France punished in World Cup seedings

[dan o d]

no matter how many dodgy refereeing decisions they get i cant see south africa progressing from the group, even as top seeds

[gspain]

Previous seedings were based on a mixture of past performance and FIFA rankings. FIFA changed the rules this time to suit themselves.

I can confidentlky predict now that the October 2013 rankings will not be used for the 2014 draw.

By changing the rules not to seed France FIFA can pretend to be not corrupt but in reality it stinks.

FIFA have said B1-H1 will be drawn on Friday. This is the fairest way as it impacts who meets who in the later rounds. B1 is virtually guaranteed a quarter final spot unless France/Portugal end up in Group A or B. D1 & C1 play in Port Elizabeth, F1, C1 & E1 all play in CT. D1, H1, E1 & G1 all play in Durban. So C,D & E all get 2 games at sealevel.

I don't think they'll bother fixing South Africa's draw as there is nothing they can do to get them through.

[shakermaker1982]

South Africa might scrape second place if they were paired with New Zealand, Algeria and Greece. Beat New Zealand and then draw the other 2 games.

If there is a God he'll give England: USA, Ivory Coast and Portugal. France will be teamed up with Brazil, Mexico and Ghana.

[gspain]

South Africa might scrape second place if they were paired with New Zealand, Algeria and Greece. Beat New Zealand and then draw the other 2 games.

If there is a God he'll give England: USA, Ivory Coast and Portugal. France will be teamed up with Brazil, Mexico and Ghana.

South Africa can't get another African country.

Greece would be way too strong. Ivory Coast and Ghana will make a big impression but South Africa are now one of the weaker African nations.

[endabob1]

SA are pretty crap alright but they're better than New Zealand and probably better than or as good as the other Asian sides excepting Australia so I'd expect them to get one beatable team from that pot, a decentish South American side (they're guaranteed Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay) and then one of the non seeded europeans.
It's entirely plausible that with a fortuitous draw they could get out of their group although even then they would need a bit of luck......
Ivory Coast are on the other hand a very good side and should get out of their group unless they are really unlucky and end up with something like Brazil, France & the USA
A bit of luck and they will be Quarter Final candidates, maybe even Semi's with a bit of momentum.

[twoenz]

South Africa can't get another African country.

Greece would be way too strong. Ivory Coast and Ghana will make a big impression but South Africa are now one of the weaker African nations.

Every host goes through a period of inertia before the World Cup. They've no qualifying to do and always look ring rusty. I know they messed up the African Nations qualifying royally, but with Parreiera back in charge they'll start to make some progress.

They're certs to get to the second round. By that point the tickets will have been sold, and FIFA will be happy.

I think they'll either get Portugal or France, just so that they do have a big team competing with them, and the other two teams will be poorer, Uruguay maybe, so that they have a massive game and two easy ones.

A reverse of the group they had in 98 (SA, France, Saudi Arabia and Denmark) would be a handy one for them, except the Saudis are Australia and the Danes and French can't be drawn together.

[shakermaker1982]

South Africa can't get another African country.

Greece would be way too strong. Ivory Coast and Ghana will make a big impression but South Africa are now one of the weaker African nations.

my mistake. Chile instead of Algeria and I'd still give them an outside shot of progressing to the 2nd round. McCarthy is back in the squad with Parreira in charge which should help.

[shakermaker1982]

England gain again.

Watch em go and draw New Zealand, Algeria and Slovenia.

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

[endabob1]

Bafana will need some divine intervention between now and June, can't see them getting past both Mexico and Uruguay, terrible draw for them, probably as tough as they could have got it. Parreira is good but he's no miracle worker, Mokoena, Pienaar, Parker, McCarthy are good players with European experience but Pienaar aside certainly nothing special McCarthy has attitude problems and is on the downhill of his career.

There are a couple of good domestic players, Modise is a tricky skilful player but goes missing too often for me, Tshabalala is a powerhouse central midfielder in the Frank Lampard mould, surprised he hasn't moved to Europe actually & Matt Booth, the 6ft 4 centre half who played in the Russian league (for the side Pats beat this year actually) before coming back to SA a year ago.
Comparing them to Ireland, Pienaar & possibly McCarthy & Tshabalala would be the only ones close to our side although the young full back Gaxa is very highly rated here, he's too much of a headless chicken for my liking.