Group G: Extremely tough pool

Group of death or not, a pool that has Germany, Portugal, U.S., and Ghana is definitely not on any World Cup-bound team’s wish list.

A website (MLS.soccer.com) reported last week that the latest FIFA rankings made Group D as the new “group of death,” but Group G remains to be the toughest among the eight groups. The No. 2 Germany, No. 4 Portugal, No. 13 U.S. and No. 37 Ghana have an average ranking of 14, just half a point behind Group D (No. 7 Uruguay, No. 9 Italy, No. 10 England, and No. 28 Costa Rica).

Group G teams’ history in the World Cup, notable performance in their respective confederation and qualifying tournaments, presence and absence of key players, and familiarity make this bracket a very interesting one.

The Germans won the Cup three times (1954, 1974, and 1990) and in the last three editions of the tournament, the Die Adler had advanced to the finals once (2002) and to the semis twice (2006 and 2010).

In the Euro 2012, Germany also qualified in the semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Italy in the Final Four, 1-2. In the World Cup qualifier, the Germans won nine games with no loss, scoring a zone-best 36 goals. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and rising star Mesut Ozil suited up for the Germans in Euro 2012 and qualifying and are back in Brazil to team up with Thomas Muller and several other young and promising players of coach Joachim Low, who will be missing midfielder Marco Reus (ankle injury)

Portugal also barged into the semifinals of the Euro 12, losing to eventual champion Spain in a shootout, 2-4. As for their World Cup record, the Portuguese are making their sixth appearance in the event after passing the group stage in 2010. In 2006, Portugal, which had its best finish in the World Cup in 1966 (third) was in the semifinals and lost to France.

Leading Portugal’s side is no other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored three goals (the most and tied five other players) in Euro 2012. Ronaldo is still recovering from a left thigh injury and knee tendinitis on the same leg and if he fails to get well fast, Portugal will need solid games from Pep, Bruno Alves, Joao Pereira, and Fabio Coentrao to live up to its lofty billing.

Like Portugal, the United States’ best showing in the World Cup was a third place finish (1930) and the Americans will aim to better that performance this year—without the country’s first player to score 50 goals in international tournament—Landon Donovan.

The three-time World Cup veteran was excluded on the World Cup roster of new coach Jurgen Klinsmann after Donovan suited up for the Americans in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which they won over Panama, 1-0. Donovan scored five goals in the zone championship, including two in their 3-1 semis conquest of Honduras.

With the Americans, who also topped the qualifying in their zone, questionably passing up on Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Chris Wondolowski (who took Donovan’s spot), and Michael Bradley will have to step up big time to prove Klinsmann’s move is not a blunder. Without Donovan, only five (including goalkeeper Tim Howard) players from the team’s 2010 roster are back on the squad this year, making the Star and Stripes an inexperienced squad.

Ghana is bringing familiar faces, who for two straight times (2006 and 2010) helped the team become the only African squad to survive the group stage.

Making it three in a row could be a daunting task. However, Ghana’s outstanding showing in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying proved the Black Stars are up for the job.

Ghana was a semifinalist in the zone championship, losing to eventual champion Zambia in the semis. In the zone qualifying, the Black Stars finished with a second field-best 6-0-2 win-draw-loss record. Young guns Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan and Kevin-Prince Boateng are Ghana’s anchor on offense, while returnees Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari will provide leadership on the squad.

Interestingly, Gyan and Black Stars will be in Brazil to prove that they can make it 3-0 against the Americans after a 2-1 victory in the group stage in 2006 and another 2-1 win in the Round of 16 in 2010. Gyan scored the go-ahead goal in Ghana’s triumph in South Africa after Donovan hit the equalizer. Boateng nailed the other goal.

Also hoping to stretch its streak is Germany, who is 3-0 against Portugal since 2006. The Germans won the battle for third place in the 2006 World Cup, 3-1, and also prevailed in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals, 3-2, and Euro 2012 third place match, 2-1.

The face-off is not limited to the four teams, as it is extended to coaches, too. Klinssman was Germany’s coach from 2004 to 2006 and will be colliding against Low, the U.S. mentor’s former lieutenant.