World Cup 2010

Hopes And Expectations

The World Cup fever are coming on. The broadcast schedule looked fine for me, though circle of sleep will be disturb. Early kick -offs at around 8pm and late kick -offs (major games) at around 2 am.

This list will roughly sum up my hope and expectation on this event.

Teams I want to see them to do well:
England.
Follow by Netherland, Portugal, all African Teams, and all Asian Teams except Australia.

Teams I want see them had a bad tournament:
Spain, Argentina, France, Italy, Germany, USA.

Players I want to watch closely:
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Yoann Gourcuff, Marek Hamsik

Most exciting group:
Group G (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea)
Follow by Group A (South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France) and Group D (Germany, Ghana, Serbia, Australia)

Surprise Packages /Possible Dark Horses:
Serbia, North Korea, Denmark.

Expected Semi Finalist:
Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain.

Golden Boot Winner Nominees

David Villa, Wayne Rooney, Luis Fabiano, Ronaldo.

Golden Ball Nominees

Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Lucio, Wayne Rooney

Other hopes:

• No referee blunder cost a significant result particularly in big games.
• No injury and suspension to major player in latter stage of tournament.
• Not many penalty shoot out to determine a winner.
• Deserved World Cup and Golden Boot winner.
• More comical /memorable moments like Rivaldo in World Cup 2002 (he fake an injury in Brazil - Turkey match), or Zidane headbutted Materazzi in 2006.
• No United players had terrible injury (broken bones or something need a surgery)
• No terrorist /hooligans act and threat.
• I didn't miss any games (especially last 16)