At least one sleeper should emerge

Some of the less-heralded countries might wind up as this year's surprise and knock off a powerhouse.
By JOSH DUBOW
ASSOCIATED PRESS
From Roger Milla and Cameroon's "Indomitable Lions" in 1990 to South Korea's Red Devils four years ago, upsets abound at the World Cup. At least one sleeper almost always emerges.
In a sport where the margin of victory can be as little as a blown call, a shot off the goalpost or an own goal, some of the less-heralded countries might wind up this year's surprise and knock off one of the game's powerhouses.
"Anything can happen in football, so if we're among the 32 best teams in the world, at some point we will get the opportunity to reach the quarterfinals or the semifinals or the final," Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba said. "Or we will be eliminated in the first round because the level of the competition is really high and the teams that reach this far are the best."
Debut
The Ivorians, one of four African teams making their debut at the World Cup, have a tough draw with Argentina and the Netherlands in their first-round group. They also have the talent to pull off a shocker or two.
Along with Drogba, who stars at Chelsea, the team also will have European-league veterans Bonaventure Kalou, Kolo Toure, Aruna Dindane and Didier Zokora.
Ivory Coast is not alone as a potential sleeper.
Guus Hiddink, who coached South Korea to a stunning run to the semifinals in 2002, is at the helm of an Australian squad making only its second World Cup appearance. Led by a contingent of English-based players, the Socceroos are hoping to advance from a group that features Brazil, Croatia and Japan.
"I know that the team is not settling down and just participating. This team is so eager to get a surprise to get into the second round," Hiddink said.
Other teams that should not be overlooked: Ukraine, led by AC Milan's star striker Andriy Shevchenko, and Paraguay, with Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz.
Services are needed
Ukraine, coached by former Soviet star Oleh Blokhin, lost only once in qualifying for its first World Cup. Ukraine needs Shevchenko, considered one of the best goal scorers in the world, to be fully recovered from a knee injury to make a long run in the tournament.
While the final is usually dominated by a few traditional powerhouses -- Germany, Brazil, Italy, Argentina and the Netherlands have accounted for all-but-one appearance in the title game since 1970 -- it's often what happens before the last match that is so memorable.
And that's what gives hope to some of the tournament's biggest underdogs.
"Every weekend all over the world, smaller, so-called weaker teams beat stronger teams," said Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker. "If Northern Ireland beat England, why can't Trinidad. We have the right to the same ambition on the field as any other team."
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