Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Qualification should be relatively straight forward for Argentina in the second of three World Cup groups which feature teams from four different continents. That said, the battle for second should be pretty fierce, with Nigeria standing out with a quasi home advantage.
Saturday 12 June, 12.30pm: Korea Republic v Greece
Saturday 12 June, 3pm: Argentina v Nigeria
Thursday 17 June, 12.30pm: Argentina v Korea Republic
Thursday 17 June, 3pm: Greece v Nigeria
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Nigeria v Korea Republic
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Greece v Argentina
LondonTown top two prediction: Argentina & Nigeria
Argentina
What better place to support Argentina during the World Cup than at Buen Ayre, an animated Argentinean grill restaurant at Hackney's Broadway Market offering an unrivalled meat fiesta. With its traditional parrilladas (mixed grills), the popular London Fields establishment was seen by one famous food critic as one of the best things to happen to London on opening in the 90s. Yes, it may be located in the depths of East London, but once you're through its doors, Buen Ayre masquerades convincingly as Buenos Aires and will be the perfect place to watch Lionel Messi do his magic. Interestingly, England manager Fabio Capello is a fan of the restaurant and his photo appears on Buen Ayre's wall of fame. Maradona's side are amongst the tournament favourites and should qualify easily from the group with Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Messi forming a formidable attacking trident. Sister restaurant A La Cruz in Farringdon will also be showing the Argentina games, as well as those of other South American teams. Steak and football - is there a better combination?
Saturday 12 June, 3pm: Argentina v Nigeria
Thursday 17 June, 12.30pm: Argentina v Korea Republic
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Greece v Argentina
Nigeria
You won't forget a visit to Obalende Suya in a hurry - and if there's one place in London to watch the World Cup this summer, this is it. Not a normal pub or even a regular sports venue as such, this shrine to Nigeria is the home of the Nigerian Arsenal fan club (born in the Nwanku Kanu years) and packs a huge crowd for the country's major football matches. Usually, the focus of the Dalston restaurant is the huge grill in the middle of the impressive open-plan kitchen. All types of meat and fish are grilled and served with a range of traditional sides such as pounded yam and jollof rice. Side dishes include yilata (grilled gizzards), goat and pepper soup, and stewed snail. Obalende Suya started out in the back of a trailer in Elephant & Castle before opening this flagship outlet in Dalston (523 Kingsland Road, 020 7275 0171) and Peckham (43 Peckham High Street, 020 7703 7033). Another option is the Nigerian restaurant Mama Calabar in Wembley. The Super Eagles are back in the tournament after missing out in 2006 - although they are hardly the force they were back in the '90s when making it to the last 16 twice. Chelsea's Mikel John Obi and Wolfsburg's Obefemi Martins are the main stars in a squad that still has room - believe it or not - for that man Kanu.
Saturday 12 June, 12.30pm: Korea Republic v Greece
Thursday 17 June, 3pm: Greece v Nigeria
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Greece v Argentina
Korea Republic
The south west London suburb of New Malden has the largest expatriate community of South Koreans in Europe and is one of the most densely populated areas of Koreans outside South Korea, with an estimated population of around 20,000. During the 2002 World Cup, which was held in South Korea and Japan, Koreans from all over the country flocked to New Malden to support their team on its unexpected run to the semi-final. Beating Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain, the Korea Republic finally succumbed 1-0 to eventual runners-up Germany. Things weren't so successful for the Taegeuk Warriors last time round but Park Ji-Sung's side will be eyeing progress from the group alongside Argentina. The Fountain pub at the roundabout on Malden Road will pull in much of the Korean population for their nation's World Cup games and in previous tournaments the large beer garden has been a sea of red as fans gather to show support to their team. It's not the nicest of pubs, but the atmosphere for Korea Republic games promises to be pretty electric.
Saturday 12 June, 12.30pm: Korea Republic v Greece
Thursday 17 June, 12.30pm: Argentina v Korea Republic
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Nigeria v Korea Republic
Greece
When Greece emerged unlikely winners of Euro 2004 there were spontaneous parties on the streets of London, most notably at Bayswater, one of the major centres of the capital's Greek community. Despite its solitary TV screen, the family-run Byzantium Cafe on Moscow Road was a popular destination for many Greeks who crammed in to support their team beat Portugal 1-0 in the final. A repeat of their Euro triumph on the global stage is far from likely - this is only the second time the Greeks have qualified for the knock-out stages and for the first time they lost all three games and failed to score - but the open nature of the group means second place behind Argentina is a definite target. An alternative venue to watch Greece is Camden's famous Cafe Corfu, London's foremost Greek restaurant, which serves up excellently priced traditional fare from a Michelin-starred chef in a superb atmosphere. Back in 2004, more than 300 fans crammed into the restaurant to cheer on Greece so you're best to book in advance or you'll be breaking plates in frustration.
Saturday 12 June, 12.30pm: Korea Republic v Greece
Thursday 17 June, 3pm: Greece v Nigeria
Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm: Greece v Argentina
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