June 13th Preview: Algeria-Slovenia / Serbia-Ghana / Germany Australia

Preview for Sunday June 13th 2010

 VERSUS

Time: 1330h
Match: Algeria v. Slovenia (Group C)

Overview: After seeing England struggle to the US both of these teams will be motivated for what they see as the weakest match in the Group. Algeria took African 4th place and knocked out the highest ranked African team and consecutive champions Egypt to get to the World Cup, while Slovenia shamed the Czech Republic and Russia for their ticket.... both of these teams have shown they can beat bigger teams but how will they deal with each other? A veritable clash of civilizations on which both teams will be taking their chances.

Venue: Polokwane - Peter Mokaba Stadium  - Polokwane is the main city in the Northeast of South Africa, was a major site of the Boer War, and the site where Jacob Zuma was confirmed as ANC leader. 

Capacity: 46000 People

Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)

Country:Guatemala  

Date of Birth: 02.04.1968

Height: 178 cm

Place of residence: GUATEMALA CITY

Occupation: Scientist

Mother tongue: Spanish

Other languages: English

International since: 1996

First international: Panama-Canada (27.10.1996)

Hobbies: Sport, reading, time with family

Fondest memory: 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan: Germany v. Paraguay

Analysis: Algeria have far more international experience as a team, but Slovenia have an exceptional team spirit and teamwork. Algeria is generally the dirtier team but the more technically skilled one, the Slovenians will only have an advantage in goalkeeping, while both teams have a strong defense, but Algeria has been having more problems scoring goals. Algeria is carrying the weight of representing the entire football-crazy Arab world at this tournament, and Slovenia are out for an enjoyable experience.

Form: 

Algeria has not scored a lot of goals over the last 12 months, and won matches with defensive play – in fact their defenders have outscored their forwards 2-1 over the past 18 months. They are dangerous on freekicks and corners but the Slovenians are big lads, and getting goals against them is not easy.

Key Players: 

2 – Majid Bougherra is an excellent defender, and together with 4 Anther Yahia they form a very solid defensive partnership that not only keeps Slovenia from getting scored on very often, but also they score most of their country’s goals lately.

Directly against them will be 11- Milivoje Novakovic, the big naturalized Serb playing for Slovenia who has not stopped using his physique rather than technique to score for club and country since 2008. This very effective player can pose a significant challenge to Algeria’s plans.

Danger Men:

Abdelkadher Ghezzal, 9, is a strong and capable forward gaining experience in Serie A who is excellent a building constantly improving Algerian attacks. If he is allowed to run free in the Slovenian half goals could come out of it.

Samir Handanovic, 1, is one of the better goalkeepers in Serie A in recent years, and his form is key for Slovenia’s success. With an impressive defense against him, few have managed to score past his catlike reflexes and command of the goal area.

Playing style: Algeria have been highly defensive in a 4-5-1 formation over the past years. They dive and play the referee a lot, and they count on rapid counter-attacks. Slovenia is defensive but less – playing 4-4-2 with good wing play and forcing the opponents to make space for their attacks with good movement.

Previous Matches:

The big 0

Most likely scenario:

A defensive game that either team squeezes a 1-0 out of

A slight surprise would be:

If both teams score 2-2

A real shocker would mean:

More than 4 goals are scored in this game

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 VERSUS

Time: 1600h

Match: Serbia v. Ghana (Group D)

Overview: Probably my most anticipated match between the best non-big European team and the African team most likely to succeed at this World Cup. Both teams are very capable offensively and defensively and if they manage to gain points on Germany they could go far in this tournament. This promises to be an entertaining match. Ohh the Ghanaian coach is Serbian, and several Ghanaians played in the Serbian league.

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium – Pretoria – finally a match in the capital city and in an old atmospheric stadium as well. The Vuvuzela’s will enjoy the acoustics in this one! 

Capacity: 51760 People

Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina) - One of the best referees of the last 15 years, Baldassi is a consummate and concentrated match official. 

Country:Argentina  

Date of Birth: 05.01.1966

Height: 179 cm

Occupation: Businessman

Mother tongue: Spanish

Other languages: English

International since: 2000

First international: Venezuela-Chile (25.07.2000)

Hobbies: Golf

Fondest memory: Uruguay-Brazil 2005, Brazil-Uruguay 2008

Analysis: Ghana are young, but extremely skilled, talented and explosive. Missing Michael Essien of Chelsea should make them a little more disorganized, but this team is a strengthened version of he 2010 African Cup of Nations finalists combined with the team that just won the World Youth Championships... wether they will show it or not, this is one of the most talented young teams in the world. The Serbians respond with a great mix of young talent and old experience, and were arguable the best European team in qualification. A proud and accomplished footballing nation, this tournament represents a break with the chaos of the wars and politics that have surrounded the country for decades, and for the first time they appear as Serbia. This will be an entertaining high scoring game.

Form: 

Serbia are on excellent form and Ghana are on excellent form. The loss of legendary Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien should hurt Ghana’s chances, but then again they got to the African final in January without him.

Key Players: 

Dejan Stankovic, 10, the Serbian Captain just won the Champions League two weeks ago, and now is seeking to end his glorious career on a high. His passing, and marshalling the midfield should give Serbia the rocket fuel they need to achieve great things in South Africa.

Kwadwo Asamoah, 21, is one of the brightest prospect rising in the Italian Serie A. He is a fast and dangerous midifielder who dribbles and scores in big games, what else do you need at the World Cup?

Danger Men:

Stephen Appiah, 10, the Ghana captain was a fantastic midfielder, but he has played little in two years due to contractual problems and injury, he worked at Bologna to build up form for this tournament, and if he can return to his former fitness Ghana could be a power house in South Africa. If he doesn’t it would be a shame ending to a great career.

Milos Krasic, 17, is set to leave CSKA Moscow for Juventus after making a name for himself as one f the best young attacking midfielders in the game. His speed and power are a great addition to any team.

Prince Tagoe, 12, was the victim of a bad medical diagnosis last January when he moved from the gulf where he was a superstar to German up-and-commers Hoffenheim. He started playing again and scoring bags of goals.

Nemanja Vidic, 5, all eyes on the Manchester United defender, because Serbia has the potential to have an impenetrable defence with him at the back. Potential.

Previous Matches:

1 Game played in 1997 which Serbia won 3-1

Most likely scenario:

A scintillating game of unexpected actions and talent which Serbia edge 3-2.

A slight surprise would be:

An draw.

A real shocker would mean:

That this match would be unentertaining, because both teams can play beautiful football.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 VERSUS

Time: 2030h

Match: Germany v. Australia (Group D)

Overview: Giants Germany, weakened by injury take on the best Australian team ever fielded with a young and dangerous squad. Will Germany play as badly as France, Argentina and England on their opening match? Australia can give them a tough physical game, if only the defence holds out.

Venue: Durban –  Moses Mahiba Stadium 

Capacity: 70000 People

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

Country:Mexico  

Date of Birth: 10.11.1973

Height: 179 cm

Place of residence: MEXICO CITY, D.F.

Occupation: Physical education teacher

Mother tongue: Spanish

Other languages: English

International since: 1999

First international: Paraguay-Guatemala (03.03.1999)

Hobbies: Music, cycling, swimming, reading the Bible

Fondest memory: The births of his daughters

Analysis: Germany are always dangerous. Their new generation is more skilled than the classic older one, but perhaps just a touch too young and inexperienced. Who really proved that youth is a detriment? The Australians have a bit of everything, but their defenders are not what they used to be. The goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will be key if they do well.

Form: 

Both teams are on fair form. Germany are still adjusting to the loss of key midfield organizer Michael Ballack.

Key Players: 

Philipp Lahm. 16, is a great left wingback and Germany’s new captain after Ballack was injured. His attitude is much better than the former, and he proved it by scoring a magnificent goal within minutes of the start of the last World Cup.

Mark Schwarzer, 1, is a good goalkeeper, but he will have to prove it once again with the onslaught he will get in this group from 3 offensive teams. One game at a time, he will have to make at least 10 saves in this game.

Danger Men:

Marko Marin, 21, if not injured today is a brilliant attacking talent that Germany have not seen seen Thomas Haessler. His dribbling and runs are a constant danger to opponents, and the World does not know that yet.

Marco Bresciano, 23, has been scoring goals in the Italian Serie A from every position on the field. The Bald Australian-Italian is a danger to everybody, can he leave another mark in his great career?

Previous Matches:

2 Games both won by Germany, the Deutschies outscoring the Kangaroos 7-3.

Most likely scenario:

Germany turns on the style and wins 3-1.

A slight surprise would be:

A draw 1-1.

A real shocker would mean:

Australia pull a real shock and start of their World Cup 2-1.

Recommended Menu for the day:

A hearty German breakfast of boiled sausages and asparagus

Shrimp from the Barbie Aussie style with Slovenian white wine for lunch

For dinner a Waakye rice and beans dish from Ghana to accompany the Serbian Pljeskavica

German beer for desert with an assortment of Algerian Makroudh sweets.

Recipe for Makroudh

Ingredients:

3 cups of coarse semolina
dash of salt
1/2 cup smen (my friend used ghee when she made for me)
1/2 cup margarine (my friend said that using butter will make the dough hard)
same proportion of water to orange blossom water
Filling:
Pitted dates

Directions:

Warm date just enough to soften and shape the dates to elongated cylinders.
Melt both the smen and margarine and add to the semolina and salt. Mix well. (Rake the mixture well as if you are preparing couscous). Cover with tea towel and let mixture rest for about 1 hour.
Mix blossom water with water in the same proportion. Sprinkle the liquid into the rested mixture until the dough sticks together without being too wet.
Shape dough into cylinders, make deep impression in the middle to accomodate the date filling. Cover the filling and shape the cylinders such that the filling is in the middle. Flatten the cylinders slightly and cut cylinders diagonally. Once cut, make sure that the cut pieces are still compact. 
Traditionally shallow fry in moderately hot oil till both sides are nice and golden. Alternatively, bake in moderate oven till the makroud is done (ie when the whole kitchen invitingly smells of baked semolina).
Warm honey (with added dash of orange blossom water). Immerse the makroud in the honey mixture.

This is the only recipe I could find in english, usually you will find it in french. I have had this directly from Algiers, and the outside was crumbly, and it was flat with the layer of date mixture was sandwiched in the middle. It's delicious served with coffee