last time, greece proved that ultra-defense can "slice" all european giants one by one. can defensive play team won again this time? who do you consider have the capability to defend well in the coming world cup?
136046
no no no. please dont give the greece example. it was one in a lifetime miracles what happend. it was a shame discrace for the europian soccer because that last final game of the europian championship was the most boring game i have ever seen. now having said all that difense is not the winner nor the offense but the combination of both. the offense will keep the ball away from your goal so the team wont be in danger of loosing the game. if you want ta winner for this upcomming summer check out italy, england and a have to include the scaaaary brasil. look for sleepers like germany or argentina too.
618555
they couldn't unless they change their strategy. weaker teams have an extremely strong defence but they don't have anyone to score. like trinidad and tobago or cote d'ivoir yesterday. they did a great show defending especially T&T's goalkeeper hislop or i don't know who he was. but they're not capable of scoring..
591580
Italy. 3-1 or 2-1.\n\nI don't think the Socceroos can get through the Italian defense.  If they do, it will have to be physical, and we've seen what the referees at this tournament think about that (I lost count of the ejections thus far).\n\nI do believe the Italians can finesse/break down Australia's midfield and back line, especially if Luca Toni starts the match for Italy.
578845
FORZA AZZURRI!!! Hopefully Lippi gives Inzaghi and Del Piero a chance to be in the field for 90 minutes ... they would have scored 2 goals more. Both of them are starving for goals!\n\nI keep my fingers crossed for Italy - but unfortunately they get very nervous and distracted when the going gets rough (especially penalties - remember World Cup USA '94, Baggio and Baresi?), as shown during the second half of the match. If it wasn't for the Ghanese goalkeeper, and the field players lacking of precise shots, Italy would have lost for sure.\n\n I guess, now that they've won the first match they really are a potential candidate for the final, as they were really demoralized by the Juventus-scandal and had a lot of pressure on them...\n\nI'd love to see them win - but still there's France and Brazil and maybe also the Czechs, Germans and Dutch...\n\nFORZA ITALIA 4ever!!!
425039
I will go for Germany. France may need to buck up. As zidane the play maker had retired. Italy is a team which is not consistent. They had lost to France in the euro qualifying which doubt their world cup champion.
604314
Doubtful.\nBased on World Cup history, it's unlikely for teams to rebound after such a thrashing.
632707
I agree with you, but i think they have proven something by just being in the world cup, because it is a long way to qualify for the World Cup. I also agree with Iran, and Trinidad, because Iran is a though team, and trinidad gave a pretty good defence in the last two games. But if you remeber Croatia made it to the quarter finals in their last World Cup, or 1998 i don't really remember.
626182
These two sides have both defended really well. I think this game will come down to who gets their attacking game in order and dominates this area of play. If I were Klinsman though I would not be subbing Klose as early as he did today.
674924
I'm a fan of France. But, I think they've but very little chance to move to next round. They've been very disappointing so far.\n\n***(06/23/06 17:00 EST, USA) \nWell, I was wrong. The French played a game au grand sérieux, and it sure paid off. \nViva les Bleus !
200613
I would also say Brazil, but England looks pretty good also. Just as long as Germany doesn't win, they have so bombed this year, but we will see. Anything can happen. I do know that this year will be very exciting and I will be routing for US and Italy.
164611
I picked group C as the toughest from the get go. Group C consists of Argentina, Holland, Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast. Argentina and Holland already two strong teams with good young players, but as the last World Cup showed, these factors may not mean anything.\nA lot of people might think that Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast won't pose any threat. But I think Ivory Coast is actually the best African team in the tournament, and they showed their class by reaching the African Cup Nations final. Ivory Coast will give the rest troubles just like Senegal did in World Cup 2002. \nMoving on, Serbia-Montenegro has a pretty good team. I expect them to give a lot of troubles with their defensive style of playing. They qualified in front of Spain and Belgium. This may not say a lot, but Spain and Belgium are considered more as regulars than Serbia-Montenegro, especially Spain. I don't see them having as much spectacles as Bulgaria (1994) and Croatia (1998), but I see them giving a hard time to the rest of the group.\nAll and all, I still hope Argentina and Holland to qualify to the next round.
170066
I've been saying this for a long time: this is the best Italian team in the WC since they won it in 82, even better than their finalist 94 team. This team can really play! I do think they could go all the way. Italians concentrate on defense defense defense, they have a killer one coupled with amazing attacking players. Watch out for these guys.
653372
Australia to beat Italy, then who knows.\nI think they are playing so well, their defence against Brazil was outstanding.
597636
Its kind hard to guess cuz most teams that are qualified are putting in subs. Since the winner of this group is playing either Portugal or Mexico, i dont think they care who they face because Ned & Arg are both going to beat them both of em. I think they might end up in fix draw. Maybe Arg 2-1
629070
2-1 Italy.  Unless they play like against the U.S. last week.  They are unpredictable, remember they lost against South Korea last tournamant.   I believe they will prevail, they certainly have more talent than the Aussies and they know tomatoes await them if they lose.  They have been more aggressive and still have a killer defence.  I like the Azzuri.
647479
Argentina.... (beating the hosts may not be easy, though. But as one Argentine player says, they will be easy to play against than the Mexicans, because of their similar attacking style).\nItaly..... (Best defence till now, gave only one goal, and that too, an own goal, and I tip them to lift the CUP).\n& hmmm maybe England. Portugal have many yellow cards (and few red cards too) and they will be playing a little more cautiously. Ronaldo may not be fully fit also. England have players who can score from range like Lampard, Beckham & Rooney. One good shot and they would be through.
276613
I'm not a good-weather fan so I'm supporting MY TEAM, as always: Germany. I don't know too many real soccer fans who don't support their homecountry. Yes, if you live in Canada (like I now do) or Austria *grin, didn't make it again* or Greece (damn, Euro champ and didn't qualify !) you perhaps pick another team or just watch to see the best teams in the world play the best game in the world in front of some of the best fans in the world in some of the most modern and comfortable (and cool looking as the Munich stadium is concerned) stadiums of the world. I can't wait !