Big team will lift World Cup, hopes slim for Asia : Baichung

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Ruling out any major surprise, Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia today predicted that any of the pre-tournament favourites will lift the World Cup while he didn't find future particularly bright for the Asian teams.

''To be frank, I don't see any of the underdogs pulling off one after another surprise and eventually lifting the trophy.

If you ask me who will win, I can't pinpoint but I think it will be one of the seven pre-tournament favourites -- Brazil, France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Holland and England -- which will lift the title,'' he said.

''It's not going to be like the Euro Cup where Greece stunned the favourites and walked away with the title,'' added the mercurial forward.

He felt Brazil had bolstered its defence to make it an even more formidable side while he ruled out any home advantage for hosts Germany.

''Dida has been in good form for AC Milan this season and their defence looks very formidable now. They are a really strong squad.

''And regarding home advantage, I don't think it's going to do miracle for Germany. Now professional footballers play everywhere and that includes Germany. Regarding crowd support--England plays every game as their home game because of the large contingent of supporters that travel with the team.'' He also felt that though the star players would come up with brilliant individual performances during the tournament, the side which plays better as a team would clinch the issue.

''Stars will be there but I feel the entire squad will have to put up a united show and the team which would do well both on and off the field, will win the Cup.'' Asked to name the team he would be rooting for, Baichung said, ''Last time,I wanted France to win and they didn't. This time I'm not cheering for anyone and just pray may the best team win the tournament.'' Asked how he rated prospect of the Asian teams, Baichung had no illusion.

''To be honest, I don't see them going far. They have been clubbed in tough groups and only Saudi Arabia stands some chances because they are in a relatively easier pool. Korea and Japan can indeed pull off surprise but I don't think they can advance much ahead.'' And according to him, this World Cup is likely to dish out defensive matches and viewers might find it a little ''boring''.

''I think we are going to see a slight defensive approach by the major teams because they would like to play it safe till the knock-out stage. This, the crowd might find, boring.'' Though he felt that Ronaldinho would be the cynosure of all eyes once the tournament starts, Baichung said he was looking forward to see the charismatic Brazillian's Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

''We know what Ronaldinho can do but I feel Messi is the player we should look out for. He is one guy who can light up any match and shoulder the burden for Argentina,'' he said of the teenaged forward.

Baichung was in the capital to launch ''Defend Your Turf'', a street football competition conceived by Nokia which would pit the national champion -- to be picked after preliminary matches in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata -- with ''Boys from Brazil''.

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