16. Slovakia
The Slovaks beat World Cup holders Italy in a thrilling 3-2 contest that decided which of the two teams would progress along with Paraguay to the next round. Star striker Robert Vitek scored 4 in Slovakia’s brief run, just one short of Golden boot winner Thomas Mueller’s tally of five. Prior to the commencement of the tournament Slovakia looked unlikely to qualify from a group containing the fluid Paraguayans and the usually solid Italians. They should be proud of finishing in the top half of the draw and their attacking prowess looks set to stand them in good stead for the Euros.
15. South Korea
Ji-Sung Park’s team escaped a group that could have embarrassed them. Neither Greece nor Nigeria are powerhouses in any respect, but they are tough teams to break down and their tendency to throw ten men behind the ball could have potentially stifled the open and aggressive style of play the South Koreans favour. A 4-1 loss to Argentina humbled them and gave many the impressions that the Argentineans were the team to beat, but they bounced back and won when the needed to. They met Uruguay in the second round and almost pulled off a come-from-behind victory, but the in-form South Americans prevailed. South Korea, although not remarkable, are proving a staple fixture on the international scene. We’ll see them again in four years time.
14. Mexico
The Mexicans entered the tournament on the back of a 3-1 loss against an England side that was yet to reach top gear. They looked tactically weak in that game and profited from being drawn in what turned out to be a poor group. That said, they very nearly lost to South Africa and salvaged a point by virtue of a Rafael Marquez strike. They went down to Argentina in the last 16 and looked outclassed throughout. Flashes of offensive prowess made the neutrals believe Mexico could have gone further, but overall they lacked the necessary quality to make a deep run.
13. England
What can be said about this ragtag bunch of no-hopers? England were shockingly ineffective from start to finish. They squeezed through a group they should have won with ease and wound-up playing Group D winners and Arch-Nemeses, Germany. The Germans dispatched the English with uncharacteristic flair; exploiting defensive frailties exacerbated by John Terry being played out of position. Had Lampard’s goal stood and made the score 2-2 the result might have been different. But in all honesty the Germans were the better side and England’s lacklustre performance throughout the finals meant they got just what they deserved. The Golden Age is over – the age of Wilshire, Shawcross, Walcott and Hart is dawning. Let’s hope they put-in a better shift than the bloated, overpaid, amateurish schmucks we put our faith in this time round.
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