Group A Preview

The Group A Contenders

South Africa	3rd World Cup appearance	1 Win 2 Loses 3 Draws	1996 African Champions
Mexico	14th World Cup appearance	11 Wins 12 Draws 22 Losses	2 times in WC Quarterfinals (70, 86) & 8 times North American Champions  & 3 times third place in Copa America
Uruguay	11th World Cup appearance	15 Wins 10 Draws and 15 Losses	2 Times World Cup Winners (30, 50)& 14 Times South American Champions (incl. 83, 97, 95)
France	13th World Cup appearance	25 Wins 10 Draws 16 Losses	1 Time World Cup Winners (98) 1 Time Runners-Up (2006) 2 Times 3rd Place (86, 58) & 2 times European Champions (2000, 84)

The Expected Scenario

The standard „safe” bet on this group is France qualifying with a vicious battle for second place between very good Uruguay and Mexico with South Africa benefiting from local support.  Although the choice for second between Uruguay and Mexico is very divergenet among the experts, most position Uruguay second because of the star players such as Diego Forlan.

The Slight Surprise Scenario

Uruguay or Mexico upset France and South Africa actually gets points. This means that France would finnish second with Uruguay and Mexico first.

The Shocker Scenario

France does not make it out of the group due to internal fighting and bad coaching (not really such a shocker). Uruguay and Mexico are the mostly likely to advance then, Mexico would be the first due to exceptional team play. In the scenario when France loses points South Africa could end up beating them on the last match day of the group creating a real upset.

Obi Wan Asterix Subjectivelly Says

In this group the shocker scenario is not impossible at all. France’s coach Raymond Domenech is a widely known loony, and public opinion in France and Europe has long ago determined that he should have been fired. He has left out many of France’s best players, and his approach is so psychological that he forgets about the tactical side of the game, which meant France barely qualified for the World Cup thanks to Thierry Henry’s handball against the Republic of Ireland.

Uruguay and Mexico are very underrated teams. Uruguay have one of the best attacking players in the world in Diego Forlan, fantastic defenders and both a creative and destructive midfield. Mexico is about to become one of the world’s foremost teams, with heavy competition to play for the national team, and a superb young generation.

This simply means that an upset for France is more than likely.

South Africa. South Africa? Their coach Carlos Alberto Pareirra has won the World Cup with Brazil. They are extremely talented, but many of their best players play in the South African league and not internationally. They can dribble, have technique and abilities but simple lack experience against big teams. If their fans can get behind them and their players will manage to pull off the magnificient performances they are sometimes capable off.... South Africa could perform beyond expectations (no matter how heavy)

Key Personalities

The South African Fan

South Africa’s performence depends largely on the home crowd’s tenacious enthusiasm.

Thierry Henry

Once a legendary forwards, now a benchwarmer at Barcelona capable of legendary handball goals. Henry still has an exceptional football intelligence even if his legs are not what they once were.

Franck Ribery

A terrible season ending, a scandal involving an underage prostitute a red card forcing him to miss the Champion’s league final. A lot is expected of this great talent can he deliver?

Raymond Domenech

France’s insane coach. Can he show the world why he is still holding that position after all these years?

Diego Forlan

Many times top goalscorer of the Spanish League, the former Manchester United player can score from anywhere. His relativelly poor season ended very very well. A lot is expected of him.

Diego Lugano

Internationally still unknown, but Fenerbahce fans will laud his defensive genius. If not for his temper and love of red and yellow cards he could really make a name for himself to match his talent.

Andres Guardado

Entertainment and flair embodied. This curly haired left winger will certainly fill the void left by Ronaldinho’s absence during this WC.

Rafael Marquez

The Barcelona defender has captained Mexico since time imemorial, can be at his best to allow Mexico to fulfill their international potential?

Steven Pienaar

The Everton man is capable. He has to be South Africa’s midfield general with his brilliant creative play and passing if the host nation is to advance.

Benny McCarthy

He has always been known for scoring goals, but with his national team he has been known for being extremely lazy. Can he shed his image and reproduce his Blackburn Rovers form?

Sebastián Eguren

The Swedish-Uruguayan was much aclaimed during his Villareal days, and if he continues his midfield workhorse function Uruguay could go far.

André-Pierre Gignac

A natural goal scorer that everyone wanted in their team... until last year. This year he had a miserable season, can he produce the goods for France?

Luis Suárez

The star of the Dutch league, he can create the space for Forlan to score. He could leave this world cup as an international superstar or an also-ran.

Edinson Cavani

One of the best less-known players in the Italian Seria A. Knows how to use his head physcially and metaphorically. For a tall guy he is a technical genius of Ibrahimovic caliber.

Unknowns Set to Shine

Hugo Lloris

Not unknown but not well known enough. One of the few young goalkeepers with the superhuman reflexes of Iker Casillas, he was largely responsible for France qualifying and Lyon getting to the Champion’s league semifinals.

Javier Hernández Balcázar

A superb goalscorer and extremely promissing talent. This young player has set the Mexican league on fire and scored 4 goals in his first 4 games for the Mexican National Team. He is Manchester United’s new summer signing.

Sebastián Fernández

Highly respected in the Argentine League, he is fast and technically capable. He should emerge on the scene as a supersub this WC

MacBeth Sibaya

Highly respected in Russia with champions Rubin Kazan, this midfield machine could be the key ingredient if South Africa are to advance.

Marc Planus

A hero with France’s Bordeaux in defence, calling him up could almost possibly perhaps make up for Domenech’s other mistakes.

Nicolás Lodeiro

Ajax’s new young talent, a superb playmaker and attacking midfielder although inexperienced.

The Schedule

1	11/06 @ 1600h
2	11/06 @ 2030h
17	16/06 @ 2030
18	17/06 @ 2030
33	22/06 @ 1600
34	22/06 @ 1600