Argentina-Nigeria preview

After 16 years, Diego Armando Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Argentinian bowed out of world football’s showpiece in 1994 after Argentina's match against Nigeria, a team he now faces as head coach tomorrow in the opening match in Group B.

The Africans, meanwhile, will be looking to avenge the defeat in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament 2008 in China, where La Albiceleste triumphed with a number of players who will be present in Johannesburg. They will be hopeful Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, one of the masterminds behind Argentina’s elimination from 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, will help them settle an old score.

The Match
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg, Saturday 12 June, 16:00 (local time)

Having come through a difficult qualifying campaign, the Argentinians are ready to start afresh in South Africa and, for the third time in a row, an African side will provide their first test - in 2002, they edged out Nigeria in a 1-0 win, while in 2006 they were 2-1 victors against Côte d'Ivoire. Maradona has at his disposal two of the top goalscorers in Europe this season as they look to secure their third consecutive victory over an African side: Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, who amassed an astonishing 61 goals between them. Starting hopeful Carlos Tevez, for his part, notched up another 22 for Manchester City.

The Super Eagles also struggled during the qualifying phase, although they will be hopeful head coach Lagerback can help them rediscover their rhythm. They will go into this game anxious to reverse the trend of their previous two FIFA World Cup encounters with the Argentinians, in 1994 and 2002, which saw La Albiceleste run out winners on both occasions. They will look to exploit their 'home' advantage, and also build on their recent 3-1 friendly victory over Korea DPR.

Key duel
Gonzalo Higuain vs Vincent Enyeama

The Argentinian scored 27 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga last season, and has reproduced the same clinical form for his country: he has found the net twice in four games and seems ready to add to that tally. "My dream is to be among the top scorers at the World Cup", Higuain said on his arrival in South Africa. To fulfil that dream he must first find a way past Vincent Enyeama, one of the few Nigerians to have kept his place in the Super Eagles' rearguard despite constant changes to their defensive formation. Enyeama, whose reflexes have earned him the nickname 'The Cat', already boasts FIFA World Cup experience, including a clean sheet against England in Korea/Japan 2002.

The stat
10 – The number of players that took part in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 who will come face to face again in Johannesburg: Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Dele Adeleye, Sani Kaita, Peter Odemwingie, Chinedu Ogbuke and Victor Obinna.

What they said
"Nigeria is a physically strong side capable of creating problems in attack. However, I think they are still a little disorganised in defence. That’s where we have to make the most of our potential," Diego Armando Maradona, Argentina coach.

"Messi is a good player and we respect him. We hope he respects us too. We’re not thinking about Messi, we’re thinking about playing Argentina, a good team," Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigeria forward.

Voice of the fans
"Great game in prospect. I reckon Argentina will win because their attacking style will push Nigeria back. That’s where the game will be won by Argentina, who I am supporting along with all the other South American teams." FIFA.com user AlanLeo-URU

The question
Are Nigeria strong enough to upset Argentina in their opening match?

Korea Republic-Greece preview

"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.

Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.

The match
Korea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time)

Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours the Asians, who ran out 1-0 friendly winners in February 2007, following a 1-1 draw in January 2006.

Korea Republic were the only team to remain undefeated in Asian Zone qualifying, with seven victories and a draw, and as a result go into the tournament full of confidence despite losing each of their final warm-up matches 1-0, against Belarus and Spain. The Greeks, meanwhile, took the long road to South Africa. The 2004 European champions had to come through a tricky play-off tie with Ukraine to book their place at the finals.

Players to watch
Ji-Sung Park vs Georgios Karagounis

Ji-Sung Park is the undisputed star of the Korea Republic team. Thanks to his exploits with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, the attacking all-rounder is an idol in his homeland and in 2008 became the first ever Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.

The 29-year-old faces an intriguing midfield battle with Georgios Karagounis at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The Panathinaikos captain is hailed as the heartbeat of the Greece side and will be doing his best to break down the Koreans' attacking endeavours with another typically industrious display.

The stat
0 – Greece crashed out of their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1994 with zero points and zero goals. In the USA they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 2-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Bulgaria. They will now be hoping to put things right against the Albiceleste and the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010.

What they said
"Countries like South Korea have great team spirit and plenty of passion. We won't disappoint the Greek people. You feel as though you are among the best teams in the world, and that's no small thing." Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach

"In our eyes, the match against Greece is the most important of the group stage. If we can win that, we'll have the opportunity to play differently against Argentina and Nigeria." Lee-Young-Pyo, Korea Republic defender

Voice of the fans
"I can hardly wait to see who wins this game. The winner of this match will go through to the next round with Argentina." FIFA.com user jungho_hwang.

The question
Can the Greeks score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal or even pick up a maiden victory in only their second appearance on the biggest stage of all?

England-USA preview

The opening game in Group C brings together two countries, England and USA, with a history of close relations and comradeship off the field but very little in the way of history on it. Except for one startling exception: the 1950 FIFA World Cup clash in Belo Horizonte which the Americans, seen as a 'ragtag' outfit back home, took a battering ram to convention and upset their fancied opponents 1-0. With Slovenia and Algeria also in the group at South Africa 2010, the Rustenburg game could be pivotal in the fight for qualifying places.

The match
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace), Saturday 12 June, 20.30 (local time)

Under their new coach Fabio Capello, England put together a near-perfect qualifying campaign, winning nine of their ten games and scoring 34 goals - six more than Spain, the next best - to top Europe's goal chart with Wayne Rooney joint second in the individual scoring roster.

The US were also demonstrating efficiency, losing just twice in the final six-team Hexagonal phase of North, Central America and Caribbean Zone, finishing a point ahead of second-placed Mexico. A year ago their stock, and that of coach Bob Bradley, rose considerably with their performances at FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 where USA ousted favourites Spain in the semi-finals before going down to a narrow 3-2 final defeat to Brazil.

England haven't impressed in the run-up to South Africa, beating Mexico none-too-convincingly and then only overcoming Japan via two own-goals. Capello, who lost skipper Rio Ferdinand for the entire tournament after sustaining a knee injury in their first training session in Rustenburg, was also unhappy with the first-half performance in a practice match against the Platinum Stars. He is likely to install Ledley King, who has his own fitness worries, alongside John Terry in the heart of the defence while Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips might earn surprise starting roles to augment Wayne Rooney's attacking thrust.

The Americans have scored victories over Australia and Turkey but went down 4-2 to Turkey. They are likely to stick with the tried and trusted formula that saw them reach the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup with midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the coach, warning their opponents to expect a physical approach.

Players to watch
Jozy Altidore vs John Terry

Altidore has made giant strides with the national team, impressing in qualifying and becoming the youngest ever hat-trick hero in US history. He will prove a powerful opponent for Terry, England's former skipper, who's star has fallen during a difficult second half to last season. With his regular England partner, Ferdinand, absent, it will be down to Terry to keep the US heavy-hitters at bay.

The stat
3 - Half of USA's six wins in 25 FIFA World Cup encounters were achieved against European opposition. As well as that famous 1950 victory over England they also beat Belgium 3-0 in 1930 and Portugal 3-2 in 2002.

What they said
"The big difference is that we've got a fit Wayne Rooney in this squad. And the squad is quite experienced. Obviously we're missing Rio but this squad is balanced. I think this is a lot of guys' last chance, considering their age at this World Cup," Joe Cole, England midfielder.

"If we give up too many wide free-kicks and direct free-kicks, we will probably get punished for it. It's important we're solid in defence and not leave guys open one-on-one," Tim Howard, USA goalkeeper.

Voice of the fans
"Let's not forget the underdog in the World Cup 2002: USA 3-2 Portugal. Portugal were the semi-finalists in the Euro 2000. This match against the English squad could be a very good match or a blow out," FIFA.com user dmuma55.

The question
England often carry a 'fancied' tag into a FIFA World Cup only to depart disappointingly on a penalty shoot-out. Will 2010 be the year when they finally make amends?

Argentina-Nigeria preview

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona controls the ball during a team training session

After 16 years, Diego Armando Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Argentinian bowed out of world football’s showpiece in 1994 after Argentina's match against Nigeria, a team he now faces as head coach tomorrow in the opening match in Group B.

The Africans, meanwhile, will be looking to avenge the defeat in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament 2008 in China, where La Albiceleste triumphed with a number of players who will be present in Johannesburg. They will be hopeful Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, one of the masterminds behind Argentina’s elimination from 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, will help them settle an old score.

The Match
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg, Saturday 12 June, 16:00 (local time)

Having come through a difficult qualifying campaign, the Argentinians are ready to start afresh in South Africa and, for the third time in a row, an African side will provide their first test - in 2002, they edged out Nigeria in a 1-0 win, while in 2006 they were 2-1 victors against Côte d'Ivoire. Maradona has at his disposal two of the top goalscorers in Europe this season as they look to secure their third consecutive victory over an African side: Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, who amassed an astonishing 61 goals between them. Starting hopeful Carlos Tevez, for his part, notched up another 22 for Manchester City.

The Super Eagles also struggled during the qualifying phase, although they will be hopeful head coach Lagerback can help them rediscover their rhythm. They will go into this game anxious to reverse the trend of their previous two FIFA World Cup encounters with the Argentinians, in 1994 and 2002, which saw La Albiceleste run out winners on both occasions. They will look to exploit their 'home' advantage, and also build on their recent 3-1 friendly victory over Korea DPR.

Key duel
Gonzalo Higuain vs Vincent Enyeama

The Argentinian scored 27 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga last season, and has reproduced the same clinical form for his country: he has found the net twice in four games and seems ready to add to that tally. "My dream is to be among the top scorers at the World Cup", Higuain said on his arrival in South Africa. To fulfil that dream he must first find a way past Vincent Enyeama, one of the few Nigerians to have kept his place in the Super Eagles' rearguard despite constant changes to their defensive formation. Enyeama, whose reflexes have earned him the nickname 'The Cat', already boasts FIFA World Cup experience, including a clean sheet against England in Korea/Japan 2002.

The stat
10 – The number of players that took part in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 who will come face to face again in Johannesburg: Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Dele Adeleye, Sani Kaita, Peter Odemwingie, Chinedu Ogbuke and Victor Obinna.

What they said
"Nigeria is a physically strong side capable of creating problems in attack. However, I think they are still a little disorganised in defence. That’s where we have to make the most of our potential," Diego Armando Maradona, Argentina coach.

"Messi is a good player and we respect him. We hope he respects us too. We’re not thinking about Messi, we’re thinking about playing Argentina, a good team," Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigeria forward.

Voice of the fans
"Great game in prospect. I reckon Argentina will win because their attacking style will push Nigeria back. That’s where the game will be won by Argentina, who I am supporting along with all the other South American teams." FIFA.com user AlanLeo-URU

The question
Are Nigeria strong enough to upset Argentina in their opening match?

Korea Republic-Greece preview

Georgios Karagounis of Greece celebrates with his team mate Sotirios Kyrgiakos

"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.

Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.

The match
Korea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time)

Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours the Asians, who ran out 1-0 friendly winners in February 2007, following a 1-1 draw in January 2006.

Korea Republic were the only team to remain undefeated in Asian Zone qualifying, with seven victories and a draw, and as a result go into the tournament full of confidence despite losing each of their final warm-up matches 1-0, against Belarus and Spain. The Greeks, meanwhile, took the long road to South Africa. The 2004 European champions had to come through a tricky play-off tie with Ukraine to book their place at the finals.

Players to watch
Ji-Sung Park vs Georgios Karagounis

Ji-Sung Park is the undisputed star of the Korea Republic team. Thanks to his exploits with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, the attacking all-rounder is an idol in his homeland and in 2008 became the first ever Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.

The 29-year-old faces an intriguing midfield battle with Georgios Karagounis at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The Panathinaikos captain is hailed as the heartbeat of the Greece side and will be doing his best to break down the Koreans' attacking endeavours with another typically industrious display.

The stat
0 – Greece crashed out of their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1994 with zero points and zero goals. In the USA they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 2-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Bulgaria. They will now be hoping to put things right against the Albiceleste and the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010.

What they said
"Countries like South Korea have great team spirit and plenty of passion. We won't disappoint the Greek people. You feel as though you are among the best teams in the world, and that's no small thing." Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach

"In our eyes, the match against Greece is the most important of the group stage. If we can win that, we'll have the opportunity to play differently against Argentina and Nigeria." Lee-Young-Pyo, Korea Republic defender

Voice of the fans
"I can hardly wait to see who wins this game. The winner of this match will go through to the next round with Argentina." FIFA.com user jungho_hwang.

The question
Can the Greeks score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal or even pick up a maiden victory in only their second appearance on the biggest stage of all?

Preview: Uruguay vs France

THE BIG PICTURE

It’s every bride’s worse nightmare: the bridesmaid is more attractive than the woman in the big white dress tying the knot. South Africa and Mexico will be a wonderful show engulfed by the buzzing stadium and on the back of the opening ceremonies, but this is the ‘paper game’. France has some of the biggest names at the Cup and Uruguay has an attack that even South American nations dream of (Brazil and Argentina are perfectly pleased with the status quo, however).

Not quite the purists’ dream, it still has the potential to flow rock back and forth, particularly if Oscar Tabarez’s wingbacks plan to go kamikaze and open up space in the back, and goals could be had aplenty. It could be quite the show, with a bit more focus on the pitch.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Group A:

This seems to be the hardest group to project, with the hot Mexico (form, not culinary temperature) and hosts South Africa making this one of the true four horse races on paper, so though it’s an overused cliché: every game does count.

But it may just mean a bit more for the psychology of France, given the way the nature of qualification (notice how skillfully ‘the way they handled…’ was avoided), their friendly loss to the footballing colossus China and the general aura surrounding lame duck Raymond Domenech. A loss and they might be starting the Laurent Blanc early – real early.

Bet on Uruguay v. France

SQUADS

Uruguay: GK: Muslera, Castillo, Silva; DF: Lugano, Godin, Scotti, Victorino, Caceres, Fucile, Pereira; MF: Eguren, A Pereira, Gargano, Perez, A Fernandez, Lodeiro, Rios, Gonzalez; FW: Suarez, Forlan, Abreu, Cavani, S Fernandez

France: GK: Lloris, Mandanda, Carrasso; DF: Sagna, Evra, Gallas, Abidal, Squillaci, Planus, Clichy, Reveillere; MF: Diarra, Toulalan, Malouda, Gourcuff, Diaby (Arsenal); FW: Henry, Anelka, Gignac, Ribery, Govou, Cisse, Valbuena

KEY MATCHUP
Half joking, half for serious it should probably be Hugo Lloris versus the Jabulani. France have had more trouble with adidas’ latest mad creation, with China’s physics-defying swerve felling Hugo in their final friendly and a bounce boggling Steve Mandanda against Costa Rica.

But the real matchup is just ahead of Llories where France have one of the best fullback pairings at the World Cup but have suffered in the center recently. In Gallas and Abidal, they have two high-quality defenders, but two who’ve seen their share of injuries this season – Gallas hasn’t played a competitive game in months. Next they’ll get to see their share of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, one of the best strike pairings in South Africa, who will exploit any space they’re afforded, or any needles Walter Gargano feels like threading. There are shades of a circumstantial mismatch here, made worse if Gallas fancies the opposition box as he’s apt to do.

OUR PREDICTION

The opening game of 2002 keeps knocking on the door, asking to come in, and we say let’s embrace her (blindly, too): France will shock the world again…by winning 3-1. Uruguay have yet to enjoy the friendly African soil, last playing May 26th in Montevideo, and though France were Jabulanied by China, it’s still some degree of match fitness. The game will be ugly and muddled in the first half, but France will take advantage of set pieces and get a late third to hammer the predictably rusty nail into the Uruguayan coffin.

[Bonus prediction: 'Jabulanied' lands in Merriam-Webster by 2011.]

World Cup 2010 begins this afternoon

The scale of the last-minute preparations would hardly convince the sceptics they have been wrong to suspect this World Cup might not run entirely smoothly. For the hosts, though, it is simply renewed evidence of their determination to do Africa proud during the next 31 days.

No fewer than 50 of the continent’s heads of state are due in Soccer City this afternoon when the South Africans and Mexicans take the field for the opening game.

A few will be eager to see their own national teams eclipse the locals in terms of matches won and rounds reached but all will be hoping a successful tournament can make a major point on behalf of the region as a whole.

For the two key figures involved in South Africa’s successful bid, Danny Jordaan and Nelson Mandela, the event will be the culmination of almost a quarter century of work.

As far back as 1987, Jordaan was leading delegations from the old South African Soccer Federation to meetings abroad with ANC officials where the idea of using football to progress the cause of democracy was high on the agenda.

Mandela knew well the potential of the game to help reshape the political landscape and after minority rule was ended neither man seems to have paused for long before shifting their ambitions upwards.

The country controversially missed out on hosting 2006 by just one vote but might feel now it was not an entirely bad thing that New Zealand’s Charles Dempsey decided to abstain in the last round of voting back in 2000 after having consistently voted for the South Africans through the earlier stages of the process.

Four years later they were ready and when the decision came down to a choice between Morocco and South Africa, Mandela’s towering presence made it seem like a one-horse race.

Now 91, he is old and frail but perhaps the most celebrated news in these parts this week was the announcement he too intends to make an appearance at today’s game, even if he is highly unlikely to stay for much more than the opening ceremony and kick-off.

If Africa is hoping the tournament goes well, then those involved with the tournament are desperate to see the locals prosper over the next few weeks.

Sadly, the team cannot remotely be considered as contenders but their recent improvement under returned manager Carlos Alberto Parreira has at least suggested they have a reasonable chance of avoiding the ignominy of becoming the first host nation to fail to make it beyond the opening round of games.

They are, of course, fortunate to find themselves in what is probably the entire competition’s most open and unpredictable group.

Having waited so long for the opportunity to face the game’s major powers on their own soil, the strongest of the African sides all seem to have been hit by significant injuries, with the prospects of what looked to be the strongest African side, the Ivory Coast, hugely dependent on Didier Drogba’s ability to play despite a serious elbow problem.

The tournament also goes ahead without the continent’s most experienced operators in this sort of event, Cup of Nations Champions Egypt, who were narrowly beaten by Algeria for a place here last November and so it seems any African presence beyond the second round would be a pleasant surprise.

The widely held view is the title will go to one of two other continental champions, Spain or Brazil, with the Europeans the favourites with both the bookmakers and most pundits on the basis of their hugely impressive form in Euro 2008 and an almost flawless qualifying campaign for this event.

Certainly, Vicente Del Bosque will have an enviable array of talent to choose from and having shaken the title of serial underachievers two years ago, there will be no doubts about the mental capacity of the Spanish to deliver on the big occasions.

Brazil, though, have quite an allure about them too and with three of the back five that power Inter Milan to an outstanding treble this year, as well as an attacking unit based around Kaka and Luis Fabiano that consistently seems to come up with the goods, Dunga’s men may just have a fractional edge over their European rivals.

Outside of those two, there are perhaps half a dozen countries that can think seriously about securing the title, with the likes of Argentina, the Netherlands, Italy and England all potential champions in the event that things go their way. All, however, look vulnerable in one department or another over the course of such a testing event, whether it is through, for instance, the rather erratic nature of the coach (Argentina) or the chronic lack of remaining cover in key positions (England).

Whoever wins, there would seem to be a firm basis for expecting a memorable tournament over the coming weeks.

The referees will again be under pressure to provide protection to the more creative players and the weather will not be a problem for any of the leading sides.

The setting too promises to catch the eye with a series of impressive stadiums, many in wonderful surroundings, providing a great stage on which the drama can unfold.

Shaken by the horror of the attack on the Togolese in Angola at the start of the year, the African leaders who gather at Soccer City this afternoon know only too well they all stand to suffer a little when things go badly on their continent.

Between now and July 11th, though, they will be hoping to bask in the reflected glory of an outstanding festival of sport. Nothing is certain but if effort alone was enough then the hosts would be sure to deliver. As it is, Africa, not to mention the world, will be united in rooting for them.