There are no “easy” games at a World Cup

A former journalism professor posted a link on his Facebook page about German captain Michael Ballack missing the World Cup due to tearing ligaments in his ankle during the May 16 FA Cup Final.

Professor Joe Ritchie is fluent in German so he almost undoubtedly read Kicker magazine or Bild or some other publication to get more insight about how much the midfielder’s presence will be missed this summer. Within moments of linking an article to his profile, I was online providing my thoughts about Ballack’s importance.

In my haste, I noted: “He will be missed, but not until the knockout phases, because Group D should be easy.”

That is what happens when one does not pay full attention. When I browsed the FIFA website, I thought the Germans were playing Ghana, Serbia and Austria. I confused “AUS” with Austria, one of the worst teams in Europe, with an experienced and gritty Australian team.

Australia have a lot to prove after a 2006 World Cup where shoddy refereeing led to their elimination in the Round of 16 against eventual champions Italy and nearly cost the Socceroos their place in the knockout phase in a victory over Croatia.

Of course Professor Ritchie got me right together noting there are no easy contests in the World Cup. Every team, including the Bafana Bafana has proven they deserve to be in South Africa at some point over the last two years.

Prof. Ritchie went as far to say he thinks Ballack’s injury makes Ghana the favorites to advance from this group. I’m not so confident.

Nothing against Ghana or Australia, but Germany has qualified for the quarterfinals in the five World Cups since the fall of the Berlin Wall, including winning the 1990 tournament. No other team can boast such a record, not the Brazilians, the Italians, the Argentines, not the arrogant English or anyone else.

However, it’s not just the history of this team that leads me to believe Die Mannschaft will at least make the Round of 16 this summer.

With seven players on the preliminary roster from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich including likes of Holger Badstuber and Philipp Lahm in defense, 2006 revelation Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield and World Cup poacher Miroslav Klose this team has the steeliness to advance.

I did not have the fortune of seeing Cacau play on television this year, but from what I have read and seen about the Stuttgart forward he will dovetail nicely into this team that was a finalist in the 2008 European championships.

My only question of this team would be goalkeeping. It’s incredibly sad that likely No. 1 Robert Enke committed suicide last year. But in truth, before Enke took his life this position was one that made me raise an eyebrow.

German soccer is famous for a lot of things, and the reliable goalkeeping Die Mannschaft have been able to rely upon over the past two decades certainly qualifies.

Bodo Illgner was the first goalie to keep a shutout in a World Cup Final. Andreas Koepke was instrumental in the Germans winning Euro 96 and was not culpable for the Croatian debacle two years later in France. Oliver Kahn is a legend. While Jens Lehmann may have his eccentricities, but was a very good shot stopper for Arsenal and Stuttgart at the club level as well as the German national team at the 2006 World Cup — as the Argentines found out the hard way.

Group D is not as easy as I originally surmised, but the key to the qualifiers from this group may be: goalkeeping.

Ghana and Australia have goalies that have led their teams out the tunnel in a World Cup. Many Germans only wish the same could be said of Hans Joerg Butt, Manuel Neuer or Tim Wiese, one of whom will have his work cut out for them this summer.

There are no bailouts for soccer mismanagement

Sunday morning Greek Prime Minister George Papandreau said his country is a proud one determined to set things right.

He was referring to the 750 billion euro bailout package that his country was loaned to keep its financial system going earlier this month. As important as that may be, this is a blog dedicated to the upcoming World Cup.

If the Greeks are to recall some of their pride, it may begin June 12 when they play Nigeria. The surprise winners of Euro 2004, who are currently 12th in the FIFA World Rankings, will have their work cut out for them in Group B if they are to advance to the Round of 16.

Greece, Nigeria and South Korea will all likely look up to Argentina and their gold mine of attacking options in the group stages. Interestingly in their only other World Cup appearance Greece was paired with Nigeria and Argentina, losing those contests 2-0 and 4-0 respectively.

The Greeks may have the advantage in playing Argentina last, which by then Diego Maradona’s team may have sewn up qualification.

Papandreau made international news with his comments about American banks betting against the Greek government and the country’s desire to rein spending, while also raising taxes. In reference to taking the country’s gross domestic product from -13% to 3% internationally respected journalist Fareed Zakaria asked Papandreau “can it be done.”

That question will be answered in time. However, the same question can be posed to Otto Rehhagel’s team which has size and four people from that 2004 team on the provisional roster.

My impression of the Greeks has been a team that will dull the pace of the game and are opportunistic scorers, to say it kindly. Rather than getting run out the park with obscene scorelines — as was the case at World Cup 94 — they will plod along in search of capitalizing on a mistake.

With the collection of talented and organized teams in Group B that philosophy may not be feasible.

Nigeria is African’s version of the Spanish. The Super Eagles always have enough talent to tantalize people into thinking they will advance, but usually fall beneath the bar that a team of such quality should achieve.

The South Koreans, from my knowledge of them, are a defensively sound team that will fight and fight for an opening. Once the South Koreans see a lead, they almost never relinquish it. In the four matches South Korea has won in the FIFA World Cup, they have never lost the lead.

As for Argentina, well they are one of the tournament favorites. Even with a coach who was a genius on the field and the antithesis of it in the manager’s box.

This is only the second World Cup Greece has qualified for, but the expectations are much higher from the 1994 team that failed to score a goal when the tournament was held in the United States. Unlike the country’s financial system there will not be a bailout package waiting this team should they fail.

Americans hamstrung at forward without Ching

I don’t know why I have never been a fan of Brian Ching, but there has just been something about the first Hawaiian to suit up for the U.S. National team that never endeared him to me.

But watching the forward play for the Houston Dynamo Thursday night, Ching showed the skills that will make him a very vital piece to the U.S. National team as they prepare for the World Cup.

Houston may have lost 3-1 to Real Salt Lake, but Ching showed me more than fellow U.S. roster invitee Robbie Findley, who scored for Salt Lake.

Ching may not score as much as people would like against elite international competition, but he does hold the ball up well allowing the United States to get options forward. It’s an attribute that will serve the Americans well in their first game against England that will probably feature a pair of world-class central defenders.

Ching, who has been injured with a hamstring issue, entered the last 28 minutes of the contest and voila the Dynamo looked more fluid in attack. Granted, by that time the Dynamo were down three goals and had very little to lose.

Meanwhile, Findley, who started the match, scored in the third minute but also had an unconscionable miss in the 65th. It’s misses like this (fast forward to the 4:01 mark) that may mean the difference in a group where the Americans, Algeria and Slovenia will likely battle for second spot in Group C.

Also, notice how Salt Lake’s squandered opportunities were primarily from their No. 10. Then again, one may not have to take note as only 23 of the 30 men invited to the training camp, and likely one or more of the inexperienced forwards, will make the final U.S. team.

The more soccer I watch, the more I have come to appreciate players like Ching. He may not be the flashiest forward, but he can score, and his teams have a penchant for winning games, as evidenced by the Americans 32-4-8 record in matches he has earned caps and the two MLS Cups he has won with the Dynamo.

With the dearth of proven forwards invited to the U.S. camp a player like Ching may become more comforting to see in the starting lineup in South Africa.

Where are the goals coming from?

Before I went around to looking at the rest of the roster or trying to figure out who the starting XI would be for the United States opening match in next month’s World Cup, I asked myself one question: who is going to score for us?

It’s well known that FC Sochaux forward Charlie Davies was fighting not only for his life, but his place on the team following an October accident that left one person dead. It was also widely reported that Davies was one of America’s best options in the attack prior to the multiple injuries he sustained.

“Charlie has shown incredible heart and determination to reach this point in his recovery,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley Tuesday. “We have followed his progress extensively during the past several months through physical examinations and personal observation by our staff, and he remained in consideration for this training camp until (Monday). FC Sochaux notified us that at this point Charlie has not been given medical clearance, and that they would not grant his full release to join the camp."

Davies, along with 20-year old Jozy Altidore the two would have been a combination that would have been formidable against just about any pair of central defenders in the world.

Now the United States will prepare for South Africa with six forwards, three of whom have never scored for the stars and stripes. Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley and Herculez Gomez have a combined seven caps. If any of these three see the field in the World Cup opener against England, June 12, consider me surprised.

Meanwhile, retreads Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson will be asked to recall past glories and potentially partner with Altidore up front.

I have always been an Eddie Johnson fan, so it was good to see that his form has merited the U.S. coaching staff considering him fit for the team. It never hurts that the 26-year old Johnson is from Florida.

It’s possible Clint Dempsey or Landon Donovan will be deployed as the second striker, but the U.S. plays better when those two creators are in the midfield. Donovan and Dempsey have proven they can score big goals for the U.S. but that ability is not worth choking the service to the forwards.

Only 23 men will make the final roster, so it’s possible that that U.S. head coach Bob Bradley may have a few wrinkles to iron out to see which forwards make the trip to South Africa.