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Pre-game: France vs Mexico (17 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: France vs Mexico (17 Jun 2010)Match Details
France-Mexico, Group A, Polokwane, Friday 17 June, 20.30 (local time)

Why Mexico would win?

Mexico didn’t have enough firepower to dispose South Africa and given that Uruguay just scored three goals against South Africa looks dim for Mexico. They should try to be as careful and reserved as they can as they cannot play a shooting match with France. France attacking game could just score two or more goals for the Frenchman.

Mexico is relying on veteran Giovani dos Santos and the youthful skill of Carlos Vela. This team needs to play perfect execution on the field.

Why France would win?

France is France. Gallas and Franck Ribery has the skills, experience and exposure to run plays, ignite counterattacks, calmly setup outside the box and shoot the ball to the goal.

Key Takeaway

Both of these teams have not won their opening games and they would be fighting for a win especially since Uruguay is now on top of the group standings. A loss by either team especially Mexico would make it very difficult making it past the next round. If Mexico loses they are facing Uruguay in a do or die game which looks bleaker than France beating South Africa.

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Pre-game: Greece vs Nigeria (17 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: Greece vs Nigeria (17 Jun 2010)Match Details
Greece-Nigeria, Group B, Mangaung / Bloemfontein, Friday 17 June, 16.00 (local time)

Why Nigeria would win?

Nigeria held their own against Argentina and even if they lost the game they stopped a number of goals and contained the greatest player today, Lionel Messi. Nigeria was able to run with these guys, deflect crosses, hold off attacks and stay there throughout the game. Nigera has the hardness to stick it to Greece.

Why Greece would win?

Switzerland won against Spain which means any team could beat top tier countries let alone a low middle tier team like Nigeria. Greece should just think of holding off attacks and wait for the appropriate counter attack to score. If these guys are lucky, they can be at the right place and at the right time.

Key Takeaway

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Pre-game: Honduras vs Chile (16 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Liveblogging: Honduras vs Chile (16 Jun 2010)Match Details
Honduras-Chile, Group H, Nelspruit, Friday 16 June, 13.30 (local time)

Why Chile would win?

Chile is stronger on paper and their coach Marcelo Bielsa is employing a 3-3-1-3 formation anchored on Humberto Suaza who has two speedy and experienced wingers in Alexis Sanchex and Mark Gonzalez. Humberto Suaza has scored ten goals during the qualifying and could score another goal today. The problem however is the injury that Humberto Suaza has suffered on his muscle strain. He is still recuperating and how fit he is would determine the efficiency of the formation of Marcelo Bielsa.

Why Honduras would win?

Honduras has a stronger offense anchored on Wilson Palacios who is looking to shutdown or deflect the formation of Chile. Given that Chile might be having health problems could work well on Honduras. They can do what Korea did against Brazil who played safely waiting for the right time to counterattack.

Key Takeaway

I hope this isn’t one of those boring games where it ends up in a draw like that of Portugal and Ivory Coast. Brazil failed to dazzle, and games like South Africa on the opening round and that of France didn’t live up to expectations.

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Pre-game: Spain vs Switzerland (16 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: Spain vs Switzerland (16 Jun 2010)Match Details
Spain-Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday 16 June, 14.00 (local time)

Why Switzerland would win?

Heart and inspiration. Switzerland doesn’t have the star studded talent like Spain and they have health problems as Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami could not play. They lost against Costa Rica, Norway and Uruguay. This team doesn’t play with the same pressure as that of Spain and they can be as gritty as Korea DPR was. This team should play solid team defense and wait for the right opportunity to score a goal.

Why Spain would win?

Anchored by superstars Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, and Andres Iniesta (wait and see if his playing), these team are a very technical team on defense, can run the break, can swiftly counterattack and score goals on target. This team has the chops to win the FIFA World Cup finals this year.

Switzerland plays solid defense and has proved they can hold off their opponent from scoring for as long as 394 minutes. The last team to score against them booting them out of FIFA World Cup 2006 was Spain.

Key Takeaway

This is going to be a test game for Spain on their team defense, and strong attacking side. They are expected to go all the way to the finals game and this game is important on setting up that tempo.

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Pre-game: South Africa vs Uruguay (16 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: South Africa vs Uruguay (16 Jun 2010)Match Details
South Africa-Uruguay, Group G, Tshwane/Pretoria, Wednesday 16 June, 20.30 (local time)

Why Uruguay would win?

Everyone expected Uruguay would be beaten easily by France but they kept the powerhouse Frenchmen at bay drawing the results of the game. Uruguay has a stronghold defense that can launch counter attacks. Uruguay should be patient throughout the game and wait for the opportunity to score.

Why South Africa would win?

South Africa lacks in offense and the ability to counter attack and launch a shot on the goal. In their first game against Mexico, they drew the game. South Africa’s chances lie on the shoulders of goalkeeper Itumeng Khune who has the ability to shutdown opponents scoring abilities. He would be relied heavily to keep the slate for South Africa clean in the hopes that South Africa can score one goal.

Key Takeaway

Both of these teams played a separate boring games and both these teams are raring to score three point that could put them in good position to advance to the next round. This should provide for an exciting game.

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Pre-game: Brazil vs Korea DPR (15 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: Brazil vs Korea DPR (15 Jun 2010) Match Details
Brazil-Korea DPR, Group G, Johannesburg – JEP, Friday 15 June, 20.30 (local time)

Why Brazil would win?

Kaka. Luis Fabiano. Five straight friendly wins. Won eight of the last ten games going into the FIFA World Cup. Five time world champions.

Why Korea DPR would win?

If Brazil plays foolishly then any opponent can beat Brazil on the opening game which has not lost for the last 76 years. It is a tough argument to say that Korea DPR can beat Brazil.

I apologize Korea DPR but Brazil just have enough firepower to destroy the second ranked team in the FIFA World Cup Finals, let alone, rank number 32 in the competition.

Key Takeaway

Brazil against Korea DPR preview shouldn’t be a long article as the only question I have is how many goals will Brazil score? Five? Eight?

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Pre-game: Côte d’Ivoire vs Portugal (15 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: Côte d'Ivoire vs Portugal (15 Jun 2010)Match Details
Côte d’Ivoire-Portugal, Group G, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Friday 15 June, 16.00 (local time)

This is a high profile game compared to the previous New Zealand vs Slovakia as both these teams are looking to advance to the next round. This will be a test and a writing of history for both squads as this is the first time they will meet in a World Cup.

Why Portugal would win?

Powered by one of the best players in the World and still a top two (or top three) in the world player, Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to score goals that could put his team on top. Cristiano is brilliant on the field that could provide stability, smoothness, fire and rhythm to his team. He is expected to carry the hopes of his country on his shoulders and this man is not backing down.

Why Côte d’Ivoire would win?

Côte d’Ivoire’s is powered by Didier Drogba whose gritty and herculean strength rubs off on his teammates to play a solid and coordinated team game. Ivory Coast is the best hope for the South African team for winning the World Cup and expect these players to be a bunch of bandits wrecking the opponent apart. FIFA has allowed Didier to play with a protective cast which makes this team complete for a win.

Key Takeaway

Portugal has underachieved in previous competitions but the maturity and field IQ of Cristiano has improved that could just well put these guys over the top. The game is crucial for both of these teams as they belong to one of the strongest groups where any of the team can advance deep into the FIFA World Cup. Expect this game to be tightly fought and contested.

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Pre-game: New Zealand vs Slovakia (15 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Pre-game: New Zealand vs Slovakia (15 Jun 2010) Match Details
New Zealand-Slovakia, Group F, Rustenburg, Friday 15 June, 16.00 (local time)

This isn’t a high profile game for people outside the country of both New Zealand and Slovakia. Both teams are not expected to make it past the next round but given that they are going up against each other, 3 points being awarded to anyone of them would quickly put them on top of their group.

Slovakia is playing their first World Cup finals game as an independent nation while New Zealand has not been in the World Cup for the last 28 years and their only appearance came in 1982.

Why Slovakia would win?

They are experienced, have more exposure and have deeper talent in their roster led by prolific midfielder Marek Hamsik together with Miroslav Soch and Vladimir Weiss Jnr. Vladimir Weiss is going to be an inspired player on the field as the coach of Slovakia is his father something we don’t see often in sports. Slovakia has a strong attacking offense and could see many shots to the goal from their end.

Why New Zealand would win?

New Zealand’s key to winning the game is on captain Ryan Nelsen of Blackburn Rovers whose defensive skills could make a lot of stops and successful challenges throughout the game. New Ryan Nelsen has a lot of things on his shoulder because another equally talented player in vice-captain Tim Brown is not playing because of shoulder injury.

Key Takeaway

Slovakia is the stronger team and they are looking for win and possibly a draw on their next game that could put them on top of their group. They are motivated as the dark horse in their group. New Zealand is looking for their first even win in the FIFA World Cup. Their first and only other appearance in 1982 saw them losing three times without a win or draw in their scoreboard.

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Pre-game: England vs USA (12 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Match Details

England-USA, Group C, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Friday 12 June, 20.30 (local time)

The much favored England is going against the less favored USA. Fabio Capello has instilled confidence in the team following their failure to qualify for Euro 2008. They have all their games which proves their skill and capability and have just lost a game to get booted out of the Euro 2008.

USA is riding high following their win against Spain in the Confederations Cup.

USA is powered by Lando Donovan but while he is a fearsome striker, he is not in the league of Wayne Rooney who is looking to put his career and reputation back on track against USA.

Key Takeaway

England is going to the game heavily favored to win and their experience, skills, exposure should be more than enough for this.

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Pre-game: South Africa vs Mexico (11 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Match Details

South Africa-Mexico, Group A, Johannesburg, Friday 11 June, 16.00 (local time)

FIFA World Cup 2010 has finally arrived and host country South Africa is opening the games against Group A competitors Mexico held at the flagship Soccer City in Johannesburg.

South Africa is heavily favored to win the tournament as history is on their side. No host nation has every lost an opening game in the FIFA World Cup Finals. Mexico has never won an opening FIFA World Cup Game in four tries – 1930, 1950, 1958, and 1970.

It is expected that South Africa is coming out in droves in the opening game which should give the host nation a huge boost throughout the game.

Game history

These two nations have met twice where Mexico holds a 2-1 win lead against South Africa. Bafana Bafana however, have won their latest encounter during the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Why Mexico would win?

Mexico is a tough opponent where World Cup veterans Gerardo Torrado, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Rafael Marquez provides stability while Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela are the youthful energetic players giving Mexico a fluid and fast paced game. Mexico lost 2-1 against Italy during a warm-up game and given Italy’s firepower, Mexico should be favored to win against South Africa.

Why South Africa would win?

South Africa has solid faith on FIFA World Cup 1994 winning coach in Carlos Parreira who was rehired October 2009 to give hope to South Africa. Parreira is confident on the host nations ability to play solid and competitive throughout FIFA World Cup 2010. Carlos has this to say on South Africa:

“We respect everyone, but we fear nobody. If you had asked me five months ago if we were ready, I would have told you that ‘no, we have a long way to go’. But today, I’m happy with the progress, we are up there, we are ready for the task that awaits us. We still have time to work on one or two things, but overall, I’m happy.

We now have an identity, we now have our own style. We are playing with a lot of confidence and the most important thing is, this team is playing to its strengths.

When I took this job, I said that my biggest priority is to give this team an identity, I sold that vision to the players and today, watching them play like that, I was very happy with the fact that they have bought into the vision. This team is more comfortable with the ball at its feet, we like to keep possession and to pass the ball around. That is what we are doing and that is why I’m very happy.”

Key matchup

Steven Pienaar vs Rafael Marquez

Steven Piennaar, the creative Everton midfielder, is confident and raring to exceed expectations for his host nation’s people. Piennaar expects to see solid defense from Mexican veteran Rafael Marquez who was deployed Mexican coach  Javier Aguirre on the holding midfield to specifically stop the rhythm of Pienaar.

Key takeaway

Everyone expects to see the host nation win the opening game while Mexico is looking to make history by taking South Africa out. Mexico is also motivated to break their losing opening game streak as well. This is going to be an interesting match up and the world is on their feet.

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