Group H - 2010 World Cup - South Africa Car Rentals

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Group H - 2010 Football World cup - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

As reigning European champions and the top team in FIFA’s World Rankings, Spain would be expected to reach the knockout round in South Africa. Looking at Group H, qualification would seem a certainty. The Spanish have been gifted one of the weakest groups in the World Cup. Switzerland, Honduras and Chile are unlikely to trouble a Spanish team tipped by many as 2010 World Cup winners.

Spain

The past few years have seen something akin to a Golden Age developing within Spanish football. Since the Euro 2008 win, Spain has arguably become a stronger and more complete side. The Spanish dominated their World Cup qualifying group with 10 wins in 10 games, 28 goals scored and only 5 conceded.

If the Spanish can handle the huge weight of expectation placed upon them then they could well lift their first World Cup. Coach Vicente del Bosque has, along with Argentina, perhaps the most complete squad of any team in the World Cup. Iker Casillas is a world class goalkeeper and he will be well protected by a strong back four including veteran Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. The midfield, meanwhile, is loaded with talent. Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fábregas are just a few of the technically gifted midfielders available to Spain.

In attack, Spain has arguably the strongest striker pairing in international football today. Fernando Torres and David Villa will be hard to stop, and the duo will certainly be too much for their Group H opponents. Spain’s first real test is likely to come in the next round against the runner up of Group G – Brazil, Portugal or the Ivory Coast.

Switzerland

Switzerland lost only one game in its relatively easy World Cup qualifying group, finishing in first place and one point above Greece. Experienced German manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has built a solid and well organised squad. However, a lack of flair and creativity could be Switzerland’s undoing.

30 year-old striker Alexander Frei will need to be on top form in order to get the goals that the Swiss will need in order to progress. A decent defence alone will not be enough to get Switzerland through Group H.

The Swiss are unlikely to trouble Spain, leaving them to fight for second place with Honduras and Chile. That said, if they can steal a point from the Spanish they will be in a strong position to claim second place.

Honduras

Honduras may not be a big footballing name but it has some relatively big-name footballers. Tottenham Hotspur’s Wilson Palacios will provide the spark in midfield while former Inter Milan striker David Suazo will be leading the attack. Defensive midfielder Hendry Thomas and defender Maynor Figueroa will also be players to watch out for. Both play for English Premier League side Wigan Athletic.

The Hondurans may be seen as the Group H underdogs but they should not be underestimated. They may have only finished third in their World Cup qualifying group (behind the USA and Mexico) but they have the potential to challenge both Chile and Switzerland for second place in Group H.

They may be something of an unknown quantity, but the Hondurans will be eager to prove themselves in their first World Cup finals since 1982.

Chile

Chile will be appearing in its eighth World Cup finals. Qualification went well, the Chileans finishing second in the South American group, only one point behind Brazil and with an impressive 32 goals. Former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has created a balanced and well organised team capable of playing attractive, fluid football.

The squad features any array of talented footballers from the top leagues of both South America and Europe. Waldo Ponce, Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara and Arturo Vidal will likely make up the back four. Sporting CP’s Matías Fernández and Reggina’s Carlos Carmona are two talented young midfielders to keep an eye on. In attack, Real Zaragoza’s Humberto Suazo will be Chile’s main man. Suazo was the top scorer in the South American qualifying group; he scored 10 goals in total, one more than Brazil’s Luís Fabiano.

Likely Outcome

Spain should cruise through Group H relatively untroubled. Switzerland, Honduras and Chile will be looking to hold the Spanish giants to a draw in order to pick up a vital point.

The battle for second place will be fascinating. The Swiss are solid but may lack enough creativity going forward. The Hondurans have some quality players but could suffer through a lack of squad depth. Chile looks to be the most dangerous side out of the three. If the Chileans can win their opening group game against Honduras, they will go into the next game against Switzerland with added confidence. A win against the Swiss could well secure second place for Chile before the final game against Spain.

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