World Cup Previews: Group A
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
As part of our build-up to the World Cup Finals 2010, Extratime will be previewing each group (one every morning and lunch time) in the competition and giving our predictions on how they will pan out.
Group A
No, we’re not bloody there but sadly, France should have an easy passage out of Group A – facing a likely meeting with Nigeria or Greece in the second round. Despite Domenech’s desperate decisions, France will have too much for Mexico, Uruguay and the hosts.
All of their problems have been well documented but World Cup’s are all about surprises and France could actually do well in South Africa.
This group is 5th in terms of the World Rankings – with Group E topping the pile – but, quite like the majority of groups, it will be the battle for second place which should capture the imagination. Mexico are the bookies favourites to progress along with France. And that will probably be how the group will pan out.
They finished second in the arduous CONCACAF qualification process, a point behind the USA, and despite the strange omission of Giovanni Dos Santos, they should have too much for South Africa and Uruguay.
Rafael Marquez has tasted success on many occasions and his experience in the heart of defence will prove invaluable for Javier Aguirre’s outfit.
Uruguay’s hopes will rest primarily on Diego Forlan, but he will need Diego Lugano and Diego Godin to be on their best form in defence if the South American’s are to have any chance of progressing. They failed to beat Argentina in their last game in qualifying, putting them into a play-off with Costa Rica.
They scraped past 2-1, so they are in far from top shape. Therefore, third place is probably their most likely finish.
South Africa may have the vocal Bafana Bafana behind them – vuzevela’s in tow – but on paper they are the weakest side in the group.
Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena would be the only familiar names in the squad – with the majority plying their trade in the South African league.
Although they had a solid Confederations Cup, the lack of a qualification campaign means that there is a degree of uncertainty, so we should expect very little but not get too surprised if they repeat the South Koreans feat in 2002. Although that would be highly unlikely!
Prediction:
France
Mexico
Uruguay
South Africa
Group A
No, we’re not bloody there but sadly, France should have an easy passage out of Group A – facing a likely meeting with Nigeria or Greece in the second round. Despite Domenech’s desperate decisions, France will have too much for Mexico, Uruguay and the hosts.
All of their problems have been well documented but World Cup’s are all about surprises and France could actually do well in South Africa.
This group is 5th in terms of the World Rankings – with Group E topping the pile – but, quite like the majority of groups, it will be the battle for second place which should capture the imagination. Mexico are the bookies favourites to progress along with France. And that will probably be how the group will pan out.
They finished second in the arduous CONCACAF qualification process, a point behind the USA, and despite the strange omission of Giovanni Dos Santos, they should have too much for South Africa and Uruguay.
Rafael Marquez has tasted success on many occasions and his experience in the heart of defence will prove invaluable for Javier Aguirre’s outfit.
Uruguay’s hopes will rest primarily on Diego Forlan, but he will need Diego Lugano and Diego Godin to be on their best form in defence if the South American’s are to have any chance of progressing. They failed to beat Argentina in their last game in qualifying, putting them into a play-off with Costa Rica.
They scraped past 2-1, so they are in far from top shape. Therefore, third place is probably their most likely finish.
South Africa may have the vocal Bafana Bafana behind them – vuzevela’s in tow – but on paper they are the weakest side in the group.
Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena would be the only familiar names in the squad – with the majority plying their trade in the South African league.
Although they had a solid Confederations Cup, the lack of a qualification campaign means that there is a degree of uncertainty, so we should expect very little but not get too surprised if they repeat the South Koreans feat in 2002. Although that would be highly unlikely!
Prediction:
France
Mexico
Uruguay
South Africa
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile