FIFA World Cup Pre-game - page 5

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: Algeria vs Slovenia (13 Jun 2010)

14 years ago in Uncategorized

Match Details

Algeria-Slovenia, Group C, Polokwane, Friday 13 June, 13.30 (local time)

Algeria and Slovenia are anxious to score three points given that teams in their group England and USA has just scored 1 point each via a draw. Whoever wins the match would get ahead of the pack putting more weight on their advancement to the next round. England and USA on the other hand is hoping that these teams end in draw, putting everyone on equal footing.

Both teams are equally skilled and experienced that it would be difficult to clearly predict who goes on to score three points at the end of the game.

Game History
There is no history between the two and this first encounter would set history books on them.

Why Slovenia would win?

Slovenia showed a lot of promise and talent disposing both Qatar and New Zealand easily during the pre-finals friendlies. Slovenina also finished second behind Slovakia even edging out Russia to get to the final of the World Cup. Slovenia’s confidence is up high which could carry the team for a win.

Slovenia Lineup
1 Samir HANDANOVIC
12 Jasmin HANDANOVIC
16 Aleksander SELIGA
2 Miso BRECKO
3 Elvedin DZINIC
4 Marko SULER
5 Bostjan CESAR
6 Branko ILIC
13 Bojan JOKIC
19 Suad FILEKOVIC
22 Matej MAVRIC
8 Robert KOREN
10 Valter BIRSA
15 Rene KRHIN
17 Andraz KIRM
18 Aleksandar RADOSAVLJEVIC
20 Andrej KOMAC
21 Dalibor STEVANOVIC
7 Nejc PECNIK
9 Zlatan LJUBIJANKIC
11 Milivoje NOVAKOVIC
14 Zlatko DEDIC
23 Tim MATAVZ

Why Algeria would win?

Algeria teamwork is battle tested having to go through the eye of the needle to reach the World Cup Finals. They had to beat arch-rivals Egypt, come back after their loss to European’s Serbia and Republic of Ireland. There is more to learn and bonding to happen whenever team loses and Algeria has that kind of experience on their shoulders.

Algeria Lineup
1 Lounes GAOUAOUI
16 Faouzi CHAOUCHI
23 Rais M BOLHI
2 Madjid BOUGHERRA
3 Nadir BELHADJ
4 Anther YAHIA
5 Rafik HALLICHE
12 Habib BELLAID
14 Abdelkader LAIFAOUI
18 Carl MEDJANI
20 Djamel MESBAH
6 Yazid MANSOURI
7 Ryad BOUDEBOUZ
8 Medhi LACEN
13 Karim MATMOUR
15 Karim ZIANI
17 Adlane GUEDIOURA
19 Hassan YEBDA
21 Foued KADIR
22 Djamal ABDOUN
9 Abdelkader GHEZZAL
10 Rafik SAIFI
11 Rafik DJEBBOUR

Key matchup

Madjid Bougherra v Zlatko Dedic

Algeria is relying heavily on their defense anchored on Bougherra. He is expected to stop Slovenia from scoring a goal and could provide a stonewall and gritty defense throughout the game. On the contrary, Dedic of Slovenia is a deadly striker who is looking to score another goal in international competitions. The defense stopper against the aggressive striker.

Key takeaway

Both Algeria and Slovenia are itching to win especially since both of them are equally matched up. England and USA are hoping they draw their game to put them on equal footing.

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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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