Group D could easily be proclaimed the Group of Death because it contains one top contender and three other teams that could be dark horses in this tournament.
Spain Vs. Japan 9:30 a.m. ET
Spain is easily the deepest squad and the one most favored to win the Olympic Gold. The squad they field in this tournament may one day be the identical club that they send to the World Cup and Euro Cup tournaments. David De Gea is said to be the heir to Iker Casillas as Spain's next top keeper. Jordi Alba was the breakout star of the Euro Cup 2012 and is a rock in the defensive zone. Javier Martinez, Isco, Oriol Romeu are all tremendous midfielders that will employ Spain's trademark tiki taka, and Adrian Lopez and Juan Mata are both lethal up top. Mata was on the World Cup and Euro 2012 champions but saw little time on the field. This is his time to shine. Adrian scored five goals in the qualifying tournament and could be the next David Villa and Rafael Gonzalez for Spain.
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MILLA Luis |
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Spain's biggest competition in this group is also their first rival. Japan boasts offensive and defensive talent that is making news in Europe. Midfielder Takashi Usami secured a loan to the Bundesliga club Hoffenheim after scoring six goals in 18 appearances for Bayern Munich's second string club. He will get help from Borussia Monchengladbach striker Yuki Otsu and Omiya Ardija playmaker Keigo Higashi who both played incredibly well during the qualification rounds. Finally, the team boasts a tremendous goalkeeper in Shuichi Gonda and a top defender in Hannover's Hiroki Sakai. Japan is a deep squad that can match up well with any team in the group. They will be one of the most exciting teams in the tournament.
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SEKIZUKA Takashi |
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Prediction: 3-0 Spain. Japan will have its day in this tournament, but not against an powerful Spanish side.
Honduras Vs. Morocco 7:00 a.m. ET
Honduras is the underdog of this group despite an impressive qualification tournament that saw them push champion Mexico to the brink. Strikers Eddie Hernandez and Roger Rojas were impressive in the qualifying tournament and accounted for six of Honduras' nine goals in those matches. Hernandez in particular will be key to this team' success at the Olympics. Maynor Figeuroa and Roger Espinoza bring over their experience from the 2010 World Cup in which the team was grouped with eventual Champion Spain. Honduras also boasts three MLS players in Jerry Bengston, Roger Espinoza and Andy Najar.
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SUAREZ Luis |
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Morocco finished loss to second in the CAF qualifying tournament after a shocking defeat to unknown Gabon. They got through the group stage with two wins and a loss before knocking out Egypt 3-2. A 2-1 loss to Gabon was a clear upset, but this team has depth. Up top, Zakaria Labdya provides a strong threat while such players as Abdelaziz Barrada and Driss Fettouhi add strength in the midfield. Throw in a strong coaching presence from Pim Verbeek and you have a team that is more than capable of taking down Japan or Honduras to advance in this tournament.
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VERBEEK Pim |
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Prediction: 1-1 draw. Both teams play a see-saw match that eventually transforms into a conservative defensive affair as both teams opt to get the single point.
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