Soccer’s ‘Group of Death’

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 | 8:19 a.m.

Whether the United States is in "The Group of Death," the toughest of the eight four-team World Cup group draws, and why it wasn't recognized as one of the eight top seeds are moot issues.

Defeat England, without many of its stars, at home in a friendly and/or Mexico at Azteca Stadium, both of which the Americans failed to do in 2005, and fodder might exist for an argument.

Ghana is the longest shot, 12-1 at the Aladdin sports book, to finish atop Group E, the Americans' group. Ivory Coast is an 8-1 pick to win Group C, the longest odds in that group. Every other group's long shots have higher payoffs.

That means Sun soccer expert, Los Angeles Galaxy striker and Las Vegas native Herculez Gomez, correctly tapped Group C -- Argentina, Ivory Coast, Holland and Serbia-Montenegro -- as the true Group of Death.

By the way, has Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo dropped a few million francs down on his country's footballers? The Elephants opened at 1,000-1, at Mandalay Bay sports book, to win it all, but have been bet down to 80-1.

Next Rebels Coach

UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick has a short list of candidates to replace longtime men's coach Barry Barto, and University of Akron assistant coach Mario Sanchez, expected to interview for the post Monday, might top it.

Sanchez has family, including his parents, in the Las Vegas area. The Zips advanced to the Elite Eight in the recent College Cup, losing to eventual national champion Maryland. Then Akron coach Ken Lolla zipped to Louisville, so Sanchez should have options.

Indiana assistant coach Todd Yeagley, UCLA assistant Paul Bravo and New Mexico assistant Jamie Clark, who helped guide the Lobos to the title game against the Terrapins, also have been contacted by Hamrick.

Kudos

A belated congrats to Fred Habibian, who recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his Henderson soccer store, The Soccer Post at 1205 W. Warm Springs Road, to the left of the Levitz furniture store.

Habibian, 45, emigrated from Iran to Utah about 30 years ago, then settled in Las Vegas after attending Dixie State College and Southern Utah.

He has an impressive selection of jerseys (Brazil, Holland, Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc.) and boots, in adult and youth sizes, in his store, as well as a variety of balls and other equipment, and videos.

Match of the Week

Osasuna at Real Madrid, Sunday

Tied with Barcelona atop the Primera Liga with 34 points, Osasuna can show it belongs there at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Mexican coach Jaiver Aguirre, though, has been disappointed by his squad's poor road performances. Real (third with 28 points) can keep pace with its arch-rival, Barca, with a victory.

$21.27 million

The winner's haul, from FIFA and at today's exchange rate, for next summer's World Cup in Germany.

$5.32 million

Every World Cup team's group-stage guarantee.

$900,000

What FIFA gives each team, not including business-class airline tickets and a per-person per diem of $390, for World Cup preparations.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com