FIFA World Cup Group B

The last time Argentina won the World Cup in 1986, Diego Maradona was its on-field inspiration. In 2010 he's coaching the national side which contains his heir apparent, Lionel Messi. "We want to break the curse after 24 years where we have not been given [the World Cup]," Maradona said. Standing in the South Americans' way in Group B are a stubborn Greece, as well as Nigeria and South Korea sides who came through qualifying undefeated.

On paper, Argentina has the players to top the group and progress a long way in the tournament. Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero are both gifted goal scorers, while Juan Sebastian Veron continues to defy the aging process in midfield. Maradona found himself able to exclude experienced Inter Milan duo Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti from his provisional squad, as well as attacking forces like Lucho Gonzalez and Lisandro Lopez, both of whom tore up the French league this season - although the wisdom of these decisions may yet be questioned.

It is upon World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi that the burden of expectation really falls, though. To date, he has failed to deliver his Barcelona form in an Argentina shirt. With Maradona not sure where to fit Messi into the team, an inconsistent Argentina came perilously close to not qualifying, needing an 84th-minute winner in Uruguay in their final game to secure an automatic spot. A recent 1-0 friendly victory over Germany showed signs of improvement but, with the unpredictable Maradona as coach, it is difficult to know what to expect from Argentina in South Africa.

Stubborn Rehhagel keeps Greece hard to beat

In many ways, Greece is a complete contrast to the Argentina team it will face off against in the final group game on June 22. Otto Rehhagel is a 71-year-old coaching veteran, who oversees a team of European efficiency, boasting few big names but instead a tight-knit unit. Greece unbelievably went all the way to win Euro 2004, although their defensive approach drew plenty of criticism. "We would play very beautiful football, if we had Kaka, Messi and Xavi," quipped Rehhagel.

Greece will play at only its second World Cup this summer. The squad consists of a large number of players based at home, although several of Rehhagel's trusted troops play their club football in the coach's native Germany. Angelos Charisteas of Nuremberg and Theofanis Gekas of Eintracht Frankfurt will probably be competing for a lone-striker role, as Greece again looks to frustrate its opponents with a disciplined approach.

Undefeated records to defend

South Korea is now an established presence at the top table of world soccer. This is its seventh consecutive World Cup appearance and in 2002, on home soil, only a goal from Germany's Michael Ballack denied it in the World Cup semi-final. SC Freiburg's Cha Du-Ri and Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung are two of the more familiar faces in a team that went undefeated in qualifying for South Africa.

Nigeria achieved the same feat in qualifying for its fourth World Cup. The "Super Eagles" were Olympic champions in 1996 and have caused upsets on the biggest stage in the past. Porstmouth striker Nwankwo Kanu, who is listed at 33 years old but whose age remains a subject of intense speculation, has World Cup experience from 1998 and 2002. Hamburg's Dennis Aogo chose to represent Germany over Nigeria, but VfL Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins is part of Lars Lagerback's squad. The former Sweden top man only got the job as national team coach in February so hasn't had long to work with his players before the tournament.

With Argentina expected to go out ahead, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece are fairly evenly matched in their race for second in the group. "The group looks like you could get through it", Greece coach Rehhagel said. "But the small teams have got somewhat bigger and you should always be on guard." With both Greece and South Korea's rigidly systematized sides likely to try and keep things tight, the group doesn't promise too many goals. Argentina against Nigeria on June 12 should be the pick of the games.

Author: Thomas Klein / tms
Editor: Matt Hermann