Who will win World Cup 2010 Group A France or Uruguay
With the World Cup being very competitive, it has the potential to be unpredictable. In Group A, composed of South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France, one can expect some very exciting matches to happen.
South Africa: a weak host?
The host country has a lot of pressure and expectations. The Bafana Bafana are not in great form. They did not even qualify for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola and seem one of the tournament's weakest teams. They have tallied defeat after defeat in recent friendly games and this does not add any optimism to Steven Piennar and his team mates. To show South Africa's problems is how they handled their coaching situation. In January 2007, the South African soccer federation hired Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. In April of 2008, he was fired but his replacement, Joel Santana, was so bad that they took him 6 months later: a total lack of management.
A factor that will play in favour of South Africa is that they play at home. Their fans might inspire their team and put fear in their adversaries with an overwhelming support. The host team has usually a generous refereeing and we cannot forget South Korea's treatment in the 2002 World Cup.
Mexico
One team that is difficult to assess its current form is Mexico. Their qualification campaign was the least to say complicated. They first had Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager and Mexico's went through a bad streak of defeats and were outplayed, a situation Mexico is not used. After losing to the USA, Jamaica and even a tie to an average Canadian team, the Mexican soccer federation made the change and fired Sven to hire back Javier Aguirre. Aguirre is the nation's saviour and led the team to a streak of victories, the Mexican way. Led by an aging but experienced Rafael Marquez, this team will be more complicated to play against.
Uruguay:
Uruguay barely qualified to the 2010 World Cup as they had to play a home and away playoff game against Costa Rica. Uruguay finished 5th in the South American qualifying zone, the Celeste does not seem dangerous and should not be feared. But, since the month of March, Uruguay has been playing some inspiring soccer that started with a 3-1 win over Switzerland. The Celeste had a strong defensive system that feeds the ball to a very potent attack. The Uruguayan team has one of the World's hottest strikers in Diego Forlan. The Atletico Madrid forward is having an excellent and symbolized that by scoring both goals in the Europa League final against Fulham that Atletico won 2-1. He will be able to score against anyone with a whole armada of weapons: heavy precise shot, smart positioning, excellent header game and good passer. Uruguay is a team to watch in this World Cup and can be a surprise.
France
2006 finalist, the French national team should be on the tournament's favourites. But since Zizou's infamous head butt in Berlin on a July evening, ''Les Bleus'' have been unable to produce any kind of fluidity in their game. Humiliated at Euro 2008 and qualified via a hand ball by Thierry Henry against Ireland, it would be a stretch to see France going all the way in South Africa. The team is average but the individual talent is scary: Ribery, Diarra, Anelka, Gourcuff, and Lloris. On paper, the team looks strong but instability and an enigmatic Raymond Domenech (coach) will not help the team. If Les Bleus are able to find unity and chemistry in time, they could be dangerous.
Prediction
I cannot imagine France not going through. Like in 2006, they should go through but with difficulty. I see Uruguay finishing first of the group and Mexico with South Africa fighting for the 3rd spot.
1. Uruguay
2. France
3. Mexico
4. South Africa
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