Preview: Group F - All White Riot!

Italy - Slovakia - New Zealand - Paraguay

This group is all about New Zealand. Someone pointed out to me that having a team named the All Whites involved in a tournament in South Africa was perhaps a touch culturally insensitive. But that is nothing compared to their badminton team. They were once called the Black Cocks. I wonder how they would have gone down.

But that is exactly what I love about the Kiwis. They don't bow to convention. The fact that no-one knows the first thing about them will work in their favour. So will the fact they play three genuine forwards and run all game. I saw their games against Bahrain, and I saw them live as they showed the Socceroos a beginners guide to football at the MCG last month. They will go OK. Get on board - it will be a riot.

As for who will finish second, well I guess it will be Italy with their obligatory combination of off-field drama and on field cynicism. Paraguay may have topped South American qualifying, but they have a poor record at finals, and their leading goal-scorer now has a bullet in his head. And Slovakia...? Well, I've never seen them play... Have you?

No, didn't think so...