Greece vs Argentina
It’s hard to know which of these two sides will be happier given the way they performed in their last Group B outings. Greece stunned Nigeria, coming from a goal behind to claim a vital victory, this after many had written off their chances. Diego Maradona’s Argentina, for their part, were breathtaking at times in their 4-1 demolition of Korea Republic. The South Americans look odds-on to qualify as group winners, but the race for second place is wide open, with Otto Rehhagel’s side hoping to pip Korea Republic to the prize.
Will Greece be able to subdue an Argentina side that has scored five goals in their opening two games?
The match
Greece-Argentina, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, Tuesday 22 June, 20.30 (local time)
It has been a near-perfect start for Argentina, who have taken the maximum six points from their opening two games, conceding just once in the process. The South Americans were guilty of one lapse in concentration against the South Koreans, but Diego Maradona’s side remain arguably the most eye-catching side at South Africa 2010, thanks to their free-flowing attacking style. To the delight of purists, Lionel Messi has been in inspirational form so far, and while Gonzalo Higuain may top the scoring charts, it is the little Barcelona playmaker leading the way when it comes to testing opponent’s defences, with 15 shots already to his name.
Greece have not enjoyed as flawless a start, but their unexpected defeat of Nigeria in Bloemfontein last Thursday has put them firmly in the fight for second place. Prior to that, the 2004 European champions had never scored a FIFA World Cup goal, let alone won a match at the tournament, so coach Rehhagel will barely need to deliver a team-talk in Polokwane. To that end, the Southern Europeans will look to keep it simple against the two-time world champions. Greek scorer Torosidis declared after the win against Nigeria: “I don’t care what happens now. I’m just delighted for the team, and for the fans who never stopped believing in us.” And that release of pressure could prove to be their most dangerous weapon.
Players to watch
Gonzalo Higuain v Georgios Samaras
Gonzalo Higuain is riding high, having claimed the first hat-trick of the tournament, and the first FIFA World Cup treble in eight years, against Korea Republic. It was a display that earned him the Budweiser Man of the Match Award, so the Real Madrid star heads into this game brimming with confidence and doubtless with one eye already on the adidas Golden Boot. His eight shots on target so far dwarfs the two of Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, who is yet to get off the mark in South Africa 2010. However, Samaras made a significant impact after coming off the bench against the Super Eagles, stretching the Africans’ defence with his pace and powerful running and causing problems in the air. The Celtic striker will now look to join team-mates Dimitrios Salpingidis and Vasileios Torosidis in the goalscoring charts by finding the net against Argentina.
The stat
404 – the number of minutes Greece had gone without a FIFA World Cup goal before Dimitrios Salpingidis’s 44th-minute strike against Nigeria.
What they said
Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach:
Argentina are world-class, they’re clearly better than us. We still have a chance, but it’ll be very hard. We’re the underdogs against Argentina, that’s for sure, but we’ll give it our best shot. For now, we’ll just enjoy the fact we’ve beaten Nigeria.
Carlos Tevez, Argentina forward:
Argentina are a team who go forward. We have good players, attacking players. We must go out on the attack and show our class. We must get forward and put our opponents under pressure.
The question
Will Greece be able to subdue an Argentina side that has scored five goals in their opening two games?
Nigeria vs Korea Republic
Nigeria and Korea Republic lock horns for the first time at the FIFA World Cup™ in an encounter which may determine the runners-up slot in Group B. The South Koreans have prior experience against African opposition at the finals, having prevailed 2-1 against Togo in the first round at Germany 2006. For the Nigerians, however, this will be the first time they face an Asian side at the global showpiece.
The question Can Nigeria end their luckless run in the FIFA World Cup by bouncing back with a win that keeps them in contention? Will Korea Republic let slip their chance to make the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history?
The match
Nigeria-Korea Republic, Group B, Durban, 20.30 (local time)
Huh Jung-Moo’s men enter the game with three points to their name, having defeated Greece 2-0 before going down 4-1 to Argentina. By contrast the west Africans are still pointless having succumbed to Argentina (0-1) and Greece (1-2). There is undoubtedly less pressure on Korea Republic, whose progress will be assured provided they pick up a point and Greece fail to beat Argentina. However, should Greece manage to beat Diego Maradona’s side, the Taeguk Warriors would require a victory by at least the same margin. The Super Eagles, meanwhile, have no choice but to win, and hope for an Albiceleste victory against Otto Rehhagel’s men in order to remain in the competition.
The two sides share a common weakness, namely their tendency to commit defensive errors. On the upside, the east Asians can count on their lightning speed and a talismanic captain in the shape of Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, as well as defensive rock Lee Jung-Soo and midfield orchestrator Kim Jung-Woo. The two-time African champions hold the upper hand in terms of physical power and will again look to marauding midfielder Kalu Uche and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, both of whom have caught the eye in their previous matches. It all makes for a fascinating tussle between two sides with very distinct footballing philosophies.
Players to watch
Park Ji-Sung v Vincent Enyeama
The South Koreans’ last two encounters only served to enhance the standing of skipper Park Ji-Sung, in spite of that loss to Argentina. Fleet of foot and always in the right position, the hard-running midfielder showcased the full extent of his talent with a fine solo goal in the victory over Greece. Against Nigeria, the 29-year-old Manchester United player will have the arduous task of outsmarting one of the stand-out keepers of the tournament so far, namely Enyeama. Despite Nigeria’s two disappointing results, the Hapoel Tel-Aviv stopper has pulled off some stunning saves which demonstrated his incredible agility and reflexes to the full.
The stat
7 – The number of consecutive matches Nigeria have played without a win in the FIFA World Cup. Their last success, a 1-0 triumph over Bulgaria in France 1998, was followed by a 3-1 reverse against Paraguay and a 4-1 drubbing by Denmark in the same campaign. During the 2002 event the Super Eagles suffered two further defeats, 1-0 to Argentina and 2-1 to Sweden in 2002, before labouring to a 0-0 stalemate with England.
What they said
Joseph Yobo, Nigeria captain:
It’ll be very hard now. We’ve lost both matches and it looks like we won’t make it to the next round, even if we beat the South Koreans. We’re basically out of the tournament.
Park Ji-Sung, Korea Republic midfielder:
We have a lot of players on European teams who have accumulated experience playing with and against African players. They tend to be very flexible, strong and speedy, in very good physical condition.
The question
Can Nigeria end their luckless run in the FIFA World Cup by bouncing back with a win that keeps them in contention? Will Korea Republic let slip their chance to make the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history?
France vs South Africa
With just a single point each after their opening two games, France and South Africa meet on Tuesday 22 June in the FIFA World Cup™ equivalent of a last throw of the dice. Although their respective hopes of qualifying for the Round of 16 appear slim, the fact remains that a victory for either Uruguay or Mexico in the other match in Group A would significantly boost the duo’s prospects of progressing.
Can France qualify for the Round of 16? Will South Africa become the first host nation to be knocked out at the group stage?
First and foremost, however, there is a question of pride. As tournament hosts, the South African players would love nothing more than to provide their adoring fans with a home victory, while the French are desperate for three points to avoid making a bad situation even worse than it already is.
The match
France-South Africa, Group A, Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16.00 (Local time)
After witnessing their goalless draw with Uruguay and 2-0 loss to Mexico, many observers felt that France looked like a side bereft of ideas. Be it in warm-up matches or in competitive encounters on South African soil, Raymond Domenech has continued to make all manner of tactical changes, all to no avail. In what could be his curtain call as national coach, he may well favour simply revitalising the team rather than making further adjustment’s to Les Bleus’ formation. It would be no surprise then to see certain players more accustomed to sitting on the bench up to this juncture lining up to sing La Marseillaise in Bloemfontein.
In the opposing camp, the South Africans “want to exit the competition head held high,” according to coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. While their performance against Mexico in the opening match was commendable, the same could not be said of their subsequent 3-0 defeat to La Celeste. It is that result which will force the hosts to pounce on any chances that come their way against France, if they are to have any realistic chances of getting out of the group. Reinforcements in attack therefore look likely.
Players to watch
Moneeb Josephs v Hugo Lloris
The pressure is sure to weigh heavily on the shoulders of two players in particular on Tuesday afternoon. The services of Moneeb Josephs and Hugo Lloris, goalkeepers of South Africa and France respectively, will no doubt be called upon numerous times in a match where both teams have nothing to lose. The Bafana Bafana back-up keeper, brought in for Itumeleng Khune following his red card against Uruguay, could be in for a long 90 minutes. As for Lloris, he is in the privileged position of being one of the few French players to have maintained his pre-tournament form. He will need to be at the top of his game to avoid reopening a long-running debate over whether he or Marseille’s Steve Mandanda should be considered France’s undisputed No 1.
The stat
2 – The number of times that France have found themselves in the same FIFA World Cup group as Uruguay, Mexico and the host country. In 1966, the French were found wanting against those opponents in the group stage of the competition, failing to qualify for the next round. Does the same fate await them this time around?
What they said
Raymond Domenech, France coach:
We’re focusing on the idea of winning the match, first and foremost. Scoring goals and hoping that the other result goes our way will follow on from that. The most important thing is to keep reminding ourselves that there’s still a chance.
Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa coach:
I always said that it would all come down to the final match. I don’t think we can hope to defend, wait for a mistake and hit them on the counter-attack. If we are serious about wanting to make it to the next round, we’ll need to take some risks.
The question
Can France qualify for the Round of 16? Will South Africa become the first host nation to be knocked out at the group stage?
Mexico vs Uruguay
Group A joint-leaders Uruguay and Mexico meet in Rustenburg in an encounter they hope will not only book their place in the knockout stages, but will also give them a better chance of going even further in the competition. Both countries need only a draw to qualify, but in that case the Uruguayans would end up as group winners and Javier Aguirre’s men would in all probability face in-form Argentina, a Round of 16 clash they will surely want to avoid at all costs.
Who will manage to avoid a likely encounter with Diego Maradona’s Argentina by topping group A?
The match
Uruguay-Mexico, Group A, Rustenburg, Tuesday 22 June, 16:00 (local time)
After easily seeing off the challenge of hosts South Africa, Oscar Tabarez’s men come into their final group game in good spirits. The comfortable 3-0 victory over Bafana Bafana saw the South Americans grow in confidence as the match went on, something that was missing in their first game against France.
Mexico used their game against the 1998 champions to find real form. Quick and direct in attack, El Tri showed just how dangerous they can be going forward, but the Uruguayans’ solid defensive unit will provide tough opposition here.
Players to watch
Diego Forlan v Rafael Marquez
Uruguay’s star striker and Mexico’s defensive linchpin are old rivals and have pitted their wits against each other at club level on a number of occasions. Marquez signed for Catalan giants Barcelona in 2003, while Forlan arrived in Spain a year later, making his name first with Villarreal, where he spent three successful years before moving to Atletico Madrid. Both men have been in excellent form in the tournament so far. Forlan has been named Man of the Match in both of Los Charruas’ games, while Mexican captain Marquez has played a pivotal role in front of the back four whilst also weighing in with a goal.
The stat
1 – Both countries need just a single point from the game to book their place in the last 16.
What they said
Sebastian Abreu, Uruguay forward:
I like Mexico. I like their intensity. They are similar to us in that they have know how to make well-drilled tactical changes. They have a lot of pace, they are clever, they have intelligent players, they are good in the air and they can surprise you. All that said, in all modesty I still think that we have what it takes to give them a good game.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Mexico forward:
Mexico won’t play for a draw. I love winning and so do my team-mates because that’s our mentality. I’m not really interested in whether Uruguay, France or South Africa qualify. I want to win this game, no two ways about it.
The question
Who will manage to avoid a likely encounter with Diego Maradona’s Argentina by topping group A?
Spain 2-0 Honduras
Spain got their FIFA World Cup™ campaign back on track with a win against Honduras that was far more comprehensive than the 2-0 scoreline indicated. The Central Americans were the unlucky victims as the European champions returned to the kind of form which placed them among the pre-tournament favourites, David Villa claiming the Budweiser Man of the Match award for his two-goal haul.
Villa gets Spain back on track
Spain’s victory lifted them alongside Switzerland with a win apiece, though still three points off Group H pacesetters Chile, their final opponents on Friday. Honduras, meanwhile, now need to win their last match against Switzerland, and hope Chile do them a favour against Spain, to have any hope of progressing.
Injury to Andres Iniesta saw Spain coach Vicente del Bosque reshuffle his pack with Fernando Torres brought into the line-up to join Villa in attack. Sevilla’s right-sided flanker Jesus Navas was also given a place in the starting XI with David Silva omitted. It was no surprise to see Spain, undoubtedly stung by their opening loss to Switzerland, start in an attacking mode. Villa rattled the crossbar after just six minutes with an effort from 25 metres, while Sergio Ramos was unable to get downward force on a free header at the back post just minutes later.
Spain caused constant problems on both flanks with Villa operating on the left and Navas on the right. Villa appeared to be in supremely confident mood and it was no surprise to see Barcelona’s recent signing open the scoring with what is set to be one of the individual goals of the tournament. Cutting in from the left, Villa dissected a path through two defenders when there appeared to be none, before rounding a third attempt at a tackle and unleashing a shot into the roof of the net.
On the half-hour mark, Torres had two good openings within the space of 60 seconds as Spain upped the ante further still. The Liverpool man, perhaps still showing signs of rustiness after his return from injury last month, guided a header into the ground and over the crossbar, before then skying his shot after a dribble into the penalty area. Honduras rarely threatened in the opening period, winning their first corner only in the final minute of the half. Honduran speed-merchant David Suazo received scant service up front as La Roja dominated midfield possession.
The second half started disastrously for the Hondurans with Villa doubling the advantage just six minutes after the restart, his shot from 20 metres taking a wicked deflection off the knee of Osman Chavez and looping over the outstretched hand of stranded goalkeeper Noel Valladares. Just past the hour, Emilio Izaguirre’s foul on Navas in the penalty area gave Villa a golden opportunity to record a hat-trick but he pushed his spot-kick wide and in the process became the first Spain player to miss a penalty at the FIFA World Cup.
Nevertheless, Spain appeared certain to kill off the game with a third goal, only to be guilty at times of overplaying the passing movement when presented with a shooting opportunity. Substitute Cesc Fabregas appeared certain to score with his first involvement but, after springing the offside trap and rounding Valladares, the Arsenal skipper saw his shot impressively cleared off the line by a retreating Chavez. Honduras found some joy in attack in the final stages with Suazo firing wide and half-time substitute Georgie Welcome guiding a header the wrong side of the post. Yet Spain were still the team pushing hard until the final whistle with only some determined defending and their own profligacy ensuring the scoreline remained unchanged.
Chile 1-0 Switzerland
Despite having a man advantage for an hour of the Group H contest in Nelson Mandela Bay, Chile struggled to break down a record-setting Switzerland defence but ultimately won 1-0 through a winner from Mark Gonzalez.
Gonzalez downs brave Swiss
The South Africa-born player headed in Esteban Paredes’s cross in the 75th minute to break the Swiss back-line for the first time in over 550 minutes of FIFA World Cup™ football, a record they had claimed just minutes before. Chile now sit atop the table with six points from two wins, while Switzerland remain on three points after failing to build on their upset of Spain in their opener.
The attack-minded Chileans were always going to be more adventurous, and they had the large majority of the chances after Valon Behrami became the first Swiss player to be sent off in a FIFA World Cup match in the 31st minute. The South Americans had showed their attacking intent from the off, testing the Swiss goalkeeper twice in the tenth minute with swerving long-range efforts. Arturo Vidal cut in from the left and Diego Benaglio could only punch the ball as far as Carlos Carmona at the edge of the area who also tried his luck. Shortly after, the opposite No1, Claudio Bravo, had to be smart coming off his line to clear in front of Blaise Nkufo after a light back-pass.
The match then turned decisively as West Ham United player Behrami swung his arm into the face of Vidal while trying to hold off the Chilean along the sideline. Stunned by the straight red card, the Swiss retreated into their own third and, as against Spain, showed themselves well capable at bending without breaking. However, the quick South Americans showed themselves equally good at exploiting spaces. However, they were let down by their final ball or, in the case of Alexis Sanchez in the 40th minute, mediocre finishing after he had done well to chest the ball down in the box.
Chile made two changes at half-time to make their man advantage count, and they seemed to have opened the scoring within minutes of the restart, but Sanchez’s long shot deflected off an offside player before beating the goalkeeper and was disallowed. Sanchez had another chance in the 55th minute after closing down defender Stephane Grichting well and running on to the deflected ball. But Benaglio again came out on top, getting down well to block the point-blank shot.
As the Swiss eclipsed Italy’s record of scoreless minutes in the finals, it began to look more and more like Chile would come up frustrated on the night. But Paredes finally created the chance they needed with a diagonal run behind a for-once flat Swiss defence. His cross to the back post was met by the head of Gonzalez, who nodded down to beat defender Stephan Lichtsteiner on the line with Benaglio drawn out of his goal.
As Switzerland began to push forward for the first time in the match, Paredes should have put the contest out of reach twice in the final minutes, first blazing over and then wide with left-footed efforts. He was almost made to rue his wastefulness when Eren Derdiyok missed an exposed Chilean goal after a clever back-heel from Albert Bunjaku left him in space eight yards out.
Chile will try to confirm their place in the next round against Spain on Friday in Pretoria, while Switzerland face Honduras at the same time in Bloemfontein.
Portugal 7-0 Korea DPR
Portugal turned on the style to thrash Korea DPR 7-0 at Green Point Stadium and take a huge step towards a place in the Round of 16.
Portugal notch magnificent seven
Only a Raul Meireles goal divided the teams after a closely contested first half but it was a different story after the restart when Portugal devastated the North Korean defence with three goals inside eight minutes before the hour from Simao, Hugo Almeida and Tiago. With the clock ticking down, Liedson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago again compounded their opponents’ woes to produce Portugal’s biggest FIFA World Cup™ victory and the widest winning margin so far in South Africa.
There were few parallels to draw with the teams’ previous meeting on the world stage, their 1966 quarter-final in England when Eusebio – watching from the stands in Cape Town – so famously struck four goals as Portugal retrieved a three-goal deficit. There will be no repeat run from the North Koreans this time, their second defeat in Group G confirming their elimination. Portugal, by contrast, sit second in the section, with a three-point advantage over Côte d’Ivoire – and overwhelming gulf in goal difference – ahead of their final game against Brazil.
Carlos Queiroz’s men made a positive start with defender Ricardo Carvalho nodding Simao’s corner against the far post after seven minutes. As against Brazil in their opening 2-1 defeat, Korea DPR looked in no way overawed, however. With the rain teeming down, the Koreans pieced together a slick move on the fast surface that almost let in Jong Tae-Se only for the No9 to fail to control the through-ball. Otherwise, when they had the chance to shoot, they took it. Cha Jong-Hyok speared an effort just wide from distance, then Hong Yong-Jo arrowed in a shot from the right that Eduardo parried, Pak Nam-Chol failing to keep his header down on the follow-up.
Indeed Portugal coach Queiroz might have been forgiven a short sigh of relief when midfielder Meireles gave his side the lead in the 29th minute, timing his run into the North Korean box perfectly to meet Tiago’s pass and drive the ball low past Ri Myong-Guk. A goal to the good, Portugal ended the half on top. Meireles sliced a shot wide before Fabio Coentrao teed up Hugo Almeida with a low centre but the big striker’s attempted flick failed to come off.
Portugal did not have to wait long to double their advantage after the restart. Korea DPR custodian Ri Myong-Guk had already tipped over Tiago’s shot when Simao made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. There was some impressive build-up play as Almeida backheeled to Meireles who played in Simao to slide the ball past Ri Myong-Guk. Within three minutes it was 3-0, Tiago sending Coentrao down the left and the full-back crossing for Almeida to nod past the goalkeeper. Portugal were now tearing them apart and by the hour they had their fourth goal, Tiago finding the net from Ronaldo’s lay-off.
Meireles and Coentrao missed chances to underline their dominance, before Ronaldo rattled the crossbar with a spectacular strike. Yet in a late flurry, Portugal forced open the floodgates once more. Ri Kwang-Chon’s mistake let in substitute Liedson to smash a shot high into the net. Ronaldo then opened his account after Liedson took advantage of some sloppy play in the Korean defence to play in the Real Madrid star – trying to pass the goalkeeper on the edge of the box, the ball bounced up off Ri Myong-Guk and on to Ronaldo’s back before dropping from his head to his foot for an easy finish. Tiago’s header one minute from time completed a magnificent seven.
Just another Madridista
Hala Madrid 
Junta speak