World Cup Preview: Group D

I have to catch up because I forgot to post a world cup preview last week and so here is the other one of this week. We are looking at Group D which is a hard group to choose from and in my opinion is a close second to a group of death. The group features Uruguay, Italy, England, and Costa Rica. In 2010, Uruguay had a dream run through the competition as the team finished in fourth place (which it's done two other times 1954 and 1970). The team desperately wants to achieve glory like they did in 1930 and 1950 when they upset host nation Brazil. It's 64 years later and the team wants to repeat that magic again in Brazil, but its going to be a tough road ahead for a team that features ageing legend Diego Forlan, the 2011 player of the tournament in the Copa America in Luis Suarez, and Diego Lugano. It's not going to be easy for the team, but they have a good chance of doing it more than Costa Rica. Their toughest test of the tournament will be against the Italians who Uruguay last faced in the Confederations Cup in a game that ended 2 to 2. The rematch between the  two teams should be one heck of a thrill ride as the two teams will probably be jockeying for first place.

The last time Costa Rica did any significant damage in a world cup was back in their very first one in 1990 where they were eliminated in the round of 16. Since then, the team has either failed to qualify or hasn't been able to escape the group stage which could be in their future this year. Keylor Navas was a big part of the reason Costa Rica qualified for the world cup so he is going to have to have a big tournament and hope that Bryan Ruiz has a big tournament as well. I think their best chance at a win will come against the English as Costa Rica's defense will be sure to halt the English offensive blitzkrieg.

I am not a firm believer in the English national team because this is a squad that is going to have to rely on a lot of young players. I don't think this team is ready to move on yet or they could have a coming out party. It can go either way. Joe Hart is going to have to have a huge tournament in goal and prove that his Manchester City coach was telling the truth about him when he said he was the most talented goalkeeper. Wayne Rooney has won every honor possible expect for a world cup and a lot of his tournament appearances have not ended the way he would have liked it to. To me, England may have drawn one of the toughest groups, but they were shaky in a qualifying group that they should have easily handled.

Italy is a team that some are calling possible contenders for the World Cup title and why not, they must be one of the oldest teams in the competition. Gianluigi Buffon is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world with 138 caps for the Italian team. He wants to help erase the embarrassing exit Italy had in the last world cup when they were defending champs. He is going to need help if Italy hopes to move on in the tournament especially from Mario Balotelli. Balotelli in my opinion hasn't really come out yet for the team even though he has shown us in the past that he has it within himself to be "Super Mario". His teamwork with Pablo Osvaldo is going to be key for Italy's success in this tournament and that two headed monster may be enough.

Italy 7 points
Uruguay 5 points
England 4 points
Costa Rica 0 points