Whatever the draw, Brazil is the favorite to win (AP) Updated: 2005-12-05 09:34
LONDON (AP) - From Argentina to Angola, England to Ecuador, the 32
contenders for the World Cup title all dream of winning the game's biggest
prize.
Realistically, it looks like a one-horse race.
Brazilian soccer
players Kaka, Cafu, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Roberto Carlos (L-R)
pose while filming a commercial in Madrid December 1, 2005. Picture taken
December 1, 2005. [Reuters] |
As the coaches descend on Leipzig, Germany, wondering who they'll get in the
draw on December 9, they have one other major concern: How do you stop Brazil?
The United States is back for the fifth time in a row and hoping to improve
on its quarterfinal finish in 2002. Argentina, Italy, France and host Germany
are among the leading candidates to reach the final, and the English believe
they have their best team since they won the title 39 years ago.
But they all have an eye on the defending champions, who arguably will bring
the strongest Brazilian national team ever to the 2006 World Cup. Carlos Alberto
Parreira's team is a favorite to win a sixth title no matter who it draws in its
group.
Despite having five of the best attackers in the world at his disposal _ Real
Madrid's Ronaldo and Robinho, Barcelona's Ronaldinho, AC Milan's Kaka and Inter
Milan's Adriano _ Parreira refuses to field all of them at the same time. He
figures that will weaken the team's defense.
"Let's not get carried away," Parreira said as Brazil looks to win the title
for the third time in four World Cups _ it lost in the 1998 final to France.
"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. A football team has to have balance."
Two days before the 32 teams will be turned into eight groups of four, FIFA
and the championship committee will decide how to seed them. In the past,
seeding has been based on previous results in international competitions, but
there could be changes this time to reflect the growth of the game in Africa,
Asia and the United States.
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