The first group in this world cup features a rather interesting and diverse bunch. First off you have the hosts, South Africa. Every host nation has advanced out of the group stages of the tournament since they introduced the group stage concept. South Africa, however, is, on paper, the worst team in this group by a country mile. This does not mean anybody can overlook them, not at all. Crazy things happen when 75000+ people (just in the stadium) are cheering for you; 11 men can change what should be an easy win for one team into a complete nightmare and horrifying loss. Joining the hosts is Mexico, Uruguay, and arguably the "top team" of the group France.
South Africa
"The little host nation that could"
The Home Jersey of Bafana Bafana
The Road Jersey
While it goes completely against my judgement as a soccer fan, I think these guys will keep tradition alive. No way they don't advance out of the group. If USA 1994 taught us anything its that expect the unexpected from the hosts. Will they be pretty games? Far from. But will they be fun to watch because of the noise and pure energy/adrenaline pumping through the air?! Hell yes. This team features players that most of us have never heard of. The one player most will recognize when looking at the team is the little guy from Everton, Steven Pienaar. He personifies what this team is all about. His hard work rate, never ending energy, and small stature sums up a team that most would say hasn't the slightest chance to even score, let alone win. Don't overlook these guys, believe me when I say they will make noise (literally) and be heard loud and clear all across the globe.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs, Shu-Aib Walters
Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa, Matthew Booth, Lucas Thwala, Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tsepo Masilela, Anele Ngcongca, Lucas Thwala
Midfielders: Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thanduyise Khuboni, Kagisho Dikgaco, Macbeth Sibaya, Surprise Moriri
Forwards: Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker, Siyabonga Nomvete
Mexico
El Tri find themselves in one tough group
Home Jersey
Road Jersey
Mexico got one of the worst draws of any country in this tournament, if you ask me. How can one say that when they aren't in the group of death or even, by my standards, the second worst group? It would be because they have to open the tournament up against the host nation. Usually this wouldn't be so bad. In all likelihood, that game would be one you didn't expect to win anyways (the hosts tend to be semi decent or fairly good). However, because the host is the "worst team" (on paper) in this group, opening against them is the worst thing I think. The opening game is followed by one against the top team, and Mexico could very easily be going into the last game with 0 points. Mexico is going to have to play with some crazy intensity and heart if they are to advance out of this group. If I were a betting man, however, I wouldn't be putting money on them. Sorry Mexico, as they say, its the luck of the draw.
Roster:
Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara); Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas); Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham); Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).
Uruguay
The Forgotten Champions
The rather awesome home kit for Uruguay
Followed by a rather boring road kit sadly
Uruguay is, as I have tagged them, the forgotten champions of soccer. They hold to their name 2 world cup trophies. One in 1930 and another 20 years later in 1950. They have seemingly in recent history, however, gone astray of their winning ways. Playing in the same confederation as top dogs Brazil, Argentina, etc will do that to you. I must say that this team was one of the more exciting ones to watch in qualifiers. It is important to note that they barely made the tournament. They had to play in the playoff against Costa Rica (poor Ticos) to secure their spot. However, being from the South America Confederation, that's still quite an accomplishment. I see these guys making noise as well, and really pushing France and Mexico for that other spot in the group (likely top spot). Will they advance? Its anybodies guess really. With that said, I have my money on them to be the shocker of the group along with South Africa.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)
Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)
Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo)
France
The most memorable moment of World Cup 2006
The Home Kit of the Turkeys
And Road Kit
France, just 4 years after defeat in the cruelest fashion, find themselves back in the world cup with a chip on their shoulder. Having made it into the tournament by the hand of Henry, however, their confidence seems to be in the cellar. While, on paper, they are the top team in this group, nobody seems to be scared of the French, especially without the one and only Zidane. By no means do I think France will be a pushover in South Africa, but I don't expect to see much from this squad. I think their lofty ranking is bloated and will suffer a low blow when they find it hard to get any points. On the other hand, if this team plays to its potential (they are stacked) then they could also make a deep run and shock us all again. As a MLS fan, however, I hope to see these guys out in the group stages so Henry can make the voyage to New York and finally get that beautiful stadium of theirs filled to capacity.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Cédric Carrasso, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda
Defenders: Eric Abidal, Gaël Clichy, Patrice Evra, William Gallas, Marc Planus, Anthony Reveillere, Bacary Sagna, Sebastien Squillaci
Midfielders: Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra, Yoann Gourcuff, Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery, Jeremy Toulalan, Mathieu Valbuena
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka, Djibril Cisse, André-Pierre Gignac, Sidney Govou, Thierry Henry
Matches
Here is how I see group A going through the group stage:
6/11/10: South Africa 2 - Mexico 1
6/11/10: Uruguay 1 - France 1
6/16/10: South Africa 0 - Uruguay 1
6/17/10: France 2 - Mexico 2
6/22/10: South Africa 2 - France 2
6/22/10: Uruguay 3 - Mexico 3
Derived Standings:
Uruguay 5 pts, +1 GD, 5 GF, 4 GA
South Africa 4 pts, 0 GD, 4 GF, 4 GA
France 3 pts, 0 GD, 5 GF, 5 GA
Mexico 2 pts, -1 GD, 6 GF, 7 GA
Key:
pts = points
GD = Goal Differential
GF = Goals For
GA = Goals Against
Best Jersey in the Group: Uruguay Home Kit
- Honoroable mention to both South Africa Home and Mexico Road
Worst Jersey in the Group: Uruguay Road Kit
- Honorable mention to France Road (saved by the pin stripes)
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