World Cup Preview Part 1: Group A & B

With the World Cup just a week away I decided it was time to do a short preview of the teams involved, but from a Leeds fan perspective. Why I hear you ask? Well, I don’t know. But here’s Part 1, focussing on Group A & B.

Brazil

Leeds have only ever had two World Cup winners: Jack Charlton and Roque Junior. Roque Junior. I wrote about Roque at length last year but needless to say he was shite for us. He may have even been shite for Brazil. There is very little proof of him ever being good… ever. But there’s plenty of proof of him being shite. In 2002 we also nearly signed Kleberson. Bullet dodged.

Should we support them?

Yeah, may as well. They’re one of the favourites and if they don’t win then the anger of the Brazilian public will be fun to join in with. Throw a shoe at your television or something you dirty Leeds bastard.

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Cameroon

Another 2003/2004 loanee Salomon Olembe is our only real link to Cameroon. He was less shite than Roque. But he was still shite.

Should we support them?

Probably not. They’ll lose and stuff. Though they do share their name with our winger Cameroon Stewart… No? Listen I have very little to work with here ok.

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Croatia

No links to Croatia. None. Have we ever even played a Croatian team in Europe? Not that I can remember. Mind you, I’ve done very little (no) research.

Should we support them?

I will anyway. The memory of them beating England in Euro 2008 qualifying remains a good one. Plus Davor Suker was pretty cool.

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Mexico

We’ve never had a Mexican. I’m starting to doubt if this whole thing was a good idea.

Should we support them?

NO. They have Javier Hernandez upfront and I simply cannot support that little pea count. I drew Mexico in the World Cup office pool so the bastards have already cost me €3.

Australia

Ahh, the land of Viduka, Kisnorbo, Kewell… and Burns. Oh and Neil Kilkenny sort of. That time Kewell scored against England was pretty cool, up there with David Healy with goals against England that Leeds fans enjoyed.

Should we support them?

Viduka is a great man but the sins of Harry Kewell make it impossible to get behind them. Plus I’ve always disliked the name THE SOCCEROOS. Sounds like a icepop.

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Chile

Err, nope. No connections. Red Hot Chilli Peppers released a few good albums back in the day. I like chilli sauce. Isn’t it funny that chilli sauce is actually HOT? That’s all I’ve got.

Should we support them?

Maybe, they’re a good team and should give the bigger teams a game. Alexis Sanchez is a hell of a player, even though he has a strippers name.

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Netherlands

We’ve had good experiences with the Dutch for the most part, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink represented them at World Cup 98 as a Leeds player so that was nice. They never gave Robert Molenaar a cap though but I suppose we can’t hold that against them, he was pretty scary. Imagine calling him?

Should we support them?

Robin Van Persie up front and the next Man Utd manager in the dugout? Get tae frick Holland, the only windmilling I’m interested in does not occur in fields.

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Spain

Noticing a lot of loanees so far, with Raul Bravo the only Spaniard that comes to mind having played for Leeds. Spain brings to mind away trips in our Champions League days, when we played in Spain on four occasions. (and err, lost all four)

Should we support them?

I think the world is ready to see Spain lose. I am anyway? Are you? Of course you are.

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