Germany - World Cup 2010 qualifying group

[Oliver_Kahn]

GROUP 4:

Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.


Russia and Finland are tough teams, specially away from home, but I think Germany will win the group

[Vargas_4]

True. We should have a couple of unexpected draws but a defeat, i'm having trouble seeing.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Vargas_4

True. We should have a couple of unexpected draws but a defeat, i'm having trouble seeing.

Agreed. If the fixtures are favorable (I mean playing the matches at home or against the weaker teams in September and leave the toughest matches for November and March), Germany should only drop 5 pts -- a draw at Finland and a loss at Russia. All the other matches must end with a victory for Germany

[Trim]

It's a fair group, Germany shouldn't have problems to top it.

Russia will be the main opponents, who will most likely end 2nd.

Finland are dangerous, but beatable.

Linchtenstein, Wales and Azerbaijan will be thrashed.

[Trim]

Germany coach Joachim Low was a satisfied man after the draw for 2010 World Cup qualifying handed his team a seemingly straightforward passage to South Africa.

Wales, Russia, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein were all drawn in Group Four with the Germans.

"With all respect to the other teams, our aim has got to be to finish first and qualify for the World Cup directly," Low said.

Germany marched through their Euro 2008 qualifying group - which also included Wales - with only one defeat, and that came after they had already secured their place in Austria and Switzerland.

"It is an interesting group," Low admitted on the German Football Association's website.

"Russia are certainly the toughest opponent, but we will not underestimate anybody.

"Finland were only one goal away from qualifying for Euro 2008, for example, and the games against Azerbaijan will also be interesting.

"We have never played them in our long history of international games."

SportingLife

[jec1]

Meh, I don't see finland as a threat, their ok!

Germany has to much talent right now to faulter.

[Poldi]

Its nice groep, Germany shouldnt have any problem, we should easily pass!

[Dragoen]

Don't forget if it comes to WC qualifiers Germany is the best team in the world.
Well ok they are always the best team in the world. ^_____^
Russia might be the toughest opponent but just if hiddink reamins coach there if not it will be Finnland and Russia will finish below Wales. But still Germany is the big favourite.
I think in the end the table will look like this
1.Germany
2.Russia(with Hiddink)
3.Finnland
4.Wales
5.Azerbajdan
6.Liechtenstein

[Trim]

Germany will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup away to Liechtenstein on September 6.

The fixture list has been decided after representatives from all the nations drawn in qualifying group four met in Frankfurt on Thursday.

"I am very pleased that we were able to find a quick agreement in a good atmosphere," said Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff.

"Now that the games for the World Cup qualifiers have been scheduled, we can turn our attention completely to preparing for Euro 2008."

Joachim Low's side will travel to Finland on September 10 before ending the year with two important home ties against Russia and Wales in October.

Germany's first competitive fixture of 2009 sees them host Liechtenstein

on March 28.

The three-times World Cup winners then travel to Wales on April 1 and face Azerbaijan home and away in August and September.

They conclude their qualification campaign with a tricky trip to Russia on October 19 followed by a home game against Finland four days later.

SportingLife

[Stephan]

Yeah, it should be an easy qualify for Germany. I don't see them having too much trouble with these teams, Russia and maybe Wales will be a bit of a heel, but other than that...South Africa, make from for Deutschland.

[Vargas_4]

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has identified Italy and Germany as the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup in an interview with the Brazilian media.

Parreira, 65, took his homeland of Brazil to World Cup success in 1994 and is now tasked with leading host-nation South Africa to a strong showing in 2010, although he feels that two European teams will be the favourites to take the title.

In an interview with Rádio Bandeirantes, Parreira stated that Germany and holders Italy would be his two picks for the tournament, as the Germans have managed to keep the nucleus of the side who finished third in 2006, while the Italians will come with a desire to defend their title.

The experienced coach - who has taken charge of four different teams in World Cup competition - believes that Brazil will put out a "strong" team, but argued that Germany and Italy would find it easier to adapt to the African winter in which the competition will be played.

South Africa have suffered an indifferent run of form since Parreira took charge in 2007, with the Brazilian experimenting with a number of players in order to try and find a diamond in the rough that can inspire the team in 2010.

Parreira was quick to play down expectations that the team could emulate South Korea and Germany by reaching the semi-finals on home turf and indicated that he would be satisfied if the team were able to reach the last eight of the competition.

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Goal.com - Internationals - Parreira Tips Italy And Germany For 2010 Success