28. Ecuador
Beating Brazil in qualification is just the kind of form any serious contender would want to bring to the World Cup finals.
29. Ireland
Manchester United's Alex Ferg-uson will probably go into defend-my-player overdrive when Ireland is dumped at the first stage and Roy Keane's walkout on his country is blamed for the speedy exit.
30. Senegal
The country's World Cup journey hit the curb earlier this week when midfielder Khalilou Fadiga allegedly stole a US$230 gold necklace in Daegu, South Korea.
Senegal plays defending champion France in the tournament's opening match tomorrow.
31. Tunisia
No-one expects Tunisia to do well and with coach Henri Michel resigning just two months before the start of the World Cup the `Eagles' will likely take flight at the earliest stage.
32. China
William Hill says China is the longest shot along with Saudi Arabia for a World Cup victory and gives odds of 750-1.
China's masses aren't taking any notice, however and just one victory should be enough to ensure a small heroes' welcome when they return home.
China is not in a position to challenge its first-phase competitors, Brazil, Turkey and Costa Rica, but it's team is in the right hands.
Coach Bora Milutinovic is embarking on his fifth World Cup finals, having successfully taken Mexico, the US, Costa Rica and Nigeria into the second round of the past four tournaments.
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