Group Strength
Compared to the other seven groups in the first round, Group B can be considered as somewhere in the middle in terms of quality. With the exception of Argentina there are no big-hitters in the pool, but there are also no easy-pickings as all four teams are capable of beating one another on their day.
Group Favourites
Argentina are certainly favourites to win their group, as they contain a host of world class talent from Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero to Javier Mascherano and Esteban Cambiasso. But their shaky qualifying campaign as well as their unpredictable coach Diego Maradona means that there are no guarantees on how the South Americans will perform.
Battle for Second
All four teams could realistically finish in fourth place. The most likely battle will be between Nigeria and Greece, but South Korea also have a great chance of qualifying for the second round. These three teams also have very contrasting styles, which should make the clashes between them interesting.
The Outsiders
South Korea are the outsiders in the pool, but their recent performances in the World Cup will give them strength - they reached the semi finals in 2002 and also drew with France four years ago. Park Ji Sung and the European contingent will need to lead by example.
The Long Road Forward
Group B is on the weaker side of the draw, meaning that none of its occupants can meet big guns Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Holland or the Ivory Coast until the semi finals. The winners and runners up of Group B will play the runners up and winners of Group A respectively in the second round. This leaves open the possibility of Argentina vs France. In the quarter finals, England and Germany are likely opponents, before the aforementioned giants from the other side enter the fray in the semi finals.
World Cup 2010: Group B Analysis - Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece
Group Strength
Compared to the other seven groups in the first round, Group B can be considered as somewhere in the middle in terms of quality. With the exception of Argentina there are no big-hitters in the pool, but there are also no easy-pickings as all four teams are capable of beating one another on their day.
Group Favourites
Argentina are certainly favourites to win their group, as they contain a host of world class talent from Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero to Javier Mascherano and Esteban Cambiasso. But their shaky qualifying campaign as well as their unpredictable coach Diego Maradona means that there are no guarantees on how the South Americans will perform.
Battle for Second
All four teams could realistically finish in fourth place. The most likely battle will be between Nigeria and Greece, but South Korea also have a great chance of qualifying for the second round. These three teams also have very contrasting styles, which should make the clashes between them interesting.
The Outsiders
South Korea are the outsiders in the pool, but their recent performances in the World Cup will give them strength - they reached the semi finals in 2002 and also drew with France four years ago. Park Ji Sung and the European contingent will need to lead by example.
The Long Road Forward
Group B is on the weaker side of the draw, meaning that none of its occupants can meet big guns Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Holland or the Ivory Coast until the semi finals. The winners and runners up of Group B will play the runners up and winners of Group A respectively in the second round. This leaves open the possibility of Argentina vs France. In the quarter finals, England and Germany are likely opponents, before the aforementioned giants from the other side enter the fray in the semi finals.
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