will be to say, “Goal!” Some would consider France 1998 as his coming out party, and they would be right to say so. He was a French secret before, but the secret’s out. Now he’s arguably the best striker in the Premiership and the key to the scoring hopes of Les Bleus.
Solid defense led by Patrick Vieira and a goaltender with the ability of Fabian Barthez, on paper they have the talent to contend for the championship. But on paper and in reality are two different beasts, and in order for them to be successful this paper talent must translate on the pitch.
Republic of Korea
World Cup Appearances: 7th Appearance; 6th Consecutive
Best Finish: Semi-finals (2002)
Key Players: Park Ji-Sung, F; Lee Woon-Jae, GK; Lee Young-Pyo, D
Notes:
Some would consider this side the most successful in World Cup history from the Asian continent. It’s be hard to argue that point, as Asian teams haven’t had much success in World Cup action and the Koreans are the most consistent of that bunch. They are looking to emulate their 2002 performance, and are in a prime position to do so. They field international-caliber talent and the experience that many other teams are looking for.
Qualifying was an adventure at times, as they looked mostly unimpressive in losing 2 matches and only salvaging draws in 3 others. They replaced their manager in the middle of their preliminary qualifying rounds after some lackluster performances. Enter Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, who came in and apparently lit a fire early as they proceeded to the asian finals without anymore losses. They were tested and looked very vulnerable in the final 8, although they secured a spot in the finals. Coach Bonfrere resigned as well after the qualifying efforts, and another new coach, Dick Advocaat, has taken the helm. It remains to be seen whether or not they can rebound from these changes and succeed.
They can field the personnel to do so. They have a midfielder who is playing for one of the most famous club sides in the world today. Park Ji-Sung is currently playing in the Premiership alongside many of the world’s best in Manchester United. He has amassed an impressive amount of games for a Man U team that has talent at every position. Park never seems to get tired out there on the pitch. No matter the minute of the match, he plays as though he has just stepped onto the field, and that provides energy to his teammates, who feed off that and react to it. He’s been working ever since he began playing football and honing in on his other skills and we’ll be able to see how polished a player he is now as he leads his team into Germany.
He’s not alone, however. They have a strong goaltender who is known for great saves. Lee Woon-Jae will be able to control the area in front of him as he usually does. He’s strong and decisive and will be a strength for the Koreans. Considered to be one of the Koreans’ best players by most football experts, Lee will be there for the saves.
They have to score, and with the talent they have up front, I definitely believe they can score enough goals to move forward. If they do play to their level, they could play strong enough to contend for a championship. All they need is a goal or two…
Togo
World Cup Appearances: Initial Appearance
Best Finish: n/a
Key Players: Emmanuel Adebayor, F; Kader Mohamed, F
Notes:
Welcome to Germany, Togo. Your nation will be here for football, but we’ll see whether or not your first time will prove to be successful. Togo enters the World Cup for the first time with a side that many did not expect to see there. Togo arrived dubiously into the African group stages of qualifying and had some troubles in their opening match against Zambia. That, however, would be their only loss in group stages. They did not lose to group favorite Senegal and eventually secured their tickets, although never having previously finished higher than fourth in their qualifying attempts.
Their hopes begin and end up front, with Emmenuel Adebayor. It’s amazing how the hopes of a nation rest on the shoulders of a man not even born in that nation. Adebayor was born in Nigeria but has lived in Togo and chose to represent this country in their World Cup debut. He is the best player on the team and has legend status in the country. He’s spent his entire professional club career in Europe although gaining the recognition that he received was due to his duty on the Togo side. Such a gifted natural athlete is Adebayor, he was making waves locally when he was a young child, and it has continued to today. He’s now playing on one of the biggest stages in the world in the English Premiership and he’s poised to lead this team with an impressive showing.
Truth be told, the Togolese have a large mountain to climb in order for them to have some success in Germany. They must get players to play above their head and play career games for them to have a shot at the elimination round. Too high of a mountain to climb? We’ll wait and see. A good showing will do wonders for this side, and even if they do not make the elimination stages, they could still make waves with good performances.
