World Cup Group H Preview

The last group to be previewed could be the most entertaining, and I'm not just saying that because Chile is in it. OK, so I have a vested interest in Chile doing well, but it's also one of the most relentless attacking teams in the tournament. Add to that the world's top-ranked team in Spain, another offensive team in Honduras and Switzerland, featuring future Seattle Sounder Blaise Nkufo, and you've got one of the most intriguing groups at the World Cup. There should be no shortage of goals in this group, so that alone makes it worth watching. Add to that the fact that there should be great competition for the second spot in the group, and this may be the foursome to watch.


Chile
This is only the second appearance in the World Cup for Chile since 1982, and the first since 1998, so the country, including the Allende household, is going nuts. But it hasn't won a World Cup game since it hosted the 1962 tournament and made it to the semifinals. But it helps that this is a sleeper team with a ton of offense that finished second in qualifying behind Brazil, a result that included La Roja's first-ever win over Argentina. This is a team loaded with offensive players and with a coach in Marcelo Bielsa who believes if you ain't attacking, you might as well be sleeping. One of the youngest teams in the tournament, it finished second to Brazil in scoring in qualifying and won many key games on the road, giving it plenty of confidence that it can win in South Africa.
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa. A terrific tactician who believes in all-out attack and is nicknamed El Loco, translated to the Mad Man. And he often seems mad, yelling at his players but getting results. He failed as Argentina's coach in the 2002 World Cup but clearly has this team clicking. His decision to rush a group of young players to the senior team has paid off.
Players to Watch
Claudio Bravo: An athletic, quick keeper who is emerging as one of the top in the world, he played every minute of qualification. Starter for Real Sociedad in Spain, he won't be overwhelmed by the Spanish attack. Coming off a knee injury, though, and he'll be under constant pressure given Chile's focus on attack. He's the team's captain.
Humberto Suazo: Starred in Mexico before moving on to Zaragoza in Spain, he's the top scorer on this squad. The 5-foot-7 forward scored a South America-high 10 goals in qualifying, though his production could be slowed by an injury that could keep him out of the opener. This is his opportunity to make a big name for himself internationally.
Mark Gonzalez: The fastest player on the team, he plays on a wing and his speed gives opponents trouble. Played at Liverpool and Real Betis in Spain, but had a mediocre season at CSKA Moscow.
Rodrigo Millar: Often overlooked among his higher-profile teammates, he's a fast, creative midfielder who can get upfield and score and could be the surprise player for Chile. Stars for Chilean power Colo Colo.
Alexis Sanchez: Just 21, he is the emerging star for Chile and could be one of the breakout players of the World Cup. A fast, attacking forward who has been on fire lately, he played regularly for Udinese in Serie A and will likely be moving even higher soon.


Honduras
Honduras loves American Jonathan Bornstein. Why? Because Bornstein's late goal in a meaningless game for the United States against Costa Rica forced a tie, which pushed Honduras ahead of the Costa Ricans in qualifying and into the World Cup. So, thank you Mr. Bornstein! This is only the Hondurans' second trip to the Cup, having gone winless in 1982. This is another heavily-offensive team that is constantly moving forward and is very dangerous. But it's also an aging team without much depth and it has not played well recently, so it will have to stay healthy and fresh to get through this group. The fact that forward Carlos Costly, who scored six goals in qualifying, will miss the tournament with injury, isn't a good start.
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda. A Colombian who is a national hero in Honduras for getting his team to South Africa, he believes in attacking like nuts, but is going to have to keep his aging team from collapsing, literally.
Players to Watch
Wilson Palacios: The best, and most well-known, player on the team, he was outstanding in qualifying. Not much of a scorer, he is a creative midfielder and a strong defender who has played very well at Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL.
Carlos Pavon: He's 36-years-old but still a strong striker who led the team with seven goals in qualifying. But he's also missed plenty of opportunities that make you wonder if he's missing them on purpose. I mean, I'm not saying the fix is on, but you gotta wonder.
Amado Guevara: The captain of the team and a former MLS MVP for the MetroStars. Another creative midfielder who pushes the attack forward.
David Suazo: A powerful forward who plays for Genoa in Serie A after being perpetually injured at Inter Milan. With Costly out, and Pavon old, he'll be counted on to be the main scoring threat for Honduras.
Maynor Figueroa: The most experienced of a thin group of defenders, but who needs defense, right? He'll have plenty of pressure in this group but has faced pressure before playing for Wigan in the EPL. He had an outstanding club season and could be the target of some bigger clubs, especially with a strong performance here.


Spain
Not much is known about these guys, but we hear they're pretty decent. OK, actually, this is the top-ranked team in the world and, along with Brazil, the co-favorite to win it all. Spain has been on the cusp for so long, it's hard to believe it's never won a World Cup, but despite having qualified nine times in a row, it's never made it past the quarterfinals. Another thing Spain has never done is lose to any of the teams in this group, going a combined 21-0-5. The Spanish dominated qualifying, outscoring foes 28-5, after winning Euro 2008. The only stumble was a shocking loss to the United States in the Confederations Cup last summer, but somehow Spain has moved on, continuing to show an amazingly dangerous attack, ridiculous midfield play and a strong back line. In fact, that's its only loss in its last 47 games. ...47 games! But, Spain has had very talented teams before and failed in the World Cup, and injuries are a definite issue, and. ...never mind, this team is ridiculously good, including keeper Iker Casillas, maybe the best in the world. So, he fits right in here.
Coach: Vicente del Bosque. He took over this team after it won Euro 2008, and just continued to roll with it. Not a bad gig to have. He was a very successful coach at Real Madrid and is noted for his ability to make a team of stars mesh well, which is pretty much the only thing he has to do with this team. He's won 96 percent of his games for Spain, which is kind of hard to fathom.
Players to Watch
Fernando Torres: Often hurt, including right now, but always great, the Liverpool striker is one of the world's best. Explosive, good on the ground and in the air, if his knee is even close to right, he's fabulous to watch.
Xavi: Might be the best midfielder in the history of Spain - which is saying a lot - he's an amazingly good ball handler and passer who leads the way for Spain and for Barcelona. But he also has a torn calf muscle that could severely limit him and would be a shame. ...unless you're the one playing Spain, in which case, party!
Cesc Fabregas: Is coming back from a broken leg so may not be ready, but if he is, he's another superstar to add to the mix.
David Silva: A midfielder for Valencia, he'd be the best player on most other teams but here he's just another talented attacker amongst of group of talented attackers.
Marcos Senna: See above, talented, but a reserve here who could make some noise if injuries continue.
Santi Cazorola: Provides great depth to a team that may need it.
Jesus Navas: Another talented reserve who could make a bigger name for himself if given the opportunity.
Joan Capdavila: It's not pronounced Joan, so give him a break. The 32-year-old from Valencia is often looked at as the weak link of a great defense, so there will be pressure on him to show he can be part of the gang too.
David Villa: Saved the best for last, as he's only the best attacker on the best attacking team in the world. Scores an average of two goals every three games, he's the leading scorer in La Liga over the last six years, the top scorer in qualifying, the top scorer in Euro 2008 and is as sure a finisher as there is in the world. Stars at Valencia, where he scored 21 goals this season, he is the favorite for the Golden Boot award, if he's able to see the ball enough with so much talent around him.


Switzerland
The Swiss actually lost to Luxembourg in qualifying - Luxembourg! - and looked dead in the water. But then things somehow turned around and here they are. A talented, successful coach leads this very young team that has some talent but is definitely considered a sleeper that will have to be at the top of its game to get through this group.
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld. Hitzfeld knows how to win, having won seven Budesliga titles and a Euro Cup with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. My life-long dream is to own a riding lawnmower. Hitzfeld's life-long dream was to coach the Swiss national team. One of us has achieved their dream. He keeps his team organized and prepared, so there won't be any surprises for Switzerland.
Players to Watch
Alexander Frei: Switzerland's all-time leading scorer is coming back from a broken arm and may not be ready to really contribute. Very experienced on the highest levels of play, the Swiss need him at the top of his game.
Tranquillo Barnetta: I don't know what to make of his name, but he's a really good midfielder and a key player in leading Bayern Leverkusen on an unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. He's creative and a strong attacker who was nominated for the Best Young Player award at the 2006 World Cup.
Blaise Nkufo: The one guy Seattle fans will be paying attention to as the 35-year-old scorer will be joining the Sounders after the World Cup. Born in the Congo, he refused to play for Switzerland for four years before Hitzfeld convinced him to come back. Nkufo then scored five times in qualifying, so good choice. This is his first and last World Cup and, mostly, Sounders fans just want him to stay healthy.
Xherdan Shaqiri: Just 18 and only a member of the national team since March, he did help lead FC Basel to two Swiss league titles and will be looking to move on to a higher level soon.
Philippe Senderos: He's a slow but solid defender who is physical and the leader of the Swiss back line. He has played poorly at club level as Arsenal dumped him on Everton, and Everton dumped him on the bench.
Benjamin Huggel: While Barnetta is busy scoring, it will be up to defensive midfielder Huggel to slow down the likes of Xavi, Humberto Suazo and Wilson Palacios. Thanks a lot, Barnetta.