Group A

“How come there aren’t more that three goals scored after all that time running around?” This is question most often posed about soccer. To that end I ask: “How can you play 22 innings and have a combined three runs scored?” Just recently, the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres took an offensive break from hitting the ball and engaged in a six-hour plus game that saw a grand total of three runs.

As a former high school soccer player, I can tell you that games which end 2-1, 1-1 or nil-nil (0-0) are exciting. The main reason being that you don’t want to end up on the wrong end of one goal loss that happens in the final 15 minutes. So, a tie can be a good thing.

The reason I bring up this topic of low scoring games, if in fact any goals are scored, is to prepare soccer fans for what Group A is going to offer. Every team in the group is defensive minded, which will make watching the games a bit tough for some. Not me, though. I’m ready for 12 tough games.

Headlining Group A is one-half of the co-hosting nations, Switzerland. Their M.O is defense. During the 2006 World Cup, the Swiss allow a grand total of zero goals in three group matches.

Led by coach Jakob Kuhn, the Swiss team is in every sense of the word fundamental. Their zonal defending, team-orientated positioning and tackling can keep the Swiss in any game, but their defensive mindset could cause an offensive shortage.

Perhaps the group favorite is Portugal. They’ve been on the verge on being good for some years now. Could this be the year that they break through in a major competition and become a European power? We’ll see.

The Portuguese, along with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, are hoping that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo can continue his great year all the way through June. There is a lot resting on the shoulders of the 23 year-old who is officially the face of the team after veterans like Luis Figo and Pauleta retired after the 2006 World Cup.

Portugal is very deep at the winger position, but their left backs are prone to injury. What Scolari can do in order to prevent serious harm is change the formations. The 3-4-3 won Scolari a World Cup in 2002 with Brazil. Maybe he’ll revert back to what was successful six years ago.

The Czech Republic, who I think is going to be the second team out of the group, has the potential to have a very deep run. Karel Bruckner’s group won its qualifying group despite Germany receiving all the attention (i.e. Germany 13, San Marino 0).

During qualifying, the Czech Republic allowed only five goals. Teams shouldn’t get too used to the idea of scoring because even if they do get by the backline, Petr Cech awaits. Cech is considered one of the best goalies in the world.

What the Czech have that seems to work in their favor is the right balance between talented youngsters and veterans that are still playing at a high level.

The final team of the group is Turkey. I hate to say it, but I’m not sure how much can be expected out of Fatih Terim’s team. There has been a constant flux and an unsettled atmosphere sine the team’s third-place finish at the World Cup in 2002. While they have solid goalkeeping and defense along with a few offensive threats, there doesn’t seem to be enough upside to see Turkey as one of the two teams that come out of Group A.

Match Schedules

2008.06.07 (18:00) Switzerland v. Czech Republic
2008.06.07 (20:45) Portugal v. Turkey

2008.06.11 (18:00) Czech Republic v. Portugal
2008.06.11 (20:45) Switzerland v. Turkey

2008.06.15 (20:45) Switzerland v. Portugal
2008.06.15 (20:45) Turkey v. Czech Republic