Review: Day 15

Group G

Brazil   0-0   Portugal

Ivory Coast   3-0   North Korea

Final Standings

1. Brazil

2. Portugal

3. Ivory Coast

4. North Korea

Back on December 4th when the draw was made, Brazil versus Portugal was instantly looked upon on as the game to watch of the opening round. How wrong everyone was...

The game on Friday afternoon was scrappy and neither side attacked in numbers. Often Cristiano Ronaldo was left on his own to run into dead ends and for Brazil Julio Baptista is certainly not Kaka. That said, the finest display of natinal anthems yet seen was on show before the game.

With both sides sure to qualify an open game between two relaxed teams was expected but it never materialised. There was a fear of defeat, even though future opponents were still unknown. Ultimately a lack of a Brazilian playmaker cost the team here. With nobody to provide a final pass for Nilmar and Luis Fabiano the Selecao were never going to score. 

This performance wont go down well in South America also. The Brazilian media will now feel justified in their pevious criticism of Dunga. The Samba boys have only produced sporadic magic thus far and not once in Durban against Portugal. Such a showing wont do against Chile on Monday.

Portugal won't be getting past Spain either if they're this dire again. Their own Sellecao may feel aggrieved, especially Pepe, with some of the rough treatment they suffered. Raul Merieles had what was his sides best and practically only chance but now, in two of their three games, have failed to score. Leading strikers Liedson and Hugo Almeida have been used but neither made the cut for Friday's game. 

Ivory Coast missed their chance to progress when settling for a draw against a very underwhelming Portugal team in their opening game. That result and their subsequent loss to Brazil left them needing eight goals today and hoping the Brazilians could get one. The Elephants managed three and a hatful of other attempts but their chase was always going to be in vain. 

The North Koreans impressed in their first match with Brazil but as their opposition have learned more about them the goals have began to flood in. Having conceded 12 in three games that leaves them with by far the worst defensive record of all 32 teams. Incidentally it is their neighbours to the south who have conceded the second most goals, along with Australia, but they still progressed having shipped six goals.         

Group H

Chile   1-2   Spain

Honduras   0-0   Switzerland

Final Standings

1. Spain

2. Chile

3. Switzerland

4. Honduras

The European champions won Group H even though the lost their opening match. The pre-tournament favourites had no option but to win their final two games, a feat they achieved but not as convincingly as one would expect. 

Chile gave them a helping hand in Pretoria though. Both centre backs, Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce, picked up yellow cards and Marco Estrada was sent off in the aftermath of Spain's second goal for a accidental challenge on Fernando Torres which the Liverpool striker made the most of.  

From that point La Seleccion should have pushed on to finish off their opponents through their passing and movement but Chile continued to show the spirit that has been familiar off them so far.

Marcelo Bielsa's team started the game brightly despite picking up some needless yellow cards. The passed the ball confidently and got forward in numbers with every opportunity but a couple of calamities almost cost them a place in the second round. With the score at 2-0, a solitary Swiss goal against Honduras would have ended their tournament. 

Having got an early goal back right after half time the game settled. At that point the Swiss needed two to progress which seemed unlikely. Spain controlled possession against the ten men for the remainder of the game but Chile were happy to get behind the ball in the knowledge they they wouldn't be easily breached. 

What was potentially the game of the first round between two attacking teams was partially spoiled by the sending off in the first half. Even with their lead Spain looked vulnerable to the Chilean attack. A comeback was never likely though once Estrada left the field. 

In the end, the scoreline suited both sides, although Chile will be the more worried having to face a Brazil team who defeated them twice in qualifying, comfortably. Playing them without their two suspended centre halves makes the task even more daunting.

The two goal victory that Switzerland needed would have been expected by both Chile and Spain but it never came to be. The Swiss art of defending had to be compromised in favour of goal scoring but the goals never game, and either did the chances. Eren Derdiyok probably had the best of them but much as he did in the final minute against Chile, he continuously fluffed his lines.

The three points could easily have swung the other way had the Hondurans shown some confidence in front of goal, but they depart the scene having failed to score, just like Algeria.   

Ottmar Hitzfeld's team started the tournament with its biggest shock at that point but their defensive tactics won them no friends. The players to score goals and those to set hem up are there but they failed to click when it mattered most.  

Review: Day 14

Group E

     Holland   2-1   Cameroon

      Denmark   1-3   Japan

Final Standings:

1. Holland

2. Japan

3. Denmark

4. Cameroon

Japanese expertise with the dead ball was enough to hep the Blue Samurai qualify for the last 16 outside their own country for the very first time. In many ways this World Cup has been a disaster for African teams but for the the Asian representatives it has been an undoubted success even at this reasonably early stage.

Japan are the only group runner up so far to have won two of their three games. Even a couple of group winners have failed to record two victories. One of those two sides is Paraguay, who are up next for the Japanese next week.

Only four goals have been scored direct from free kicks thus far. Three have been by Asian players and the other came for Nigeria rather fortuitously. Two came last night for Japan against Denmark and their was nothing Thomas Sorensen could do to stop them.

Firstly Keisuke Honda shot spectacularly from 35 yards out. His piledriver swerved and dipped beyond the hapless keeper and it wasn't too long before Yasuhito Endo bent his effort around the Danish wall and into the bottom right hand corner. Thirty minutes were gone and the game was already over. Denmark needed three to progress.

The best was still to come however. A combination of quick passing, sharp movement and good balance saw Shinji Okazaki slot home a third from 12 yards out.

Honda is fast making a name for himself. Is excellent early year form with CSKA Moscow has been improved upon here and the forward was the best player on the pitch in Rustenburg. His pace, free kick ability and quality on the ball will all be needed if the Blue Samurai are to outdo the South Koreans this year.

Denmark went into the game as favourites and started well but after two sucker punches before the half hour mark they were dead and buried. More was expected of Olsen's Eleven having qualified so impressively, even beating Portugal in Lisbon. Ultimately, they have been a disappointment and it's the first time in their four World Cup appearances that Denmark have failed to progress to the Knockout stages. 

The Netherlands finished off a clean sweep of group victories against Cameroon in what was a more entertaining performance than what has gone before. Robin van Persie is off the mark and Arjen Robben is back from injury so the Dutch will take a lot of satisfaction from their nights work.

With Cameroon already out and the Dutch practically assured of top spot this was the closest thing to a dead rubber that was on offer in the first round. All of the other 15 final group matches have a defining purpose, bar perhaps North Korea versus Ivory Coast but the miracle may transpire.

When the Indomitable Lions look back on their campaign they will know that this was an opportunity missed, much like Nigeria will be feeling. They were lifeless in losing to Japan and should have beaten Denmark. Chances were spurned and somehow they lost all three games. Paul Le Guen has already announced his intention to quit after two weeks of dressing room upheaval.

Holland march on to face Slovakia in yet another game in which the opposition will try to stifle their attacking variations. Robben may prove to be the spark and finally brings the Oranje to life.

Group F

           Italy   2-3   Slovakia

    New Zealand   0-0   Paraguay

Final Standings:
1. Paraguay
2. Slovakia
3. New Zealand
4. Italy

Italy experienced their most embarrassing campaign since 1974 but at least they were involved in the game of the tournament. With an hour played both the Azzurri and the Slovaks forgot how to defend and started playing at 100 m/ph, although it could be said the Italians had already forgotten how to defend.

The game opened up in the blink of an eye as Slovakia sought after a decisive second goal and Italy chased the equaliser they needed to progress. Once Robert Vittek made it 2-0 after 73 minutes the game was up for the Italians. A triumph for youth over experience was only a quarter of an hour away.

The Slovaks were a let down in their first two games. They played defensively even against New Zealand and clearly played for a draw in the 2-0 defeat to Paraguay. A win was the only way forward in Soccer City though and it was fully warranted for their lively, enthusiastic performance here.

The Slovaks would have found some new supporters for the manner in which they dismantled the world champions if not for the dramatics late in the game. A series of incidents saw the eastern Europeans feigning injury on the floor. Luckily Howard Webb is not so easily fooled and didn't put up with any theatrics.

For all their time wasting the Italians had their chance to score the crucial equalizer but Simone Pepe was wasteful at the back post in the 94th minute. The resulted goal kick ended Italy's reign and brought a halt to this team. Revolution is in the air.

In all three displays they conceded first and were clearly lacking in ideas in how to break down their opponents. The cream of Serie A is certainly not Italian.

Note: Fabio Quagliarella scored the best goal of the tournament so far in the final minutes.

Slovakia will be joined by Paraguay in round two. Their game with the New Zealand All Whites was played out in the shadows of the amazing events in Johannesburg but a draw was enough to both see them top the group and forge the All Whites reputation as heroes at home despite their elimination.

Paraguay will be hard to break down for anyone and preserves South America's unbeaten record in this World Cup, while New Zealand's three draws is an astounding feat for a team expected to be soundly beaten in all three of their games.

Review: Day 13

Group C

          England   1-0   Slovenia

             Algeria   0-1   USA

Final Standings:

1. USA
2. England
3. Slovenia
4. Algeria

The destination of Group C came down to the final minutes in Pretoria. USA and Algeria were scoreless in a game both needed to win to advance. A solitary goal from the US would be enough to take them through but they played 91 minutes without getting one.

In Port Elizabeth the final whistle had already blown. The English players celebrated their victory which meant they were guaranteed a place in the second round. Their opponents, Slovenia, were also through at the time their game ended.

Landon Donovan's injury time goal for the States was not only essential for the future of the game in the country but it appeared to be as crucial to the player himself. The LA Galaxy midfielder cried in his post match interview and later on again in his post match press conference.

The Americans had lofty expectations ahead of their foray into Africa. They had a supposedly straightforward group and were extremely impressive against both Spain and Brazil in the Confederations Cup last summer. Failure to advance from this group would have been a step back for a growing game stateside.

Despite England's 1-0 win over Slovenia, the Three Lions finished second and are now faced with the daunting challenge of Germany on Sunday. Today's win has seen a disillusioned nation become confident once again. Apparently England can win this World Cup after all.

The English team definitely deserved their win and were much improved from their first two performances. The urgency and passion you would expect from an English team was back, in patches, and it was enough to win this game comfortably. Only one goal was scored however, and a heavy price could have been paid.

The style of football played may have been enough to beat a European minnow but it won't exactly have Germany, or potential quarter-final opponents Argentina, running scared. The English controlled possession and won by virtue of playing at pace and doing a lot of huffing and puffing. A tactic that was good enough to beat a limited team that were playing for a draw.

When superior opposition comes along on Sunday England will have far less possession than they had today. The players are certainly capable of improving as the tournament goes on but if the youthful Germans are on their game England could be chasing shadows all day.

Fabio Capello was clearly relieved at the final whistle. The Italian spoke of his joy at the victory and how his players played with freedom. His delight was quite uncharacteristic of the renowned disciplinarian and he seemed to be doing all he could to praise his players and build up the performance of his team. The jury is still out.   

As for the two sides bowing out, Slovenia and Algeria have fought bravely but found their rightful place after three games. They performed more admirably than the less informed would have expected though and they deserve some credit for that. Ultimately it was a failure to score goals, especially in the case of Algeria who failed to score in three games, that cost them.

Group D

         Germany   1-0   Ghana

         Australia   2-1   Serbia

Final Standings:

1. Germany

2. Ghana

3. Australia

4. Serbia

Despite their defeat at Soccer City, Ghana have still qualified for the last 16 for the second consecutive time in only their second World Cup. Mezut Ozil's strike though, probably the goal of the tournament so far, was enough to see the group favourites come out on top against the west Africans. 

Defeat was still enough for the Balck Stars because of Serbia's failure to equalize in the last few minutes in Nelspruit. In a topsy turvy game the Serbians dominated the first half only to completely collapse in the second. Tim Cahill scored a powerful header from 12 yards out after 69 minutes and Brett Holman followed up four minutes later from long range. 

At that point Australia were two goals away from progression, a third from themselves and a second from Germany and an unlikely place in the second round would have gone to the Socceroos. Mark Schwarzer's error seven minutes from time ended the Australian dream however. 

Marko Pantelic took advantage meaning a second goal from the White Eagles would send them through in place of Ghana on goals scored and they almost got it. Pantelic had another chance but didn't take advantage and even a late controversial penalty claim went against them.

In an ironic twist of fate Tim Cahill handled the ball in his penalty area but the Serbian claims were waved away. In each of their first two games Serbia conceded a penalty based on a handball decision but against Australia an even more blatant handling of the Jabulani went against them. 

That decision left the eastern Europeans furious but ultimately they brought the defeat upon themselves. The Socceroos should have been put away in the first half and the Serbs have paid the price for both conservative play and bad finishing in their three games.

Ghana took full advantage and now face an intriguing and winnable tie against the US on Saturday. Despite losing to die mannschaft the Black Stars were well organised, extremely quick around the park and counterattacked with a lot of purpose. The shambolic German defence gave the Ghanaians a host of opportunities to score ad it must be worrying that their only two goals have come from the penalty spot.

The Germans were once again good going forward, their passing was crisp and their attacking options moved freely. It was an end to end game but as it wore on the Germans went about securing that winning goal.

The temperament of Mezut Ozil has been under scrutiny, is he capable of performing when it matters and can the handle the pressure at such a young age? Bigger tests are yet to come but the Werder Bremen playmaker stood up to the plate and took advantage of the rare bit of space he was given to score the games' defining goal. 

Good in possession they may be but their is a worrying concern that without it goals will be shipped. As long as the Germans can keep the ball away from the English players then they have what it takes to reach the quarter finals.

Once again, the group table doesn't lie and in this instance the two most attacking teams in Group D have progressed. 

Australia must feel that they threw away their World Cup in their first game with Germany. Since then they have played with commitment and a desire to win. They almost pulled it off against Ghana and probably should have but the deserved sendings off they suffered ultimately decided their fate.

As for Serbia, so much was expected from the Balkan nation. The have Champions League regulars in their ranks and qualified impressively but for the second tournament running have flattered to deceive.   

       

Preview: Day 13

Group C

England v Slovenia, Port Elizabeth 

Algeria v USA, Pretoria

both 3pm

As they Stand:

1. Slovenia   4pts 
2. USA        2
3. England    2
4. Algeria     1

Quite simply, England need to win today to keep their World Cup dream alive. One would think that is within their grasp against such a smaller footballing nation in Slovenia but recent performances suggest it will be a struggle for the Three Lions to get the required result.

Slovenia has a population of just over two million and only a fraction of the playing resources and financial budget of their opposition today but they sit proudly on top of a group in which they were expected to be also-rans.

For England to win today against such a well organised and physical outfit that is capable of scoring goals, every aspect of their game is going to have to change. The cohesion, pace and intensity found during the qualifiers seems to have disappeared but the players are certainly capable of rediscovering it. Or are they?

From the outside there looks to be some in squad unrest and disillusionment with their manager. Players are bored and don't look as though they even believe they can win the tournament now. A tournament they always believe they can win until they actually start playing.

Slovenia may very well play for the draw and that could cost them. For all England's problems there are still players capable of putting the ball in the net when an opportunity arises. A draw would be enough to see the Slovenes into the second round either as group winners or runners-up and from their two performances so far, especially against the US in the first half, they have every chance of booking their place in the last 16.

USA are favourites to join either of the above in the knockout stages. For them, a win is required and that may be enough to top Group C. While Algeria also have ambitions of continuing their tournament The States have shown a lot more heart and Intensity than the North Africans had to face against England. The Algerians could be overran in Loftus Versfeld this afternoon.

The Algerians could easily have beaten England but they looked incapable of finding that final pass to unlock their defence. They could have played all night and neither team would have scored.

A shock could be on the cards today. USA are almost certainties to advance and Slovenia may join them. much to the embarrassment and shame of 60 million Englishmen.

Probable Teams:    

England: James, Johnson, Upson, Terry, A, Cole, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, J. Cole, Defoe, Rooney.

Slovenia: Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Birsa, Koren, Radosavljvic, Kirm, Ljubijankic, Novakovic.

Algeria: M'Bolhi, Bougherra, Yahia, Halliche, Belhadj, Lacen, Boudebouz, Yebda, Ziani, Kadir, Matmour

USA: Howard, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Demerit, Cherundolu, Bradley, Edu, Dempsey, Donovan, Buddle, Altidore.
Group D

Germany v Ghana, Soccer City

Australia v Serbia, Nelspruit

both 7:30pm

As They Stand:

1. Ghana      4pts
2. Germany  3
3. Serbia      3
4. Australia   1

Much like Group C, all four teams in Group D stand a very possible chance of qualification for the next round, although Germany and Serbia are surely favourites to get there.

Ghana currently top the group but they may rue their failure to put away the ten men of Australia in their 1-1 draw last Saturday. Going into tonight's game with Germany on six points would have left them in a much stronger position but as it is they will most certainly need a precious point as Serbia should also be good enough to beat the depleted Socceroos.

Ghana have a strong immigrant population in Germany. Gerald Asamoah and David Odonkor have gone before and now Jerome Boateng is in the squad. His brother Kevin Prince is in the Ghanaian line up having defected from the country of his birth. Incidentally, it was Boateng's tackle on German captain Michael Ballack that caused the Chelsea midfielder to miss out on the World Cup.

Their is an argument that the Germans are better off without their leader, that he commands too much respect and authority in the changing room. Without him Die Mannschaft have been impressive and even let off the leash, even in the loss to Serbia. Mezut Ozil or Sami Khedira may not even be in the team had Ballack been there.

Miroslav Klose is missing for the game in Johannesburg but Germany should have enough nous to beat a comparatively unimpressive Ghana team. The West Africans may have beaten Serbia but against ten men they were clueless in going about getting a winner against Australia. Their own youthful inexperience may cost them their second round place and effectively end African involvement.

Serbia will be confident of progressing having beaten Germany and turning their own campaign around in the process. Milos Krasic, Nikola Zigic and Milan Jovanovic finally came good in their second outing and continuously caused problems that they hadn't done against Ghana.

All four of Serbia's defensive line of Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Vidic, Neven Subotic and Aleksandar Kolarov are all on yellow cards and any one of them may find themselves accepting a suspension for the sake of a place in round two. Subotic may be replaced bey the reutrning Alksandar Lukovic however.

Australia have Tim Cahill returning for what could be their final game. A win will be enough for the Socceroos as long as Germany and Ghana don't draw. They are without veteran defender Craig Moore and Harry Kewell for tonight's pivotal game which makes their task that much harder.

It should be an attacking game though as both sides need a win. Their inferior goal difference to Germany means Serbia have no option but to win in case that becomes a decisive factor, while Australia will know a win is the only thing that will give them any chance.   

Probable Teams:

Germany: Neuer, Badstuber, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Muller, Podolski, Cacau.

Ghana: Kingson, Pantsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Sarpei, Boateng, Asamoah, Annan, Tagoe, Ayew, Gyan.

Australia: Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Neill, Beauchamp, Chipperfield, Culina, Cahill, Valeri, Emerton, Bresciano, Kennedy.

Serbia: Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov, Kuzmanovic, Stankovic, Krasic, Jovanovic, Zigic, Pantelic.  

Review: Day 12

Group A

Mexico   0-1   Uruguay

France   1-2   South Africa

Final Standings

1. Uruguay

2. Mexico

3. South Africa
4. France

South Africa ended their World Cup campaign on a high note with a victory over France in Bloemfontein. The European superpower and the Bafana Bafana both needed to record big wins to progress but the home side will still take heart from a first World Cup win over a traditional big name and for bowing out with a courageous performance.    

South Africa will regret not playing with such intent and vigour in their pivotal second game with Uruguay. The home side were thoroughly dismantled that day and ultimately paid the price for the amount of goals they conceded because Mexico progressed in their stead despite finishing on the same amount of points.

As for Les Bleus, they head home in disgrace. Player unrest and in-squad turmoil over the past three weeks finally caught up with the team after their loss to Mexico last Thursday. The fall out from that game was clearly evident today as Raymond Domenech made six changes to his starting line up and those that were on the pitch performed in shame.

South Africa's early two goal lead was aided by the dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff but their lead was fully deserved anyway. In fact, it could have been three before half time had Katlego Mphela kept his shot inside the far post.

Bafana Bafana started the second half with similar intent but as time past the four goals they needed looked unlikely. Once Florent Malouda got one back the game fizzled out as the home side new their fate had been settled.

Uruguay, on the other hand, were the stand out team from Group A. They have gone through their three games without conceding a goal and have attacked confidently in their final two games. The have both defensive solidity and a goal threat, something a lot of underdogs have failed to combine in the group stages.

Their game with Mexico in Rustenburg was heavily expected to be a draw but both teams attacked from the off as they tried their best to avoid a second round meeting with Argentina. That honour ultimately befell Mexico for the second consecutive tournament. 

A sole header from Ajax goal machine Luis Suarez was enough to settle an open game. Both El Tri and La Celeste had their chances to score further goals but the Uruguayan defence stood firm to capture top place in Group B.

Uruguay are playing in only their second World Cup since 1990, the last time they reached the second round. The two time World champions will feel they now have a great chance to create new football memories for their country as South Korea now stand in their path. 

Mexico have qualified for their fifth consecutive second round, a destination they would have expected to reach before the tournament. Unfortunately for the Mexicans they are faced with the daunting prospect of Argentina, again.  

Group B

Argentina   2-0   Greece

South Korea   2-2   Nigeria

Final Standings

1. Argentina

2. South Korea

3. Greece

4. Nigeria

Argentina, even with a raft of changes to their starting lineup, completed a clean sweep of group stage victories. Maxi Rodrigues, Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito came in to form a new attack but la Albiceleste were just as strong as in their opening two games.

The Argentinians had been impressive going forward against Nigeria and South Korea and that form continued tonight in Polokwane. If anything they were even more attacking as Greece were happy to sit back and hope to steal a goal on the counterattack.

The goals finally came late on from Martin Demichelis and veteran striker Martin Palermo. Both were greeted by mass celebrations on the pitch and in the dugout as both were extremely popular goal scorers.

Palermo spent ten years in the wilderness before a recall from Diego Maradona last year, while Demichelis has been an error prone defender in recent games for his country and Bayern Munich. 

The Greeks started with only one man up front. Georgios Samaras had the unenviable task of leading the line in what was a generally defensive performance. The Celtic striker caused some problems for the Argentinian defense when he got the ball but often he was too isolated and forced to create opportunities on his own. 

He did have one opening with the scores still level but he hurriedly shot across the goal and wide of the far post. The Europeans now bow out as a result of their continued negativity but Argentina appear to be more united and confident with each passing game.

Argentina will be joined in the second round by South Korea, who managed to hang on for the draw that sees the Red Devils progress from the group stage outside their own country for the first time. 

The story about their draw with Nigeria is really about the opposition though. Nigeria lost their opening two games but still had the chance to qualify had they scored a third decisive goal in their final game. With the score at 1-0, the Super Eagles hit the post and with the side's level for the final 20 minutes both Ayegbeni Yakubu and Obafemi Martins missed chances that were probably easier to score. 

Coach Lars Lagerback has been paid over €1 million for the three competitive games his side have played but surely the millions of Nigerians in west Africa should be worthy of more. Had Sani Kaita not been sent off with his team 1-0 up against Greece they may well have qualified but over all they got what they deserved. 

The Koreans were more reminiscent of their opening game than their heavy defeat to Argentina. The passed briskly and showed high levels of energy as one would expect. The Asians were also quite adept with free kicks, an attribute most countries don't possess so far.

The tournament has been a bad one for African teams, as Nigeria become the third to officially bow out with Cameroon and South Africa, but the game is clearly on the up in Asia as not only South Korea but Japan have a great opportunity to progress to the second round.        

Preview: Day 12

Group A

Mexico v Uruguay, Rustenburg

France v South Africa, Bloemfontein 

(both 3pm)

Many believe Group A to be a foregone conclusion and the most straightforward of the eight groups at this World Cup. With one game to go for each team, all Uruguay and Mexico need to do is draw their game at Royal Bafokeng for both to progress to the second round.

The situation evokes memories of 1982 when Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a game that saw both progress to the second group stage. That game has set the current trend for final group matches being played simultaneously. More recently, in Euro 2004, Denmark and Sweden played out a 2-2 draw on the final day of the group stage, a result that conveniently saw both reach the quarter finals at the expense of an unbeaten Italy, conservatively coached by Giovanni Trapattoni.

Perhaps matters will be different this time however. While both will be desperate to make the last 16, neither will want to play Argentina, probable winners of Group B. Argentina are traditionally Uruguay's biggest rivals and the alibiceleste knocked Mexico out of the Mundial at the second round stage four years ago. They are not a welcome prospect.

A draw will leave El Tri up against it in round two, but they would rather take their chances against Argentina than not be there at all.

If one of the top two decides to go for the win and succeed, or even fail for that matter, either France or South Africa will be waiting in the wings to replace them in second spot. Both sides go into their encounter in turmoil, especially France.

For the French the tournament has been a disaster. Results have not gone their way, their performance against Mexico was spiritless and lacking direction and Nikolas Anelka has been subsequently sent home for a half time outburst in that latter match directed toward Raymond Domenech.

Since last Thursday, captain Patrice Evra has claimed their is a traitor in the camp, players have refused to train, members of the French Football Federation have resigned and rumour has it some players will chose not to play against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.

The feeling seems to be that Les Bleus have already accepted their elimination, believing the Spanish speaking duo will conspire against them.

As for the hosts they are already without the suspended goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi which makes their mountain that much harder to climb. Moeneeb Josephs will come as 'keeper for their do or die encounter.

A victory for Bafana Bafana will shine some light on their tournament and they would love to bow out on a good note. Their performance against Uruguay was so bad that a repeat is surely not possible and they will presumably have the heart to take the game to the French, who despite their superior players are a team in decline and chaos.

A win for either side, one feels, won't be enough anyway.

Prediction

1. Uruguay
2. Mexico
3. France
4. South Africa

Probable teams:

Mexico (4-3-3): Perez, Aguilar, Osorio, Rodrigues, Salcido, Marquez, Catro, Torrado, Dos Santos, Hernandez, Franco.

Uruguay (4-4-3): Muscila, M Pereira, Godin, Lugano, Fucile, Perez, A Pereira, Arevalo, Cavani, Forlan, Suarez.

France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra; Toulalan, Diaby; Ribery, Gourcuff, Malouda; Henry.


South Africa (4-4-1-1): Josephs; Gaxa, Khumalo, Mokoena, Masilela; Modise, Sibaya, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Pienaar; Mphela.
 


Group B

Argentina v Greece, Polokwane

Korea Republic v Nigeria, Durban 

(both 7:30pm)

Any two of the four teams comprising Group B can still qualify for the second round but Argentina appear to be confident enough of their progression that Diego Maradona might even ring the changes for his sides game with Greece.

Javier Mascherano, Walter Samuel and Jonas Guttierez are all certain to miss out. The latter is suspended, the former is on yellow and won't be risked and Samuel is injured for the game. Carlos Tevez and tournament top scorer Gonzalo Higuain are also expected to be replaced by Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito as el Diego does his best to keep all his superstars happy.

One superstar forward set to play is Leo Messi, who has been the orchestrator of everything positive Argentina have done thus far. Their two victories would not have been so emphatic without him.

Even a draw will give the Argies top spot and a potential second round clash with Mexico in a repeat of four years ago, but a victory seems more likely against a Greek them that will probably need a win to progress. A lot of space should therefore be handed to Argentina's attacking quartet of the three aforementioned and Angel di Maria.

Greece did well to turn around the game with Nigeria, scoring their first World Cup goals and pints in the process. The sending off clearly helped their cause and raised their spirits but taking the game to the opposition has never been a strenght of Otto Rehhagel's team. They will be delighted to even have this opportunity and if they can pull off a victory their place in the last 16 will be well deserved.  

That position should go to South Korea though. The performed with a pace and intent that neither Greece nor Nigeria have shown when they beat Greece on day two of the tournament. They retreated back into their shell against Argentina but if they return to the strategy that saw the red devils pick up three points they should beat a disheartened Nigeria team.

Nigeria will qualify if Greece fail to pick up a point and they can beat Korea by two goals. Not an insurmountable ambition but performances so far suggest it might just be beyond them. The Super Eagles have been reasonably impressive going forward, especially when Peter Odemwingie and Kalu Uche are on the pitch but at the back there are goals there for the taking. If not for the heroics of goalkeeper Enyeama the Africans goal difference would be so bad they'd be already out. If they can assert some physical dominance over the fit Koreans and score first, then they may have a chance.

The proposition of a second round tie with Uruguay should be enough motivation any team needs. The South Americans have been impressive but they won't be feared by any of the three vying for second place in Group B. A point should be enough for South Korea to progress with Argentina and they have appeared the most determined thus far to reach the next stage of the World Cup.  

Prediction
1. Argentina
2. South Korea
3. Greece
4. Nigeria

Probable teams:

Argentina (4-2-3-1): Romero; Otamendi, Burdisso, Demichelis, Rodriguez; Bolatti, Veron; Messi, Aguero, Di Maria; Milito.

Greece (4-5-1): Tzvoras; Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis, Vyntra; Ninis, Tziolis, Karagounis, Katsouranis, Salpingidis; Gekas.



South Korea (4-4-2): Jung S-R; Oh B-S, Cho Y-H, Lee J-S, Lee Y-P; Park J-S, Kim J-W, Ki S-Y, Lee C-Y; Park C-Y, Yeom K-H.



Nigeria (4-3-3): Enyeama; Odiah, Yobo, Shittu, Taiwo; Etuhu, Haruna, Yussuf; Uche, Yakubu, Odemwingie.