Preview: Day 1

South Africa - Mexico      Soccer City, Johannesburg, 3pm (Irish time)

Uruguay - France      Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, 7:30pm

 

The countdown to this day began on June 29th 2008. Once Fernando Torres put the ball in the German net in Vienna attention shifted to the nest big date on the international football calender, and it is finally here. One year, eleven months and two weeks have passed in the meantime, 32 countries have made it, while up to 200 more have not. The next 32 days promise to be one of the finest exhibitions of the beautiful game the the world has ever seen, and all set in one of the planets most glorious locations. South Africa is ready, the teams are ready and the world is watching, all that's left is kick off.

At 3pm today the football gets underway. Locals and organisers will hope Mexico are the sacrificial lambs in Johannesburg this afternoon. While a successful home team is not necessarily that crucial, it is always welcome. With the growing support the Bafana Bafana have been getting from all over the country in the last few days, FIFA will be viewing that wave of patriotism as a necessity in the coming weeks. Nothing can spark a tournament like a successful home team, but that should only be as long as they play good football. South Korea just about entertained in 2002, but the pace and attacking style of the Red Devils shouldn't be expected of South Africa today.

Last weekends 1-0 win over an injury ravaged Danish team has set Bafana Bafana up for a confident start.

Mexico have been able to pursue this game quietly, as all the attention has been shifted to the home team.
The Mexicans have had the longest, most arduous build up of any team in the competition. Friendlies were played at home against Chile, in the US with Ecuador, Senegal and Angola, and then across Europe with varying degrees of success against England, Holland, Gambia and Italy. Victories in the last two of those fixtures and a decent performance at Wembley will have Javier Aguirre's team quietly confident, although a lot of pressure and attention will be placed on Manchester United bound Javier Hernandez. El Tri will know they need something from this game to qualify from their group for a fifth straight time.
The 12 game unbeaten run of South Africa has people believing the dream may actually be alive. All the country really wants is a place in the second round. A few favourable refereeing decisions may help that to happen, most notably today. Both teams have been prepared to the ultimate for this day and neither expects failure. Two weeks ago Mexico were a sure thing to spoil the party, but not anymore. A nation expects.

The second game of the day comes in under the radar. An under performing French team take on two time winners Uruguay in Cape Town at 7:30 this evening. Once the draw was made, envious Irish eyes looked upon Group A as a French cake walk, but circumstances have subsequently changed. Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa have all proven themselves to be capable and talented sides in the meantime, while France have descended into further chaos. 

Players have been discarded, captain Thierry Henry has been dropped and players have lost whatever confidence that was left in Raymond Domenech. Last weekends defeat in Reunion to China was the ultimate embarrassment for Les Bleus, but they still have eleven players with the individual capabilities to beat Uruguay tonight. The likes of Florent Malouda, new captain Patrice Evra, Hugo Lloris and central striker Nicolas Anelka should provide enough talent to get a result for Les Bleus.

Uruguay, however, will be confident following friendly wins over Israel (4-1) and in Switzwerland back in March (3-1). Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Sebastien Abreu have all been in good form and given a chance, they will score.

With the first games in Group A being potentially so important to the final group outcome expect them to be tense affairs, lacking in goals but not commitment. Either way, it should be a good start to the tournament, even if both games result in draws.  

Spain

The World Cup favourites have astounded the footballing world in the past four years, but their success has the potential to set La Seleccion up for a fall. If they fail people will write them off as typical Spaniards, but if they succeed they will be regarded as one of the sports greatest teams.

Spain's record speaks for itself. In the past 48 games, only one defeat has been experienced. That 1-0 defeat to the US in the Confederations Cup however, was followed up by ten qualifying victories and most recently three friendly wins over Saudi Arabia, South Korea and against Poland in Murcia on Tuesday (6-0).

Fernando Torres liberated a nation with unfulfilled sporting potential in 2008. His goal in Vienna sealed Euro 2008 and provided not only the previously divided football team with a new found confidence but the country as well. Spain has become a nation of sporting success in the meantime. Rafael Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Alberto Contador and the national basketball team are just some more recent Iberian success stories. 

Vicente del Bosque has continued where his predecessor, Luis Aragones, left off. The first XI is still much the same (9 of 2008s starters could start against the Swiss) and the footballing philosophy hasn't changed either.    

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Spanish national teams have often flattered to deceive at the World Cup finals. Their best result thus far was fourth place in 1950 but more recent performances have been disappointing.

As hosts in 1982, only one victory was recorded in five games as La Furia Roja even lost to Northern Ireland.

The last three World Cups have summed up Spain's World Cup reputation. In 1998 they exited despite beating Bulgaria 6-1, but it was all too late. In 2002, a quarter final was reached but they fell to a weaker side in South Korea and in 2006, despite being the most impressive team in the group stage, they succumbed to France in the last 16.   

SCHEDULE- Group H

Switzerland   June 16th- Durban

Honduras      June 21st- Port Elizabeth

Chile             June 25th- Pretoria

The group stage shouldn't be too problematic for Vicente del Bosque's team. A rudimentary victory in the opening match is not a guarantee but a repeat of the 4-0 victory over Ukraine in 2006 is certainly a possibility.

La Seleccion's game with Chile is potentially the game of the group stages. The clinical counterattacking of the lightning Chilenos will go head to head with Espana's midfield carousel of passing.

KEY PLAYERS

David Villa is well on his way to becoming Spain's record goal scorer. 38 goals in 58 games is a superior conversion rate to record holder Raul who has scored 44 in his 102 caps. Villa's movement and ball skills are more suited to the Spanish game than Fernando Torres, therefore Barcelona's new signing will bare the brunt of goalscoring responsibility.  

Euro 2008s player of the tournament Xavi Hernandez is the central figure of the Spanish midfield. With Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas still not 100% fit, the Catalan will be required to provide bulk of the assists for his new club team mate.

Fellow Barcelona man Gerard Pique is a new member of the team, having come in to the first XI in the past two years. His development has added further stability to a defence that is regarded as the side's weakest area. His impressive goal scoring ability and physical presence has relegated Carlos Marchena to the bench.

ONE TO WATCH- Jesus Navas

The Sevilla winger has finally embraced the national team, having overcome his anxiety fears. The 24 year old has been a star in La Liga for the past few years but has been a hidden talent to many outsiders. His pace and unpredicability may be a potent weapon from the bench. His goal against South Korea during pre World Cup preparations was definitely a confidence booster.    

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Winning the Cup and finally bringing an end to any previous stereotypes regarding mental strenght, and following up the achievement of two years ago in Vienna.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

'Doing a Spain' and bottling it when so much is expected such as in 1998 and even 2006.

PREDICTION

This Spanish squad are the strongest in the history of their own country. Their first eleven are the most talented in the world and they have the most strenght in depth. Player for player, no other team can touch them. Therefore if Spain can play to even 80% of their capability they will be the World Cups most popular and deserving winners since Argentina in 1986.

Chile

Chile enter their first World Cup in 12 years in buoyant mood having finished second in South American qualifying to Brazil under their revolutionary Argentinian coach, Marcelo Bielsa. 

Following a poor campaign in 2006 qualifying and a poor Copa America in 2007, Argentina's Olympic winning coach from 2004 took over from Nelson Acosta, in what was an inspired appointment.

El loco has brought organisation, inspiration and discipline to the team and has let his flair players off the leash. Many plaudits were received for their attacking and free flowing displays in qualifying, in which La Roja' even recorded their first competitive victory over Argentina.  

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Chile's World Cup history has been tumultuous, ranging from on the pitch violence to disqualifications but they delivered one of the finest Mundials in 1962, as hosts. The tournament almost got moved elsewhere following the earthquake of 1960, but the organisers saw the importance of keeping the World Cup in the country, and results didn't disappoint. La Roja ultimately finished third, losing to Garrincha's Brazil, in what is still their finest result to date.

The most well known game of that tournament was a violent affair between the hosts and Italy, in what become known as the battle of Santiago. The game was referred to as "the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game" by a British commentator.

SCHEDULE- Group H

Honduras        June 16th- Nelspruit

Switzerland     June 21st- Port Elizabeth

Spain              June 25th- Pretoria

KEY PLAYERS

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is the captain and an inspiration member of the team. His return from injury has conincided with the World Cup warm up games which Chile have excelled in. His dependability will bring confidence to the three defenders in front of him.

Humberto Suazo was South America's top scorer in the 18 game qualifying marathon. His ten goals ultimately fired his country to the World Cup, but Chupete is also just returning from injury after missing the final part of the season with Real Zaragoza.

The man who makes the midfield tick is Matias Fernandez, but his chances at his new club, Sporting Lisbon, have been sporadic in the last year. Matigol, however, is an integral part of the Chile team at the age of 24 and with the dropping of Cluadio Maldonaldo, his importance has become even greater.

ONE TO WATCH- Alexis Sanchez

The Udinese winger is a rising star in Europe and his stock looks set to climb further in South Africa. El Nino Maravilla has scored three times in Chile's warm up games and his unpredictability and pace could be what sends Chile to the second round.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

With a spot in the second round on the cards, victory over Brazil would be a dream, especially in the context of their 4-2 and 3-0 qualifying defeats to the Selecao

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Failure to outwit a dogged Swiss outfit would be a major disappointment after qualifying so impressively.

PREDICTION

Bielsa wont want a repeat of his failure with Argentina in 2002. At that time, his home country were in a more perilous state than the earthquake-hit Chile are now, and that campaign badly damaged his legacy and reputation back home. In 2010 Chile should have enough to reach the second round, and win many admirers in the process. In the second round a repeat of 1998s tie with Brazil might be waiting. The game finished 4-1 and the outcome will most likely be the same this summer.     

Switzerland

Swiss football has not been to everyones liking, but they're ability to qualify for tournaments has been commendable, as they have participated in every major international tournament since 2004. 

The Swiss renaissance began under Kobi Kuhn and has progressed under Ottmar Hitzfeld in the past two years. The German's reign began with an embarrassing defeat at home to Luxembourg, as they suffered from a post Euro 2008 hangover, or depression, but the team eventually turned things around to win their qualifying group ahead of Greece.

Spectacular attacking football has not been a feature of their success however, and they team have become no easier to watch with the change in manager. If they are anything, it is hard to break down, but despite their solid defence and talented midfield, scoring goals may ultimately cost the Swiss a repeat of their success in Germany four years ago.

The future looks bright for the Swiss however, and the home of cuckoo clocks, watches and army knives may reap the rewards of their open door immigrant policy in years to come. The national under 17s won the 2009 World Cup in Nigeria.   

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Despite reaching the quarter finals in three of the first five World Cup tournaments, the 1954 hosts made their biggest impression in 2006. Having topped a group containing France, South Korea and Mali, the Schweizer Nati exited on penalties to Ukraine without even conceding a goal throughout.  

SCHEDULE- Group H

Spain         June 16th- Durban

Chile          June 21st- Port Elizabeth

Honduras   June 25th- Bloemfontein

Switzerland's rag tag bunch of naturalised foreigners and home grown talent will be quietly confident of reaching the second round again. Ottmar Hitzfeld is a shrewd double Champions League winning tactician who will get the best out of his team in South Africa. The question is whether his players are good enough to beat Chile, who should be their direct opposition for second place behind Spain.

A repeat of their opening result from 2006, a 0-0 draw with France, will go a long way to booking Switzerland's place in the knockout stages.

KEY PLAYERS

Wolfsburg's Diego Benaglio is the only experienced goalkeeper in the squad, and the team will be very reliant on his services throughout. Any potential injury will result in a nervy replacement between the sticks.

Gokhan Inler was a revelation at Euro 2008 in his home country, and the midfielder has impressed for Udinese ever since. An ever present in Udine, Inler is a dependable passer of the ball who can make things happen moving forward.

In 2006 Tranquillo Barnetta was Switzerland's star of the tournament, becoming a contender for the young player award eventually won by Lukas Podolski. The Bayer Leverkusen wide man has become a vital cog in Hitzfeld's machine.

Philippe Senderos may be a much derided centre half when he plays at club level, but he is a rock for the national team. The former Arsenal man has just signed for Fulham on the other side of London, so should go into the World Cup in a confident mood.

ONE TO WATCH- Eren Derdiyok 

The Bayer Leverkusen Striker has added some much needed pace to a forward line that has been overly reliant on Alexander Frei and Hakan Yakin for far too long.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

This Swiss team should not be written off. Their midfield possesses numerous talented individuals from Inler to Sampdoria's Marco Paladino to Valon Behrami of West Ham. If they were to escape from their group, a tough game with Brazil would surely end their interest. 

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Finishing below Honduras. Swiss fans seem to be a negative bunch when it comes to tournament time, but finishing bottom of the group would be a terrible showing.

PREDICTION

Third in Group H. Chile's form, confidence and dazzling forward power should be enough to overcome the Swiss in their pivotal encounter in Port Elizabeth.  

Honduras

Along with New Zealand and North Korea, the Hondurans are expected to play the role of whipping boys in South Africa, in what is only their second World Cup appearance.

Under coach Reinaldo Rueda the Honduran team have been transformed in the past couple of years. The progress made with their third place finish in the 2001 Copa America had not been capitalized upon in the intervening period, until now. 

A 1-0 over El Salvador last October cemented Los Catrachos's place in the World Cup finals, ousting the more fancied perennial qualifiers Costa Rica in the process. A 4-0 home win over the Ticos went a long way to overcome their rivals on goal difference.   

Preparation since then has not been ideal however, as the small Central American country have not won any of their last five friendlies, most recently a 3-0 loss to Romania in Austria that followed two draws with Belarus and Azerbaijan.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Their one appearance thus far, at Spain '82, was by no means a disaster. The Honduran team drew their first two games with Northern Ireland and Spain before losing to Yugoslavia by the single goal.

SCHEDULE- Group H

Chile              June 16th- Nelspruit

Switzerland    June 21st- Johannesburg

Spain             June 25th- Bloemfontein

The world's 38th ranked team take on three teams in red this summer in what is a tough draw for the central Americans. Spain are the tournament favourites, Switzerland are a well oiled machine under Ottmar Hitzfeld and Marcelo Bielsa's Chile are a match for any team on their day.

With all three of their opponents in good form and containing serious aspirations, Group H will be a tough slog for the Hondurans, who will be targeting their first two games as areas where points may be acquired.

KEY PLAYERS

Carlos Pavon has picked up 100 caps in the last 17 years, scoring 57 goals in the process. His Honduran goal scoring record is under no threat of being eclipsed by any of the current squad. Even at the age of 36, the former Napoli and Real Valladolid striker is depended on to score goals.

One would think that responsibility had fallen upon David Suazo in recent years, but unfortunately he has failed to take up the mantle. The former Serie 'A' overseas player of the year has only recorded 16 goals in his 52 caps. His move from Calgliari to Internazionale in 2007 hasn't worked out as hoped, with loan spells at Benfica and Genoa occupying the past two years. His eight years in Sardinia represent the highlight of the 30 year old's career thus far. 

Wilson Palacios has overtaken Suazo as Honduras's biggest star in the past two years. Dynamic performances for Wigan Athletic earned the former Olimpia midfielder a move to Tottenham in January 2009. His intensity has helped the club reach the Champions League qualifying rounds and break the big 4 monopoly on the Premier League. 
   
ONE TO WATCH- Maynor Figueroa

The Wigan full back will provide crosses, pace and free kicks. Ultimately, he could be central to anything positive his team produce.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Qualification for the second round is not completely out of the question, but considering their opposition getting the necessary four points is unlikely.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Three defeats, which is a distinct possibility.

PREDICTION

An early exit, but not an embarrassing one.

Brazil

Five time World Champions Brazil are the only country to have participated in all 19 World Cups, and the only country to have won outside its own continent (1958 & 2002). The World Cup just wouldn't be what it has become with the samba influence.

Dunga's team may be more methodical than in previous years, but there is no doubting their ability to win a sixth Mundial in South Africa.

A Selecao have exchanged Carlos Alberto Perreria's flamboyance for Dunga's discipline following the failure of Germany 2006, and victories in the Copa America in 2007 and the 2009 Confederations Cup suggest the move was a wise one.

On top of that success, the Brazilians finished top of the pile in South American qualifying, and beat Argentina 3-1 away in the process to secure their place in South Africa.

Only Spain can match Brazil's record over the past three years, but there has still been criticism of Dunga and his tactics. The style of play is very reliant on two average holding midfielders, Felipe Melo and veteran Gilberto Silva, while talents like Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato have been omitted.

Failure in South Africa will not be well received among the 192 million people back home.  

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Brazil announced themselves as footballing magicians in 1958, in their first World Cup appearance in the traditional canary yellow of today. Against USSR, Pele and Garrincha were unleashed upon the world and the first three minutes have been described as the greatest the game has seen.  

Of Brazil's five titles (1958, 62, 70, 94 and 2002), 1970 is the most celebrated. An under performing squad arrived in Mexico as something of an unknown quantity, yet feared nonetheless. An XI featuring Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Revelino, Tostao and Carlos Alberto dazzled the world throughout and signed off their final win over Italy with the finest team goal ever scored.

SCHEDULE- Group G

Korea DPR     June 15th- Johannesburg

Cote d'Ivoire   June 20th- Johannesburg

Portugal           June 25th- Durban

This is Brazil's toughest group since 1994, but they will still expect to win it with nine points. Brazil are the biggest name in football and the most revered and celebrated country in the sport. Winning is expected, and the despite all the positives that Portugal and Ivory Coast possess, they shouldn't be capable of stopping the Selecao at a World Cup.

The two Portuguese speaking nations are regular opponents in friendlies, and their last took place in November 2008 in Brasilia in front of a crowd of dignitaries, politicians and fat cats. The style was turned on in a 6-2 home win, representing the most calamitous moment of Carlos Queiroz reign in Portugal thus far.

KEY PLAYERS

Dunga has a settled first XI and the the 1994 World Cup winning captain will be hoping no injuries transpire, as in some areas his first choice players are far superior to their replacements.

One of those areas is in atttacking midfield. For Kaka, this is the moment he has been buiding toward. In 2002 he was a member of the squad but only saw a few minutes of insignificant action. In 2006 he was part of a four pronged attack that never sparkled, despite scoring the winner against Croatia. In 2010, he is the star, the central cog that is expected to make the team tick. He worked his magic in South Afirca last summer, but recent injury worries have people questioning his ability to bring the cup home.

Luis Fabiano will be relied upon for goals. The Sevilla striker has had a quiet season but has scored 25 times for his country in 38 games. If anything, the 29 year old knows where the goal is and will get himself in to the right positions if Kaka and Robinho can supply the through balls.

Julio Cesar has become the World's number one goalkeeper in the past season, overtaking Iker Casillas and Gigi Buffon in the process. The combination of he, Lucio and Maicon went a long way to delivering the Champions League for Inter this season. All three are in the Brazil first XI, keeping the likes of Huerelho Gomes and Dani Alves out of the team.

Gilberto Silva may be slowing down at 33 but the Panathanaikos defensive midfielder is as important to Brazil as ever. Himself and Juventus's Felipe Melo are much derided back home but are importants pivots in Dunga's game plan. Gilberto's experience, in a sea of young blood, has been the reason he has been kept around for the last few years, but his importance has never diminished on the pitch.

ONE TO WATCH- Dani Alves

The Barcelona right back will be forced to play second fiddle to a more reliable Maicon for the most part, but when he makes his arrival onto the pitch Alves will provide pace, attacking intent and the ability to score from free kicks.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Winners. It's the least that is expected of them, and it would make up for the disappointment of four years ago.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Even another quarter final exit, this time potentially against Holland, would be a disaster, especially for Dunga.

PREDICTION

Runners up. Despite the criticism the style will still be on show, as well as the defensive qualities of Lucio and Juan. The combination of flair and organisation is capable of carrying the canary yellows to the final, only to fall to a superior opponent.

Korea DPR

Has a country ever entered a World Cup with so little known about them? The North Koreans will hoping the element of surprise can inspire them to at least a victory in South Africa, as it may be the only weapon the possess.

North Korean football was an unknown quantity on its one and only previous visit to the top table in 1966, but that side were far more open on their arrival in Middlesborough. Those players are still revered in Pyongyang today, but if this years tournament doesn't go as well, North Koreans may never know how their national team even performed, as live coverage of matches is not available in the communist state.

While the national government may have been happy to see their team qualify, they must surely be now worried about how the squad will be perceived and treated, and how many fans will act now that their first game is just over a week away. The team's home qualifier with South Korea even had to be moved across the border into China, as the potential images of the South Korean flag were too worrying to comprehend.

Qualification was based on a solid foundation at the back and victories by the odd goal. Second place behind their southern neighbours and ahead of serial qualifiers Saudi Arabia guaranteed a place in the finals.  

WORLD CUP HISTORY

As mentioned, North Korea's visit to England in 1966 was a successful one, reaching the quarter finals, only to throw away a 3-0 lead away against Portugal. The teams attacking instincts ultimately cost them. Once they were three goals up, they persisted to attack and ultimately paid the price. The squad did manage to endear themselves to the people of the North East and Liverpool however.

SCHEDULE- Group G

Brazil                June 15th- Johannesburg

Portugal            June 21st- Cape Town

Cote d'Ivoire    June 25th- Nelspruit

The Korean's couldn't have asked for a tougher draw, with the toughest assignment up first. The best they can hope for is avoiding humiliation. Thankfully for the Asian side, this Brazil is not as free scoring as previous incarnations, although they are efficient, while Portugal are were lacking in the goal department during qualification and Ivory Coast could be without Didier Drogba.

The Koreans therefore, have hope of keeping the score down.

KEY PLAYERS

The entirety of the squad, bar three, are based at home, in the DPR Korea League. Ahn Young-Hak and Jong Tae-Se ply their trade in the J-League in Japan, while captain Hong Jong-Jo plays for Rostov in Russia.

The two Japanese based players were actually born in the land of the rising sun, but elected to play for North Korea through ancestry, not an option most people would chose to take up. 

Jong Tae-Se is regarded as the country's answer to Daivd Beckham. His 15 goals in 22 internationals have made him the team's biggest star.   

One of the squad's star strikers, Kim Myong-Won, was registered as one of the three goalkeepers, with the expectation that he would still be allowed perform as an outfield player. FIFA have not seen the matter that way, and a man who has scored 98 goals in 112 games at club level will can now only be called upon to keep goal. 

ONE TO WATCH- ?

Of all 32 qualified nations, North Korea's players are the most mysterious.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Win a match

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Getting obliterated in all three games.

PREDICTION

Due to the weaknesses of Asian qualifying, it is hard to affirm an accurate gauge of this North Korean team. Their close results with their neighbours suggest organisation is the priority, therefore three narrowish losses await.

Portugal

Portugal possess one of the world's most naturally talented squads, but inconsistency has plagued their progress since their run to the semi finals in 2006.

For the Selaccao das Quinas, goals have been hard to come by since losing that third place match 3-1 in Stuttgart. Liedson has become the latest naturalised Brazilian to jon the Portuguese squad, but he could not fire his new country into the World Cup automatically.

Home scoreless draws with Albania and Sweden in qualifying left Carlos Queiroz's team facing the dreaded play-offs. An improving, attack minded Bosnia-Herzagovina lay in wait, and after a nervy first leg in Lisbon, Portugal closed out the contest with a 1-0 win in Bosnia.

If the Iberians are to even escape from their group in South Africa, then Cristiano Ronaldo and co will need to be far more prolific to get by Brazil and the Ivorians.

WORLD CUP HISTORY

For a nation of such footballing stature, this is only Portugal's fifth World Cup appearance, the most famous of which came in 1966. In England, a Eusebio inspired team beat Brazil in the group stage bfore meeting North Korea in the quarter finals. A 3-0 deficit was turned around almost single handedly by the Benfica legend, as the Europeans went on to win 5-3 and ultimately finish third having been defeated by the eventual champions. 

 
SCHEDULE- Group G

Cote d'Ivoire   June 15th- Port Elizabeth

Korea DPR     June 21st- Cape Town

Brazil              June 25th- Durban

The draw has not been kind to all four teams invloved, although the structure of the fixture list offers some solice to the Selaccao. With Brazil up last, there is the possibility that an understrenght team will take the field in Durban, as Brazil may have already acquired the neccessary six points. That said, in their most recent friendly in 2009, the home side ran out 6-2 winners in Brasilia.

The Portuguese players cannot be counting on a favour from their forler colony however, as Ivory Coast pose a serious threat, with or without captain Didier Drogba. Although if they can achieve at least a draw in the game, the Ronaldo lead team will believe they have a foot in the second round.

KEY PLAYERS

The star of the show is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Real Madrid superstar has not scored for his country since Euro 2008, and the coach, Queiroz, seems to be unsure of where to play the world's most expensive player. The Manchester United and Real Mardid model's would surely offer up an indicator on how to best utilize the player, but the national team just doesn't possess the attacking options that those clubs have, leading to Ronaldo being marked out of games.

With Ronaldo not firing, that task may be left up to the likes of Simao Sabrossa and Nani. The two wide men are far more mercurial than their captain but are certainly capable of the type of magic that can inspire the team.

Deco will still pull the strings in midfield. He may not be the player he was circa 2006 but in the slower environs of international football, the Brazilian born schemer still has a major role to play.

The return of Pepe from injury to the heart of the defence with Ricardo Carvalho will be imperitive to Portugal's efforts of getting through round one. His aerial prowess will also be a potent weapon at set pieces.     

ONE TO WATCH- Danny

The Zenit St. Petersburg star is the Russian league's most expansive player, but the no. 10 remains an enigma in western Europe, despite having the capabilities to control a game on his own.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Victory over Spain in the last 16 will represent a decent World Cup, as a second consecutive semi final is surely out of reach.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Not only defeat to the North Koreans but failure to even finish second would be a disaster for Portugal and even more so for their coach, who will surely lose his job if that transpires.

PREDICTION

The opening game with Cote d'Ivoire should be the groups most significant game. The tie with Brazil is mouth watering for the neutral but the first game will be the most important. Progression to the second round should be the height of their capabilities however.