BIG GUNS THROUGH IN GROUP A.

Germany and Argentina have made light work of reaching the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 Semi-finals. The two teams,who are already assured of a World Cup appearance next year, have negotiated the group stage without defeat. A win for Brazil tonight against Japan will also see them into the semi's along with Mexico, from group B.

The German hosts will be especialy happy to continue in the tournament, having been starved of competitive football. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann will be quite pleased with the progress made by his squad, and would love them to go all the way here, to set them up for next years FIFA world cup. Argentina meanwhile, having just qualified for next years festival of football, will be keen to put down a marker too. The South American giants who qualified second from thier group, with a very similar record to the hosts, will surely relish the chance to show what they can do.

Group B of this intercontinental showpiece has been a much closer affair, though a win, or draw for Brazil against a plucky Japan side tonight, will see them into the semi finals along with Mexico. The Japanese, who have performed credibly, will enjoy the fact that they have beaten the European champions along the way, although the Greeks faults have been found out a bit since the Euro triumph. Greece, without a goal yet in this tornament, no longer have the eliment of supprise to help them, and there defensive style of play is begining to show some cracks.

What of the remainder of the tournament? Well ahead of tonights games, we are still unsure of the semi final line up, but if we assume Brazil can avoid defeat, it will be Germany, Argentina, Mexico and the Brazilians who make up the four. Mexico, and Brazil still have work to do of course, to qualify for the World Cup, so it is group A, of this tournament which I think will produce the eventual winner.

While both Brazil and Mexico have undoubted talent, the fact that they still have one eye on World Cup qualification, one feels this will give the advantage to Germany and Argentina for this one.

Despite losing the suspended Schweinsteiger for the semi final,
the Germans seem to be moving in the right direction under Klinsmann, and home advantage may just give them the edge.

Submitted by Chris Newton

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