Review: Day 3

Group C

           Algeria   0-1   Slovenia

The worst game of the World Cup so far was played out in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon, and hopefully that is an accolade it holds until after July 11th.

Both teams were already thought of as the weakest European and African sides in attendance and they proved that theory to be true. Ninety minutes of scrappy, sub standard football was played out with barely an attacking threat in sight. How either side managed to score a goal is a mystery in itself.

Once Algeria were relegated to ten men Slovenia should have taken control, but that was not the case. One speculative shot from captain Robert Koren was enough to move the Slovenes to the top of the group.

Judging from their performance today however, they won't be there for long. England and even the US should be rubbing their hands in anticipation of what should be two routine fixtures for them.

   

Group D

                          

           Ghana   1-0   Serbia

Ghana’s narrow victory over Serbia in Pretoria leaves them in pole position for a place in the second round of the World Cup.

With the Germans expected to progress from Group D, any one of Ghana, Serbia and Australia were believed to have the potential to join them in the knockout stages, but Asamoah Gyan’s late penalty has given the Black Stars the advantage after the first set of fixtures.

The importance of these fixture in the context of the final standings was evident. Both sides were nervy and at times apprehensive, especially Serbia. Defeat was inconceivable for both the Africans and Europeans, but Serbia are facing down the barrel, with an impressive German team next in the firing line.

Ghana’s victory was fully deserved following a courageous display in Loftus Versfeld. With Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah relegated to the bench, a youthful Ghanaian team looked far more comfortable in possession and quicker on the attack than their Balkan opponents.

After a bright opening to the game from both sides, the game became scrappy. Set piece opportunities appeared to be the only realistically route to getting on the scoreboard and both sides had chances, particularly new Birmingham City recruit, Nicola Zigic.

In the second half, the pace and confidence of Ghana’s young stars began to shine through. Last September, the country’s under-20 side won the World Cup in Egypt and a handful of that side have made a seamless transition to the full international squad.

With Dede Ayew raiding down the left, the powerful Prince Tagoe doing the same on the right and Gyan lithe and dangerous up front, the Black Stars looked the more dangerous. The quick feet, clever passing and direct approach the Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic had warned his team-mates about last week was much in evidence.

The game changed 15 minutes from time when centre half Aleksandar Lukovic was sent off for a second bookable offence. Raddy Antic’s team showed a greater threat once they went down to ten men however, as an otherwise disappointing Milos Krasic forced an impressive save from Richard Kingson, and Nemanja Vidic headed slightly over from the resulting corner.

With just six minutes remaining, the Serbian penalty area descended into chaos, as substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic inexplicably handled the ball under little Ghanaian pressure.

Rennes striker Gyan, who scored his country’s first ever goal in a World Cup four years ago against Czech Republic, stepped up and converted the spot kicked emphatically. From that point there was only going to be one winner, and the match winner even hit the post in the final moments.

The final whistle sparked scenes of mass celebration both on the pitch and in the stands. Gyan proclaimed the day a victory for Africa, while John Pantsil performed a lap of honour waving his nations flag.

Gyan said: "This win is very important. We took the three points and everybody is happy.

"We knew what the Serbians would do. They play a long ball but tactically we were perfect today. Everybody is happy for us and every African is happy. All Africa is behind the Black Stars."

Ghana will now enter Friday’s game with Australia in the knowledge that a win will guarantee their progression even before facing Germany. Serbia, on the other hand, looked forlorn at the final whistle. An uphill task awaits the side previously considered tournament dark horses.

 

           Australia   0-4   Germany

Germany made their World Cup intentions clear as they tore into a disappointing Australian team for 90 minutes in Durban, providing the tournament with its stand out performance thus far.

Goals from Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and Cacau were the least die mannschaft deserved from what was a confident, free flowing performance from their young side.

Any chance the Socceroos had of salvaging anything from their opening game were ended with the score at 2-0 in the 55th minute, when the talismatic Tim Cahill was shown a straight red card for an accidentally clumbsy challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

For all their dominance, it was the Australians who started the brightest, almost taking an early lead from a goal mouth scramble. The German’s early nerves soon withered away, as play maker Mezut Ozil, of Werder Bremen, started to pull the strings.

Opportunities had been already wasted by the time Muller’s pull-back was drilled into the net beyond Mark Schwarzer from the edge of the box by Podolski. From that point onward, the first half was all one way traffic.

The Germans had to wait another 20 minutes before Klose scored his 11th World Cup goal, a phenomenal tally for a player who has only three league goals to his name this season. Philip Lahm’s cross from the left was headed in by the Bayern Munich substitute for the tournament’s first headed goal.

The Germans toyed with the Socceroos as they saw out the half. The pace and confident swagger of Ozil and Sami Khedira had their opponents in disarray. Australia have been renowned for their commitment and organisation but it was not on show in Durban.

They started the second half with some belief and had the Euro 2008 runners-up under pressure for a short spell. Passes began to stick and an aerial bombardment provided some nervous moments for Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich. The sending off of Cahill though, ended any Aussie ambitions.

The last 35 minutes were comfortable for Germany, and coach Jogi Low was even able to give a rest to Ozil, Podolski and Klose.

The route was completed by Muller, who finished stylishly off the post, and substitute Cacau, who poked home Ozil’s cross two minutes later in the 70th minute, having only been on the pitch a matter of seconds.

Germany have laid down a marker in their first outing. Those who thought they were a fading force without Michael Ballack were forced to think again and reconsider their World Cup prospects.

Australia, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they are to take Group D to the final day. Ghana are up next and defeat is not an option.

Preview: Day 3

Group C

Algeria v Slovenia, June 13th, 12:30pm, Polokwane

With Saturday's draw between the two Group B superpowers, Algeria and Slovenia will feel a win in Polokwane will give them a realistic chance of a second round berth. 

Both teams come into the game in confident mood, but Slovenia have been able to back up that feeling in recent performances on the pitch. Last weekend's victory over New Zealand in Maribor was the Slovens only warm up fixture but spirit and desire was clearly in abundance. 

The game also marked the return from injury of striker Milivoje Novakovic, who scored two beautifully taken free kicks in a 3-1 win. 

The eastern Europeans possess a far more settled side than that of Algeria, based around commitment, organisation and inspirational leadership from coach Matjak Kek and captain Robert Koren.

Although Rabah Saadane has put on a brave face, his options appear to have dwindled. Captain Yazid Mansouri has been dropped from the starting line up due to poor form. 

On the brighter side of things Faouzi Chaouchi and Nadir Belhadj have been given amnesty by FIFA and are now eligible to play in their country's first World Cup game since 1986. The Portsmouth wide man and the Desert Foxes first choice goalkeeper were sent off in the Nations Cup semi final defeat to Egypt, but their slates have been wiped clean where once a two game ban had been implemented.  

Recent defeats to Serbia and Ireland had left the Algerians feeling doomed but last weeks victory over UAE has put a late spring in their North African step.

Probable line-ups:

Algeria (4-4-2): Chaouchi, Belhadj, Bougherra, Yahia, Halliche, Ziani, Yebda, Lacen, Mansouri, Ghezal, Saifi

Slovenia (4-4-2): Handanovic; Brecko, Cesar, Suler, Jokic; Kirm, Radosavljevic, Koren, Birsa; Dedic, Novakovic

Group D

Ghana v Serbia, June 13th, 3pm, Pretoria

The “group if death” kicks off on Sunday afternoon, providing what should be two pivotal matches in the context of the group’s final outcome.

First up, European dark horses Serbia, playing in their first World Cup as an independent nation, take on Ghana, who are competing in their second consecutive tournament.

Serbia are heavily fancied to cause an upset in the coming weeks but to do so this is a match that they must win. Having qualified impressively, a lot is expected of Radomir Antic’s White Angels this summer. The same applied four years ago in Germany, but three defeats quickly followed. A positive start is a necessity for what is now a far more experienced and well rounded outfit.

Serbia’s preparation has seen some inconsistent results, ranging from a 4-3 win over Cameroon to a one goal defeat to New Zealand, but come 3pm on Sunday Dejan Stankovic and his team should have eradicated any complacency.

The absence of Michael Essien from the Ghanaian line up will be all the motivation the Balkan state needs. The Chelsea midfield dynamo is the heart and soul of the Black Stars, but they still performed admirably without him in January’s Nations Cup. The West African side reached the final only to narrowly lose to Egypt.

The mantle of responsibility has been taken over by Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan. The experience of veterans Stephen Appiah and John Mensah will also be pivotal to any ambitions the Black Star harbour.

The incorporation of some members of Ghana’s under-20 World Cup winning team from last Autumn will offer youthful exuberance, pace and options from the bench. Otherwise expect a solid outfit, with a lot of dynamism in midfield in particular.

Serbia, however, have strength in depth and a host of European renowned players to call upon. With Nemanja Vidic a rock at the back, Stankovic breaking up play in the midfield and the creative vision of Milos Krasic out wide, Nicola Zigic and Marko Pantelic should receive enough opportunities to win the game.

Injury doubts for the game include Manchester United’s Vidic and Muntari for Ghana, who have been suffering with a virus and thigh strain respectively for the past few days. Come kick off time however, expect the Serb and the Inter man to be primed.

Probable line-ups

Serbia (4-4-2): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov, Stankovic, Milijas, Krasic, Jovanovic, Pantelic, Zigic.

Ghana (4-2-3-1): Kingson, Sarpie, Mensah, Vorsah, Pantsil, Annan, Boateng, Muntari, Appiah, Ayew, Gyan.

Australia v Germany, June 13th 7:30pm, Durban

The second Group D game of the day pits three time winners Germany against Australia’s Soceroos in Durban.

Germany’s preparations for the tournament have been rocked by the injuries sustained by captain Michael Ballack, Rene Adler, Simon Rolfes and Heikko Westermann, but luckily for coach Jogi Low, there are talented replacements to call upon.

Australia, on the other hand, will line out with much the same team from their successful venture in Germany four years ago. High concentration, pressing of the ball and accurate interplay have all become features of Australia’s play in the intervening period.

Team captain Lucas Neill said, speaking on the eve of the game, that "Germany are rightly favourites. They're a superior team to us, they play in better leagues, they've been to the World Cup so many times before and they've earned that right.

We know we're the underdogs. And we know we'll have to be at our very, very best to get near a German side on the night.”

This German team has been written off by many pundits because they lack star names and experience is at a minimum, but Die Mannschaft have youthful talent in abundance, particularly in midfield.

The high intensity and speed with which Jurgen Klinsmann’s team played with in 2006 could be on show again tomorrow as the like of Mezut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos and Marko Marin may get a chance to show what they can do.

Surrounding their mercurial talents sit the reborn Bastian Schweinsteiger and new captain Philip Lahm, as well as internationally proven goal scorers Lucas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. If the old and the new can click, as they did in preparation, then Australia may be in trouble.

The Soceroos have had a mixed build up to their third World Cup. Having beaten local rivals New Zealand and Denmark, they were convincingly beaten by USA a week ago. Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Harry Kewell, who should recover from a groin problem in time, will need to lead from the front and hold firm if there are to handle the youthful, fleet footed Germans.

Probable line-ups:

Australia (4-5-1): Schwarzer, Chipperfield, Neill, Moore, Wilkshire, Culina, Grella, Cahill, Emerton, Bresciano, Kewell.

Germany (4-4-2): Neuer, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedhira, Ozil, Trochowski, Podolski, Klose.

Review: Day 2

Group B

         South Korea   2-0   Greece

Day two of the 2010 World Cup began with a rather low key affair. South Korea versus Greece was apparently the game FIFA had the most trouble selling tickets for and it that was proven by the attendance figures. The 46,000 seater ground in Port Elizabeth contained 15,000 empty seats, not exactly the ideal start to the opening game of the weekend.

Pre-game, Otto Rehhagel's Greece were expected to be physical, imposing and dominant in the air, all the while maintaining a sturdy defence. That plan came undone after six minutes however, as Asia's most successful team took the lead. From that point onward the Koreans were quick, inventive and attacked with purpose. Their final ball didn't always stick but their intent was comendable. The verve that encapsulated their run to the semi finals in 2002 was clear on the South African coast, as they tore the Greeks to shreds at will in the first half, but only had the one goal to show for it.

Greece were a disappointment. For all the talk of having a superior squad to 2004, they simply don't have a superior team. Georgios Karagounis and Angelos Charisteas may remain but they lacked the hunger of six years ago. They appeared to have no plan once they fell behind, and no ambition was shown until substitutions had been made into the second half.

It was too late at that point, as Park Ji- Sung capitalised on a heavy Greek touch in midfield by nipping in and slaloming his way into the box to seal a two goal lead which the Red Devils never looked like relinquishing.

Korea may prove to be the surprise package of the tournament, while Greece have been its worst performers thus far.

           Argentina   1-0   Nigeria

Argentina outlined their credentials in what became a nervy affair in Ellis Park. From the first minute, the Argentines looked up for it, composed and sharp, especially the attacking duo of Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi.

While the South Americans were a little shaky in defence at times, going forward they were united and fluid. Several opportunities were wasted or saved spectacularly by the Nigerian shot stopper, but one got the feeling it's only a matter of time before the attacking triumvirate click and goals start raining in. If Diego Maradona can sure up his defence, or even find a more suitable left back than Jonas Guttierez, then this team may go a long way.

The same cant be said about Nigeria however. They did muster several chances to equalise, although nothing particular clear cut, but their entire organisation was a bit of a shambles throughout. Argentina ran them ragged in the first half especially and could have been a hatful ahead. Somehow the Super Eagles hung in and could somehow have snatched a draw. The introduction of Oba Martins, Kalu Uche and Peter Odemwingie provided a greater attacking threat, but had they salvaged a draw, it would have been undeserved.

La Albiceleste looked frightening at times, but Nigeria now face a major uphill challenge to reach the second round. Beating Greece next, in what will be a physical affair, is essential.

Group C

               England   1-1   USA

The evening game between old foes and new friends, England and the US, provided the most drama on day two. The game had been built up as the group decider, as revenge for USA's 1950 victory and as the first step of seven to glory, but the Three Lions failed to deliver on three counts.

Steven Gerrard provided some captain like inspiration after only four minutes but from that point onward England's performance started to unravel. The pace and urgency of the opening exchanges had the Americans up against the ropes, but once they weathered that storm, parity was implemented. 

The US had tried in vain to create some clear opportunities, but hey were restricted to tame long range efforts. Ultimately, that was exactly what they scored from. Clint Dempsey's shot to nothing should have been gathered by Robert Green but the world witnessed yet another English goalkeeping clanger. Like David Seaman, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson before him, the West Ham no. 1 will find this mishap hard to escape. 

One cant help but think about what was possibly going through his head as he scrambled to claw it out of the goal. Only he will know but the embarrassment episode could end up ruining his England career, as it did for Robinson and Carson after games with Croatia.

Dempsey's goal came from nothing, and provided the heavily supported Americans with something to clean to. They hit the post through Jozy Altidore in the second half, but they will be happy with a point. England dominated possession throughout but failed to create any major clear cut chances. Emile Heskey and Shaun Wright Phillips could have won it for the 1966 winners, but Tim Howard was never going to be beaten again.    

The quality of the goalkeepers is what ultimately settled it. USA have one, and England don't.

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.