FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: SOUTH AFRICA

The time we've all been waiting for is here!!! The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa begins tonight (Friday, 11th June 2010) when the tournament hosts take on Group A rivals Mexico in the magnificent surroundings of Soccer City.
(just saying it, just gives me the shivers!! brrrrr)

QUICK INFO:

Bare in mind that no host nation has ever lost their opening game in the world finals.And, even though this is new territory for the South Africans, the Mexicans have had the honour of opening up the competition on four previous occasions (1930, 1950, 1958 and 1970), although they failed to win any of those games.

THE MATCH:
South Africa-Mexico, Group A, Johannesburg, Friday 11 June, 16.00 (local time)

Did you know that The Bafana Bafana have never won a FIFA World Cup finals match and tonight, they are going into the game with the weight of a nation’s expectations on their shoulders. Hopes have been buoyed by an unbeaten run of 13 games under Carlos Parreira, including notable wins over Colombia and Denmark. Led by the in-form duo of Steven Pienaar and Katlego Mphela, the hosts have not looked stronger in recent years.

If their impressive 2-1 warm-up defeat of world champions Italy is anything to go by, the dynamic Mexicans are sure to provide the home favourites with a stern test. El Tricolor offer up a compelling blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela dovetailing to perfection with old hands such as Gerardo Torrado, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Rafael Marquez. On this form, they might just break their Opening Match hoodoo.

FAVOURITES:

Over the past year i have been a true England fan and never once that i have failed to root for them. England have appeared at 11 previous editions of the global showpiece, including their debut at Brazil 1950. Victory was their in 1966 on home soil, their best performance outside their own shores came under the late Sir Bobby Robson at Italy 1990, when a side featuring the likes of Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and David Platt reached the last four only to lose out on penalties to eventual winners West Germany.

This time around I think that they've put the record straight, to some extent. Since the manager arrived, there has been nothing but hard work and, it seems that their confidence has come on a million miles in the way the team is playing. Following the 5-1 home win over Croatia which sealed qualification for South Africa 2010,I'm really looking forward to watch the England midfielder Frank Lampard, to play.

ALTHOUGH, THIS YEAR I'M WAVING...
THE BRAZILIAN FLAG....woooohoooo!!!

There's so many reason why I'm switching teams this year and amongst them is that i hate keep losing bets over them. I mean, Ive always known in my heart that every time i root for another that goes against them, i'm going to lose. But somehow, i really really want them to slack of sometime and give the other team a chance. (Note: remember the 02 SEMIS : ENG vs BRAZIL? i was heartbroken!!)
But nope, not this year. I know that Brazil is if not the best, one of the best teams there is. Thus, with high hopes and cheer, I'm innit to winit.
Oh yeah, speaking of...
i found out that picking just a few names from a country so prolific at producing footballing talent is no easy task, though 2009 did underline the importance of certain key players. Starting between the sticks and we have keeper Julio Cesar, whose safe hands are a vital feature of A Seleção's miserly defence. The triumphant FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 campaign cemented Kaka's place as the man Brazil look to for inspiration, a fact reflected in him taking the adidas Golden ball. Meanwhile up front, Luis Fabiano proved himself a truly world-class finisher with five goals including a priceless brace in the 3-2 final win over the USA.

How.about.that.huh?

THE FIXTURES:

Group G
Match Date - Time
14 15/06 20:30 Brazil vs Korea DPR
29 20/06 20:30 Brazil vs Côte d'Ivoire
45 25/06 16:00 Portugal vs Brazil

Anyway, wishing all teams GOOD LUCK and I will see yall tonight (sort of) at 10pm for the kick off..
have a nice day!!!!!