Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Slovakia

Slovakia are in Group F and will play New Zealand, Paraguay and Italy. This is the Slovakian squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Dusan Pernis, Club- Dundee United, Age at the World Cup (AWC) 25.

RB. Peter Pekarik, Club- Wolfsburg, (AWC) 23.

CB. Csaba Horvath, Club- ADO Den Haag, (AWC) 28.

CB. Martin Skrtel, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 25.

LB. Lubos Hanzel, Club- Schalke 04, (AWC) 23.

CM. Marek Hamsik, Club- Napoli, (AWC) 22.

CM. Marek Sapara, Club- Ankaragucu (Turkey), (AWC) 27.

RW. Filip Holosko, Club- Besiktas JK (Turkey), (AWC) 26.

LW. Miroslav Stoch, Club- FC Twente, (AWC) 20.

ST. Marek Mintal, Club- FC Nuremberg, (AWC) 32.

ST. Stanislav Sestak, Club- VFL Bochum, (AWC) 27.

Subs

GK. Jan Mucha, Club- Legia Warsaw (Poland), (AWC) 27.

GK. Lubos Kamenar, Club- FC Nantes (Ligue 2), (AWC) 22.

RB. Matej Krajcik, Club- SK Slavia Praha (Czech Republic), (AWC) 32.

CB. Jan Durica, Club- Hannover, (AWC) 28.

CB. Martin Petras, Club- Cesena (Serie B), (AWC) 30.

LB. Marek Cech, Club- West Bromwich Albion (Championship), (AWC) 27.

CDM. Miroslav Karhan, Club- FSV Mainz 05 (2nd Bundesliga), (AWC) 33.

CDM. Zdeno Strba, Club- Skoda Xanthi (Greece), (AWC) 34.

RW. Vladimir Weiss, Club- Manchester City, (AWC) 20.

LW. Dusan Svento, Club- Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), (AWC) 24.

ST. Robert Vittek, Club- Ankaragucu (Turkey), (AWC) 28.

ST. Martin Jakubko, Club- Saturn Moscow Oblast, (AWC) 30.

The Coach

Slovakia are coached by compatriot Vladimir Weiss. The Slovakian national team is the first time Weiss has coached a national team. Weiss has previously coached Slovakian club Artmedia Petrzalka and Russian club FC Saturn Moscow Oblast.

Slovakia's strengths

Slovakia can call upon a solid defence and Marek Hamsik in midfield and Marek Mintal up front give them a strong spine.

Slovakia's weakness

The Slovakia squad consists mostly of workmen like players and lacks a true superstar. There is also a question over Slovakia's quality of depth.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Portugal

Portugal are in group G and will play the Ivory Coast, North Korea and Brazil. This is the Portugal squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Eduardo, Club- Barga (Portugal), Age at World Cup (AWC) 27.

RB. Miguel, Club- Valencia, (AWC) 30.

CB. Pepe, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 27.

CB. Ricardo Carvalho, Club- Chelsea, (AWC) 32.

LB. Goncalo Brando, Club- A.C. Siena, (AWC) 23.

CDM. Miguel Veloso, Club- Sporting Lisbon, (AWC) 24.

RW. Cristiano Ronaldo, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 25.

CAM. Joao Moutinho, Club- Sporting Lisbon, (AWC) 23.

LW. Simao Sabrosa, Club- Atletico Madrid, (AWC) 30.

ST. Liedson, Club- Sporting Lisbon, (AWC) 32.

ST. Hugo Almeida, Club- Werder Bremen, (AWC) 26.

Subs

GK. Rui Patricio, Club- Sporting Lisbon, (AWC) 22.

GK. Henrique Hilario, Club- Chelsea, (AWC) 34.

RWB. Joao Pereira, Club- Sporting Lisbon, (AWC) 26.

CB. Bruno Alves, Club- FC Porto, (AWC) 28.

CB. Rolando, Club- FC Porto, (AWC) 24.

LB. Paulo Ferreria, Club- Chelsea, (AWC) 31.

CM. Raul Meireles, Club- FC Porto, (AWC) 27.

CAM. Deco, Club- Chelsea, (AWC) 32.

LM. Duda, Club- Malaga, (AWC) 29.

RW. Nani, Club- Manchester United, (AWC) 23.

ST. Numo Gomes, Club- Benfica, (AWC) 33.

ST. Ariza Makukula, Club- Kayserispor, (AWC) 29.

The Coach

Portugal are coached by compatriot Carlos Queiroz. This is the second time Queiroz has been in charge of the Portugal national, previously coaching in them between 1991 and 1993. In between his two stints as national team coach Queiroz coached club sides in Portugal, the USA, Japan, and Spain and the United Arab Emirates and South Africa national teams.

Portugal's strengths

Portugal are a strong team and should be considered as a dark horse to win the World Cup, their biggest strength is their Cristiano Ronaldo lead midfield.

Portugal's weakness

What stops Portugal being considered a favourite for the World Cup is the quality of their forwards, although Liedson and Hugo Almeida are goods forwards, they're are not world class strikers.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on New Zealand

New Zealand are in Group F and will play Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay. This is the New Zealand squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Mark Paston, Club- Wellington, Age at World Cup (AWC) 33.

RB. Steven Old, Club- Kilmarnock, (AWC) 24.

CB. Christian Bouckenooghe, Club- K.S.V Roeselare (Belgium), (AWC) 33.

CB. Ryan Nelsen, Club- Blackburn, (AWC) 32.

LB. Tony Lochhead, Club- Wellington, (AWC) 28.

CDM. Simon Elliott, Club- San Jose, (AWC) 36.

RM. Duncan Oughton, Club- Columbus, (AWC) 32.

CM. Michael McGlinchey, Club- Motherwell, (AWC) 23.

LW. Jeremy Brockie, Club- North Queensland, (AWC) 22.

ST. Chris Killen, Club- Middlesbrough (Championship), (AWC) 28.

ST. Rory Fallon, Club- Plymouth Argyle (Championship), (AWC) 28.

Subs

GK. Glen Moss, Club- Melbourne, (AWC) 27.

GK. James Bannatyne, Club- Team Wellington, (AWC) 34.

RB. Dave Mulligan, Club- Wellington, (AWC) 28.

CB. Andrew Boyens, Club- New York, (AWC) 26.

CB. Ben Sigmund, Club- Wellington, (AWC) 29.

LB. Tommy Smith, Club- Brentford (League 1), (AWC) 20.

CDM. Ivan Vicelich, Club- Auckland City F.C., (AWC) 33.

CM. Tim Brown, Club- Wellington, (AWC) 29.

RW. Leo Bertos, Club- Wellington, (AWC) 28.

CAM. Graig Henderson, Club- Mjallby AIF (Sweden), (AWC) 22.

ST. Shane Smeltz, Club- Gold Coast, (AWC) 28.

ST. Chris Wood, Club- West Bromwich Albion (Championship), (AWC) 18.

Agree with my selections?

The Coach

New Zealand are coached by New Zealander Ricki Herbert. Herbert began his coaching career, coaching various club sides in New Zealand. Herbert was made coach of the New Zealand national team side in 2005. In 2007 Herbert was named as coach of new A-league side Wellington Phoenix, whilst still continuing to coach New Zealand. He still continues to coach both sides.

New Zealand's Strengths

New Zealand are a tall, physical side, this will make them their most threatening from corners, crossers and free kicks.

New Zealand's Weakness

New Zealand will go to the World Cup as one of the minnows, however they are especially weak on the left of midfield.