2010 World Cup: Group A Preview
June 7th 2010 20:12
Only five days remain until the World Cup kicks off. We will be counting down the days here at FootballSlate with group previews and get everyone ready for all the action starting with Group A.
Featuring four ex-World Cup hosts as well as the current one, Group A is a group of uncertainties with all four teams coming in with question marks over their capacity to go through.
Overview
Since the Bafana-Bafana were automatically qualified as hosts, it's hard to get an idea of their potential for this tournament (they failed to qualify for this year's African Cup of Nations). However, their fourth-place finish in the Confederations Cup on home soil last year as well as their recent 1-0 win over Denmark (which continues their unbeaten streak now at 12 games) offers a a sliver of hope. Their main problem seems to be a lack of scoring against experienced sides - their biggest wins came against Guatemala (5-0) and Thailand (4-0) while they drew 1-1 against Bulgaria and had tight games against Denmark and Colombia (2-1).
Full squad list
GK: Moneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)
DEF: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa [Israel]), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth [England]), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk [Belgium]), Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows)
MID: Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan [Russia]), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Steven Pieenar (Everton [England]), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham [England]), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows)
FW: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Twente Enschende [Netherlands]), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows)
Keep an eye on: Steven Pieenar
With the absence of Benni McCarthy, all eyes will be on the Everton man to provide creativity and scoring chances from the midfield.
Overview
Every four years, it seems like Mexico is poised for a deep run only to crash out in the round of 16. They will be hoping to go deeper this year with a revamped system based on pressing, possession and constant movement. In terms of players, El Tri has a nice mix of veterans (Marquez, Blanco, Salcido) and young guns (Hernandez, Vela, Dos Santos) who are all talented and composed on the ball. Out of the four teams in the group, they are probably the sure thing but a lack of focus in defense could be their undoing.
Full squad list
GK: Oscar Perez (Jaguares), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Chivas)
DEF: Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven [Netherlands]), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven [Netherlands]), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona [Spain]), Ricardo Osorio (VfB Stuttgart [Germany]), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar [Netherlands]), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Chivas)
MID: Gerrardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna [Spain]), Jorge Torres (Atlas)
FW: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United [England]), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal [England]), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United [England]), Giovanni dos Santos (Galatasaray [Turkey]), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Alberto Medina (Chivas)
Keep an eye on: Javier Hernandez
In 12 appearances in the Mexican shirt, “Chicharito” has already scored seven goals and was recently signed by England's Manchester United. Look for him to be used as an impact sub when things aren't going too well.
Overview
They failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, but this time, La Celeste was ready, beating Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate to gain their ticket to South Africa. Although they were up-and-down through much of the qualification campaign – they finished fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, thrashing Bolivia and Peru to the score of 5-0 and 6-0, but also suffering an humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil in Montevideo – they are a dangerous side not to be taken lightly. Led by the striking partnership of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez in front, they are a ferocious attacking side that unfortunately leaves also much space at the back.
From Zonal Marking's excellent analysis of Los Charrúas,
Full squad list
GK: Fernando Muslera (Lazio [Italy]), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali [Colombia]), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
DEF: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce [Turkey]), Diego Godin (Villarreal [Spain]), Jorge Fucile (Porto [Portugal]), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile [Chile]), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo [Chile]), Martin Caceres (Juventus [Italy]
MID: Walter Gargano (Napoli [Italy]), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm [Sweden]), Alvaro Pereira (Porto [Portugal]), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax [Netherlands]), Diego Perez (Monaco [France]), Egidio Arevalo (Penarol), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia [Spain]), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile [Chile])
FW: Luis Suarez (Ajax [Netherlands]), Diego Forlán (Atletico Madrid [Spain]), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo [Brazil]), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield [Argentina])
Keep an eye on: Diego Forlán and Luis Suárez
The two strikers both had great seasons in their respective clubs. Forlán proved to be instrumental in Atletico Madrid's conquest of the Europa League, scoring three times against Liverpool in the semi-finals and scoring both Atletico goals in the final. As for Suárez, the young striker ended the 2009-2010 season as top scorer in the Eredivisie with 35 goals to his name (49 goals in all competitions).
Overview
What is there to say about this France squad that hasn't been said before? With Raymond Domenech at the helm, anything is possible for Les Bleus: from failing to score a single goal to miraculously making it past the group stage. Lassana Diarra's cup-ending injury has forced Domenech to rethink his system from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 (see Tom Williams' excellent article on the switch). The formation is different, but is the mentality the same? Hard to tell after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Tunisia and a shameful 1-0 loss against China with both results coming on the heels of a 2-1 win over Costa Rica.
The French squad also suffers from balance issues with Evra, Clichy, Malouda and Ribery all offensive-minded individuals playing on the left side while the right wing is pretty much bare (honestly, Govou is far from rating on the same level as the previously mentioned players). Furthermore, one of the main complaints by Manchester United's Evra after Euro 2008 was Domenech's reticence to let the full-backs play as wing-backs, giving them a more conservative – and ineffectual – role. Understandable when looking at France's fragile state in center defense (Barcelona's Abidal seems to be Domenech's first-choice partner for Gallas – that says it all) but less so when the team is getting stifled at the other end. It'll be interesting to see how they fare against Mexico and Uruguay.
Full squad list
GK: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandada (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
DEF: Bakari Sagna (Arsenal [England]), Eric Abidal (Barcelona [Spain]), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), William Gallas (Arsenal [England]), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Patrice Evra (Manchester United [England]), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla [Spain]), Gael Clichy (Arsenal [England])
MID: Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea [England]), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal [England])
FW: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich [Germany]), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos [Greece]), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Andre Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Thierry Henry (Barcelone [Spain]), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea [England])
Keep an eye on: Lloris, Gourcuff and Malouda
Obviously, everyone will be counting on Ribery to carry France but there are several players on this squad who will be interesting to watch. The first is goalkeeper Lloris who was solid for Lyon in their Champions League run. The second is Yoann Gourcuff. The young midfielder was sensational in 2008-2009 but slowed down a bit this year. Finally, Malouda, a laughingstock in some circles (see this YouTube parody of Adidas' “Impossible is Nothing” featuring Malouda), proved all his critics wrong this season with a majestic season at Chelsea. Overshadowed by Ribery on the left wing, he will have to settle for a more central role in midfield in this tournament.
Featuring four ex-World Cup hosts as well as the current one, Group A is a group of uncertainties with all four teams coming in with question marks over their capacity to go through.
SOUTH AFRICA
Overview
Since the Bafana-Bafana were automatically qualified as hosts, it's hard to get an idea of their potential for this tournament (they failed to qualify for this year's African Cup of Nations). However, their fourth-place finish in the Confederations Cup on home soil last year as well as their recent 1-0 win over Denmark (which continues their unbeaten streak now at 12 games) offers a a sliver of hope. Their main problem seems to be a lack of scoring against experienced sides - their biggest wins came against Guatemala (5-0) and Thailand (4-0) while they drew 1-1 against Bulgaria and had tight games against Denmark and Colombia (2-1).
Full squad list
GK: Moneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)
DEF: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa [Israel]), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth [England]), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk [Belgium]), Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows)
MID: Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan [Russia]), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Steven Pieenar (Everton [England]), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham [England]), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows)
FW: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Twente Enschende [Netherlands]), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows)
Keep an eye on: Steven Pieenar
With the absence of Benni McCarthy, all eyes will be on the Everton man to provide creativity and scoring chances from the midfield.
MEXICO
Overview
Every four years, it seems like Mexico is poised for a deep run only to crash out in the round of 16. They will be hoping to go deeper this year with a revamped system based on pressing, possession and constant movement. In terms of players, El Tri has a nice mix of veterans (Marquez, Blanco, Salcido) and young guns (Hernandez, Vela, Dos Santos) who are all talented and composed on the ball. Out of the four teams in the group, they are probably the sure thing but a lack of focus in defense could be their undoing.
Full squad list
GK: Oscar Perez (Jaguares), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Chivas)
DEF: Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven [Netherlands]), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven [Netherlands]), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona [Spain]), Ricardo Osorio (VfB Stuttgart [Germany]), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar [Netherlands]), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Chivas)
MID: Gerrardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna [Spain]), Jorge Torres (Atlas)
FW: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United [England]), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal [England]), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United [England]), Giovanni dos Santos (Galatasaray [Turkey]), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Alberto Medina (Chivas)
Keep an eye on: Javier Hernandez
In 12 appearances in the Mexican shirt, “Chicharito” has already scored seven goals and was recently signed by England's Manchester United. Look for him to be used as an impact sub when things aren't going too well.
URUGUAY
Overview
They failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, but this time, La Celeste was ready, beating Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate to gain their ticket to South Africa. Although they were up-and-down through much of the qualification campaign – they finished fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, thrashing Bolivia and Peru to the score of 5-0 and 6-0, but also suffering an humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil in Montevideo – they are a dangerous side not to be taken lightly. Led by the striking partnership of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez in front, they are a ferocious attacking side that unfortunately leaves also much space at the back.
From Zonal Marking's excellent analysis of Los Charrúas,
"Uruguay’s problem might be the formation itself. 3-5-2 is very rarely seen this days, largely because it has trouble containing the opposition full-backs. Against a side playing 4-5-1 / 4-3-3, the 3-5-2’s wing-backs are forced to defend a wing against both full-back and winger. Support can come from the players in the centre of the pitch, of course, but you’re then dragging them out of position and possibly exposing yourself in the middle."
Full squad list
GK: Fernando Muslera (Lazio [Italy]), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali [Colombia]), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
DEF: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce [Turkey]), Diego Godin (Villarreal [Spain]), Jorge Fucile (Porto [Portugal]), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile [Chile]), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo [Chile]), Martin Caceres (Juventus [Italy]
MID: Walter Gargano (Napoli [Italy]), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm [Sweden]), Alvaro Pereira (Porto [Portugal]), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax [Netherlands]), Diego Perez (Monaco [France]), Egidio Arevalo (Penarol), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia [Spain]), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile [Chile])
FW: Luis Suarez (Ajax [Netherlands]), Diego Forlán (Atletico Madrid [Spain]), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo [Brazil]), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield [Argentina])
Keep an eye on: Diego Forlán and Luis Suárez
The two strikers both had great seasons in their respective clubs. Forlán proved to be instrumental in Atletico Madrid's conquest of the Europa League, scoring three times against Liverpool in the semi-finals and scoring both Atletico goals in the final. As for Suárez, the young striker ended the 2009-2010 season as top scorer in the Eredivisie with 35 goals to his name (49 goals in all competitions).
FRANCE
Overview
What is there to say about this France squad that hasn't been said before? With Raymond Domenech at the helm, anything is possible for Les Bleus: from failing to score a single goal to miraculously making it past the group stage. Lassana Diarra's cup-ending injury has forced Domenech to rethink his system from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 (see Tom Williams' excellent article on the switch). The formation is different, but is the mentality the same? Hard to tell after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Tunisia and a shameful 1-0 loss against China with both results coming on the heels of a 2-1 win over Costa Rica.
The French squad also suffers from balance issues with Evra, Clichy, Malouda and Ribery all offensive-minded individuals playing on the left side while the right wing is pretty much bare (honestly, Govou is far from rating on the same level as the previously mentioned players). Furthermore, one of the main complaints by Manchester United's Evra after Euro 2008 was Domenech's reticence to let the full-backs play as wing-backs, giving them a more conservative – and ineffectual – role. Understandable when looking at France's fragile state in center defense (Barcelona's Abidal seems to be Domenech's first-choice partner for Gallas – that says it all) but less so when the team is getting stifled at the other end. It'll be interesting to see how they fare against Mexico and Uruguay.
Full squad list
GK: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandada (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
DEF: Bakari Sagna (Arsenal [England]), Eric Abidal (Barcelona [Spain]), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), William Gallas (Arsenal [England]), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Patrice Evra (Manchester United [England]), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla [Spain]), Gael Clichy (Arsenal [England])
MID: Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea [England]), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal [England])
FW: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich [Germany]), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos [Greece]), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Andre Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Thierry Henry (Barcelone [Spain]), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea [England])
Keep an eye on: Lloris, Gourcuff and Malouda
Obviously, everyone will be counting on Ribery to carry France but there are several players on this squad who will be interesting to watch. The first is goalkeeper Lloris who was solid for Lyon in their Champions League run. The second is Yoann Gourcuff. The young midfielder was sensational in 2008-2009 but slowed down a bit this year. Finally, Malouda, a laughingstock in some circles (see this YouTube parody of Adidas' “Impossible is Nothing” featuring Malouda), proved all his critics wrong this season with a majestic season at Chelsea. Overshadowed by Ribery on the left wing, he will have to settle for a more central role in midfield in this tournament.
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