Group A

Group A is really hard to call, all four teams will be realistically hoping to progress. Host nation South Africa have the weakest squad, but with massive home support and the Vuvuzela's, they will be a dangerous team to face. There's no doubt that France have the strongest squad, they have great strength and depth at their disposal. However, with coach Raymond Domenech at the helm, the team looks completely disjointed and bankrupt of ideas. If stars like Lionel Ribery and Nicolas Anelka perform, then they have a chance of a successful tournament.

Mexico have a real chance of making it through, they have a good team spirit and can dominate sides with their precise passing. If they could get a draw today, it would give them something to build on. For me, Uruguay could be this year's dark horse, pace, power and work ethic runs through the team and not forgetting the strike duo of Forlan and Suarez. I have tipped them to beat France tonight and if they do, they will be in the Group A driving seat.

Prediction: Uruguay and South Africa to advance. France to crash out and Mexico just falling short.


Ant Myers

The Group Of Death

Every four years, the World Cup draws a highly competitive and entertaining group. This group is more commonly referred to as the "Group Of Death", and this year that prestigious mantle goes to Group G.

Whilst South Africa is in a state of eager anticipation following on from the hugely successful opening concert containing the Black Eyed Peas, for the neutrals it is the group of death that is the headline act at world cup finals. This time round Brazil, Portugal, The Ivory Coast and the seemingly hapless North Korea have found themselves in the most difficult group.

The Portuguese only have themselves to blame for finding themselves in this group after a poor qualifying campaign left then needing to win a play-off tie with Boznia and Herzegovina, which they did 2-0 on aggregate. However it is thought qualification from Group G will be just as difficult for the Portuguese, with the Ivory Coast prepared to mount a real challenge, alongside Brazil who are widely expected to top the group.

What is interesting about this years Group of Death is that arguably the race for second place is more intriguing than the race for first as Dunga's ruthless Brazilians are seen as almost sure things to qualify in first place. Who will end up qualifying in second place is anyone's guess as it is almost impossible to separate the Ivory Coast and Portugal, whilst North Korea have a history of upsets, having stunned Italy way back in 1966 although a similar upset seems unlikely.

Fixtures

15th June:

Ivory Coast VS Portugal (Port Elizabeth) Prediction: 1-1

Brazil VS North Korea ( Johannesburg) Prediction: 4-0

20th June:

Brazil VS Ivory Coast ( Johannesburg) Prediction: 2-1

21st June:

Portugal VS North Korea ( Cape Town) Prediction: 3-1

25th June:

Portugal VS Brazil ( Durban) Prediction: 1-1

North Korea VS Ivory Coast ( Nelspruit) Prediction: 0-2

Paul Seed

Uruguay v France - LIVE

Stadium: Cape Town

Time: 7.30pm

Ireland fans will be watching this game wondering what could have been if Thierry Henry hadn't cheated to help eliminate them from the play-off. That is history now, France are there and will be looking to prove their critics wrong. They face a strong Uruguay side who have aspirations of making the second round at least. Both teams will need to get off to a good start, as Group A is filled with 4 teams who all fancy themselves to advance further. I watched France last week against China and they looked like a team bereft of confidence and direction. Some will say that warm up games results are unimportant, but at this stage a team needs to show team spirit and cohesion.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Uruguay, they have some real entertainers in their ranks. the front two of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez would give any defender nightmares. The duo are prolific at club level and if they get any half chances they will punish you. The French defence looks immense on paper, however, recently it has been breached far too easily. It's been rumoured that all time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry will have to settle for a place on the bench, it will be a bold decision by coach Raymond Domenech if true.

Prediction: Uruguay 2-1 France.



Watch the game live in high quality flash at - http://www.flashsportstreams.com/forum/

Ant Myers

Best of the Rest: Strikers! Substitutes!

Franceso Totti (Roma; Italy) - Second striker
Maybe not quite the player he once was, he's far from a faded star, having played another good season for his beloved Roma, that nearly resulted in a scudetto. But Totti has himself to blame for being excluded from this Italian World Cup squad, as he retired from international football after winning it last time around, and didn't make himself available for Italy's qualifying campaign. He did say that he would come out of international retirement and be available for the World Cup finals in South Africa, but Lippi opted for more motivated players.

Lisandro López (Lyon; Argentina) - Striker
Another Argentinian. Better than Martin Palermo, too. Doesn't have quite as fancy a name, though. Having scored 25 goals for Lyon this season, and having won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, he's the one to lead the attack for Rejects United.
________

Stéphane Ruffier (Monaco; France) - Substitute
Young french goalkeeper who has looked very impressive for Monaco this season.

Julien Escudé (Sevilla; France) - Substitute
Solid veteran centre back.

Benoît Trémoulinas (Bordeaux; France) - Substitute
The 24 year old attack-minded left back has yet to make an appearance for France, but as his competition for the spot are first team regulars for Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Lyon, it hardly suggests he lacks quality.

Éver Banega (Valencia; Argentina) - Substitute
Following a disappointing loan session at Atéltico Madrid over the 08/09 season, the 21 year old defensive midfielder had better luck this season, as he's been one of the most impressive young players of the Primera División.

Adam Johnson (Manchester City; England) - Substitute
13 and goals 17 assists for the winger, over a season split in half between the Championship with Middlesbrough, and the Premier League with Manchester City. Johnson is one of the most exciting young English players, and would have likely made the selection if he were 23 years old rather than 22.

Darren Bent (Sunderland; England) - Substitute
With 24 Premier League goals to his name this season, Bent is the highest scoring top division footballer who's been snubbed for the World Cup. We welcome him here to get some imaginary international experience!

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid; France) - Substitute
The high profile striker failed to settle during his first season at Real Madrid and has quite frankly been poor. If you also take into consideration that Benzema has often failed to perform for his national team, Domenech's decision to drop him might not be as lunatic as you would expect from the lunatic. But there are no doubts about the ex-Lyon striker's ability, so we're willing to give him a chance to redeem his season. Besides, he has gained some valuable experience of warming the bench at Madrid, which could very well come in hand during the chilly South African winter nights. But I suppose he's not actually going there. Oh well, very well.


Previously:
Best of the Rest: Defenders
Best of the Rest: Midfielders

G. Lindström

South Africa v Mexico - LIVE

1433 Days have elapsed since Fabio Grosso’s penalty won Italy their fourth world cup. There is only one more day to wait until the greatest spectacle on earth starts again. 32 Countries are ready to fight for the coveted Jules Rimet trophy, and for the first time on the African Continent. For football fans the months of build up finally come to an end and the action can begin. Friday is a huge global event but for South Africa and the continent as a whole this match is especially significant.

South Africa is still a troubled nation with many experiencing crippling poverty, an AIDS epidemic and worrying crime levels. On Friday however people will not be focusing on these things anymore, for all of South Africa’s 49 Million residents the World Cup is a chance to show how far they have come and show people another side of Africa. We all wish them well and hope that the World Cup lives up to all expectations.

But what of the two teams for Friday’s curtain raiser. South Africa has a difficult group with Mexico, a dangerous Uruguayan team and one of footballs powerhouses France. There is optimism in the country as South Africa enter the tournament unbeaten in ten games and having reached the final of the confederations cup. They are going to be heavily reliant on Steven Pienaar producing good performances and driving the team forward. Their coach Carlos Alberto Parriera has world cup pedigree leading Brazil to triumph in 94’ and he will need to inspire this group of players. Mphela upfront will need to fill the void left by Benni Mcarthy’s omission, Aaaron Mokoena will need to be on his best form as he marshals the defence. Most importantly though if South Africa can foster a team spirit and harness the support of their country I feel they could get just get out of the group.

Mexico will not be an easy opponent for the hosts as England can testify. They are a well-organised side boasting young talent and experienced professionals who have been to many world cups. Rafael Marquez, Torrado, Blanco and Franco have all played at the highest level and playing the hosts will not daunt them. In Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos, and the promising Javier Hernandez Mexico have plenty of firepower to hurt any opposition. Mexico though are frail at the back and always looked like conceding from corners and set pieces against England. Their coach Javier Aguirre also has good experience having previously bee to a world cup as manager of Mexico and coaching Osasuna and Athletico Madrid. Mexico are dangerous opposition and they have successfully qualified from their group in the last four world cups. They will certainly enter this game as the favourites.

It is going to be extremely tough for South Africa to get through group A. It is imperative that they start with a win against Mexico. If they can beat Mexico they stand a very real chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time. Come three o’clock Friday afternoon Africa will host its first World Cup match the world will be introduced to the Vuvuzela and the greatest show on earth begins. Roll on Friday…


Watch the game live in high quality flash at - http://www.flashsportstreams.com/forum/


Laurie O’Brien

World Cup Star out of Chelsea

You could be forgiven for thinking I've made a mistake with the title with Chelsea player after Chelsea player being hit by injury. First it was Alex, then Ballack, Drogba broke his arm and Mikel soon joined the list.

This morning Chelsea announced that fan favourite Joe Cole would be leaving Stamford Bridge this Summer after a new contract failed to materialise. The 28 year old is widely expected to start on the left flank for the Three Lions against the USA.

With Joe Cole's future at club level uncertain, will the player play like a player in the proverbial shop-window, keen to impress and determined to catch the eye of scouts from the world's top clubs? Cole's glorious swirling first-time strike against Sweden was a highlight of England's last World Cup campaign in Germany and despite an injury-hit season, the former West Ham man still has the ability to put in a repeat performance.

Pete Guest

Best of the Rest: Midfielders

Esteban Cambiasso (Internazionale; Argentina) - Defensive midfielder
Argentinian media has speculated that the reason for Cambiasso's exclusion is his rumoured, alleged bisexuality. Maradona doesn't have the best of relationships with the domestic media (although he famously expressed a desire for a more intimate one...), so it may well be grudge driven, unfounded speculation. But you wouldn't put it past the great small man, would you?

Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen; Germany) - Defensive midfielder
Joachim Löw wished to make room for a younger generation when he dropped Frings after Euro 2008. The 33 year old defensive midfielder, however, hasn't dropped his standards and looks as good as ever, impressively scoring 6 goals since the Bundesliga winter break. As late injuries to Michael Ballack and Simon Rolfes have left the final German squad with just two central midfielders, Löw's stubborn refusal to call up midfield general Frings could prove to be one of the most costly managerial mistakes of the World Cup.

Lucho González (Marseille; Argentina) - Attacking midfielder
Lucho González' move from Porto to Marseille for up to €24M was one of the biggest transfers of last summer. Money well spent by Marseille, as the playmaker has been instrumental to the French club winning their first titles since 1993, creating more goals than anyone else in Ligue 1. He scored in his only appearance for Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers, but Diego Maradona wanted to have a look at another 199 players. Maybe he forgot about Lucho.

Ronaldinho (Milan; Brazil) - Attacking midfielder
Ronaldinho seems to have fallen off the radar a bit since his move to Milan, and while he did lose sharpness and discipline before and during his first season at the Italian club, he has over the past 10 months without a doubt shown he's still a world class footballer. With 15 goals and 19 assists, he's had a significantly better season than former teammate Kaká. Dunga might not believe he's a perfect fit for the desired playstyle of his Brazil, or may be worried about his off-pitch antics. Is that good enough reason to drop a highly motivated Ronaldinho? Looking at their current attacking options, it's hard to say yes. But on the other hand, looking at their defensive options, they may well end up winning the whole thing anyway.


Previously:
Best of the Rest: Defenders

G. Lindström