Group D play begins on Tuesday, with co-hosts Korea Republic squaring off against Poland. The four-team group is highlighted by Euro 2000 third-place finishers Portugal, as well as the United States. Here are previews of the four teams in the U.S. group:
United States
Confederation: CONCACAF
Coach: Bruce Arena
Schedule:
Wednesday: Portugal 2:30 a.m.
June 10: Korea Republic 5 a.m.
June 14: Poland 7:30 a.m.
Current FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking: 13
Key Players: Claudio Reyna, Clint Mathis, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Landon Donovan
Overview:
Coach Arena, leading the United States for the first time in the World Cup, will have to rely heavily on the emergence of Cup first-timers Donovan and Mathis. Strong play from these two young stars is vital for the Americans to do better than their last place finish in France ’98.
Arena will hope for a goal scorer to emerge from the likes of Brian McBride, Josh Wolff, Mathis and Donovan in order for the U.S. squad to advance to the second round – the Americans scored only one goal in France ’98.
Play will go through Reyna in the midfield; he is the team’s general and will have to create opportunities for the forwards ahead of him.
The defense will miss the sit-back style of defensive midfielder Chris Armas, out from a torn ACL suffered in a May 12 preparation match against Uruguay.
The defense looked disorganized at times during tune-up games against Holland and Uruguay, leaving men open and turning the ball over in the back for easy goals for the opposition.
Defenders Jeff Agoos and Eddie Pope will have to anchor the back line and clear anything out in front of the net.
The choice of goalkeeper will be a game time decision. Keeper Brad Friedel may emerge as the number one in the first game because of the recent contusion to the left elbow of goalkeeper Kasey Keller, even though U.S. officials have announced that Keller will not miss any time. Both keepers played in France ’98.
Winning only one game in the previous three World Cups does not sit well with this bunch.
Eleven members of the U.S. roster are World Cup first-timers, which could mean they will have a tough time advancing to the second round.
Portugal
Confederation: UEFA
Coach: Antonio Oliveira
Schedule:
Wednesday: United States 5 a.m.
June 10: Poland 7:30 a.m.
June 14: Korea Republic 7:30 a.m.
Current FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking: 5
Key Players: Luis Figo, Rui Costa.
Overview:
The third-place finishers in the 2000 UEFA European Championships, Portugal will be making its first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Scoring 33 goals in 10 games during qualifications and dominating teams of late should help the confidence of the team going into the tournament.
The health of midfielder Luis Figo, reigning FIFA Player of the Year, is key for the Portuguese to advance far into the tournament.
The Real Madrid star has been hampered by an ankle injury and his being 100 percent for the tournament is uncertain. However, Figo at 90 percent is better than most players.
Teamed in the midfield with Figo will be Serie A players Rui Costa and Sergio Conceicao. Costa, slowed by a thigh injury, has been able to send precise passes to attacking players in the past and will be the creative force in the Portuguese midfield. Conceicao is a pure attacker on the wing and scored four goals in qualification.
Forwards Nuno Gomes and Pedro Pauleta led Portugal in goals during qualification. Their ability to finish chances created by the midfield is vital for Portugal in the World Cup. Both players are relatively young and opportunistic.
Attacking midfielder Joao Pinto will assist in scoring throughout the tournament.
Portugal is the overall favorite in Group D, and is looked upon by most soccer experts as a lock to make the second round given the other teams in Group D.
Korea Republic
Confederation: AFC
Coach: Gus Hiddink
Schedule:
Poland: Tuesday 7:30 a.m.
United States: June 10 2:30 a.m.
Portugal: June 14 7:30 a.m.
Current FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking: 40
Key Players: Sung-Young Choi, Sang-Chul Yoo, Chong-Gug Song
Overview:
Korean Republic coach Guus Hiddink will try to not be the first host nation to fail to qualify for the second round. The Dutchman has led some of the top clubs in the world and guided the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998.
Korea has not fared well in previous World Cups (winless in 14 games) but the tides may soon change for the Korean side, as they will have the home-field advantage and a whole nation behind them in this tournament.
The midfield general on Korea will be Yoo Sang-Chul, who scored in the ’98 tournament, and his play will dictate much of the Korean attack. Yoo shows tremendous work rate, playing injured at times and can also play forward.
Joining Yoo in the Korean midfield will be Choi Sung-Young, a talented workhorse to complement the play of Yoo.
A player that may go unnoticed is Cha Doo-Ri, son of legendary Korean player Cha Bum-Keun. The tall forward is aggressive and has played regularly for the national team since November 2001.
The Achilles’ heel in the past for Korea has been its defense. Hiddink emphasizes team defense, and the backline is anchored by Hong Myung-Bo, Korea’s most capped player. Hong has played in the previous three World Cups for Korea and his experience is needed to keep Korea close in games.
Although this may be the best side ever for Korea, with a favorable draw to boot, Hiddink’s team is thought to have only an outside chance at advancing to the second round.
Poland
Confederation: UEFA
Coach: Jerzy Engel
Schedule:
Korea Republic: Tuesday 7:30 a.m.
Portugal: June 10 7:30 a.m.
United States: June 14 7:30 p.m.
Current FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings: 38
Key Players: Emmanuel Olisadebe, Jerzy Dudek, Tomasz Waldoch
Overview:
In their first appearance in the World Cup since 1986, Poland may arguably have the best goalkeeper in the tournament in Jerzy Dudek.
The Liverpool goalkeeper and reigning Polish player of the year, Dudek’s superior reflexes, athleticism and general intimidation of opposing forwards will aid Poland’s cause. The keeper may be called upon to single-handedly keep the Poles in matches.
Adding to the defense of the Polish nets will be team captain Tomasz Waldoch, the top player on the squad, who will be looked upon for experience in the back and to help direct the defense in front of Dudek.
Waldoch shows leadership both on and off the field with his teammates, showing poise and feel for the game while on defense.
Nigerian-born forward Emmanuel Olisadebe may be an emerging star for the Polish team. The 21-year-old striker scored eight goals in nine qualifying games and has added much-needed scoring to an attack has been stagnant in the past.
Olisadebe shows great bursts of speed, a wicked shot and will have to finish anything around the net for Poland to advance.
The combination of Dudek in goal and Olisadebe in the attack are vital for Poland. Group D opponents could have their hands full when trying to penetrate the Polish defense.
