After two years of qualification and a seemingly endless build up, the FIFA World Cup 2010 has finally arrived. A lot has been spoken about the teams and the games, a lot has been written, but now is the time when the only thing that matters is what happens out on the field.
There are two clear pre-tournament favorites representing opposing sides of the world. From Europe, Spain have the depth of talent and quality in every position that makes them a contender. In Fernando Torres they have possibly the most threatening striker in the world. Likewise, Brazil are always a threat in the World Cup. With their successful history and cavalier style of play they are a team that is always entertaining to watch and always capable of winning it all.
Tradition dictates that the host nation kick the tournament off and this year was no different. The atmosphere in Soccer City for the opening game was electric with noise emerging from all corners of the 95,000 capacity stadium. South Africa don't enter the tournament in the best of shape and while I expected them to compete with Mexico, especially with the fans intensely supporting their cause, it was by no means a certainty that they would emerge winners. Steven Pienaar is one of their best known talents who plays for Everton in the English Premier League. Aside from him and their esteemed coach, the Brazilian Carlos Albero Parreira the remainder of their squad are largely unknown. Qualification from the group stages for the host team will be more difficult given that their opponents in the group are France and Uruguay, both former winners of the tournament.
Mexico enter the tournament with a squad full of confidence having put together a good run of results this year. Their stiker and goalscorer in the opening game is Rafael Marquez, the Barcelona forward. But, in a similar way to South Africa, their lack of depth and talent will limit their chance of success considerably.
A draw in the opening game is a fair result to both teams, although South Africa might regret their chance to clinch the win in the last minute.
In the second game, neither France nor Uruguay impressed. The French have the individuals to be a very competitive team in the tournament, but they have consistently failed to play together as a team - especially during the qualifying campaign - and while unlikely, it isn't inconceivable that they will fail to progress out of the group stages. Among their problems are apparent disputes between players and if Thierry Henry, who is one of their best players, continues to start games on the subs bench, France will be the worse off for it. So, unlike South Africa, Mexico and even Uruguay, the French have the talent but lack the unity and spirit to play as a cohesive unit.
The second of the opening two games in contrast to the first featured two teams prepared to try and win the game, but lacking in terms of quality. Uruguay have a bunch of forwards - Luis Suarez and and Diego Forlan - who can cause a problem for any defense. But they are vulnerable at the back and while they have a fantastic history in this competition, you won't see Uruguay (or perhaps any of the Group A teams) lifting the trophy a month from now. |
