14 Jun, Leipzig - Spain v Ukraine 3pm 14 Jun, Munich - Tunisia v Saudi Arabia 6pm 19 Jun, Stuttgart - Spain v Tunisia 9pm 19 Jun, Hamburg - Saudi Arabia v Ukraine 6pm 23 Jun, Kaiserslautern - Saudi Arabia v Spain 4pm 23 Jun, Berlin - Ukraine v Tunisia 4pm
Group H pits the Spanish armada against Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and world cup debutants Ukraine.
Spain, the great underachievers, have one of the most talented squads on paper, though in practice have always struggled to live up to expectations. After self-destructing in France '98 by going out in the first round, they were eliminated in the qurater finals by hosts South Korea in a controversial game in 2002. They however can gain revenge against the Koreans this time by winning this group and subsequently facing the runners up of Group G which will most likely be South Korea. Their midfield is packed with talent (Xavi, Joaquim, Alonso, Senna, Albeda) though scoring is a problem making this is a great opportunity for Fernando Torres and David Villa to shine on the world stage as they have in La Liga. For once they have a group where their notorious slow start shouldn’t affect them too much.
Goal machine and former AC Milan hitman Andre Shevchenko carries the hopes of Ukraine who make their first appearance at the World Cup. Unfortunately their lack of depth is unlikely to see them them progress far in the tournament and are looking at a possible showdown with France in the last 16 should they end as runners up.
Tunisia will make their 4th World cup appearance and till date have only 1 victory, coming back in '78. They and Saudi Arabia are highly unlikely to threaten their group rivals. Saudi may yet again be the whipping boys of the world cup.
BUT, saudi arabia is fully capable of defeating tunisia and ukraine and progressing to the second round, and i'm hoping they will. i'll finally have the chance to see saudi arabia play after a longggggg time.
^ You wanna see Saudi play? I wouldn't be suprised if they repeat the campagin of 2002 World Cup. All the Saudi players play behind the ball. They'd have to make alot more pressure to be a worthy opponent in the World Cup.
Spain and Ukraine are the obvious choices. However, after failing to win a game in their previous two appearances, Tunisia have a great chance of making something happen this time around and reaching the second round.
^^ They were never able to replace stars like Fouad Anwar, Majed Abdullah, and Saeed Al-Owairan. Their current players are decent, but not great. I don’t like Al-Jaber, he’s an arrogant and selfish player.
I’m also praying for a good run by the Saudis this time!!!
i din’t watch football when these players used to play… but yaser al gahtaani ,shalhoub ,nawwaf al temyaat r good too… & even saami al jaber is a good player…
& yeah…saby …they do sack many coach’s munh pey haath rakh key laughing
if u r a true saudi soccer fan, u need to watch majed abdullah. he was just amazin!!! and u need to see saudi arabias games in the 94 World Cup.
all the players u named are average..none of them are world class…none of them is a good striker. and please, al-jaber is the most selfish player ever. he need to retire!!
**but sami al jaber scores goals for the team…& yeah i’ve a lot heard about majed…though never seen him play…i started watchin football from the last world cup… **
Spain
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
Ukraine
**