A Ballsy Yet Bashful Breakdown of Group B

And on to the second group, featuring Greece, South Korea, Nigeria and Argentina. A solid group filled with the potential for shocks, goals and the great unknown.

Greece had provided one of the greatest shocks in footballing history by winning Euro 2004 although they did it with an super defensive tactical style. By sticking with Otto Rehhagel, the ancient architect of that victory they certainly suggested a stubborn wilyness but I wasn't alone in hoping lightning couldn't strike twice for a journeyman like Angelos Charisteas. South Korea had achieved some similarly spectacular results on home soil in 2002, albeit fading at the semi final stage. That run was based on the shrewdness of Guus Hiddink, a few dodgy decisions and a team that worked incredibly hard. That last factor was the only thing they could definitely rely on in sweet SA and was typified by the efforts of the legendary Park Ji Sung.

The disappointment looked liked it might come from South America. With the craziest coach in the land who had led them through a sticky qualification by utilising a shedload of players and taking a hammering in Bolivia only brave could have backed Maradona to repeat his playing success on the sidelines, even with an amazing Messi dictating play. Nigeria have a population of 150 million but have yet to translate those numbers into footballing success, barring a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. Legends like Jay-Jay Okacha had fallen when the going got tough in previous tournaments, perhaps players like the mighty Martins might lift the Super Eagles up where they belong. This was a group where anyone might sneak points from anyone but only with plenty of grunting.

Unfortunately Nigeria again failed to live up to promise. So much so that President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to withdraw them from international competition for two years to sort their heads out. Lars Lagerback had obviously instilled some organisation in the defence and the attack still threatened but individual mistakes cost, and the World Cup is where they started paying. In goal Enyeama pulled off some special saves that earned him a man of the match award against Greece but it was a howler against Greece that added evidence to the Jabulauni inquest. Whilst cruising against the insipid Grecians a split second of madness from Kaita also helped snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And after fighting back against the South Koreans Yakubu missed a chance Wayne Rooney would've scored that cost them dear in the final reckoning.

Fortunately the exciting Argentina turned up and played some of the best football of the group stages. They scored goals, survived aggressive marking tactics and allowed a cheeky bearded chappy to gesticulate wildly on the bench. Veron made Sir Alex look an idiot but then Messi just wasn't quite there,despite a flash or two he was either hustled out, too tired or not really that good. But then everybody else had done plenty so there would be a chance to for the young man to try again against a fragile Mexico defence in the last 16.

It turned out to be a fight between two of the noughties most unexpected success stories for second place. In a win for hard graft over hard tackles the Koreans edged it by a point, mainly thanks to their only convincing display, a opening 2-0 victory and the Greeks failing to grind out a point in their final game. Frankly neither were overly convincing, second spot was the Nigerians for the taking and it was another case of quite near and still so far for an African team.