World Cup Preview - Group A

South Africa

Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Anele Ngcongoa (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Strikers: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente)

In post-war world cup a Host nation has never failed to qualify from the group stages, so home advantage will be a boost for them, but lets be honest, If they weren't the hosts I highly doubt they would be in the tournament. The Bafana Bafans failed to quality for this years African Cup of Nations, and despite finishing 4th last year in the Confederations cup, the fact that they only managed to beat New Zealand (a goal-less draw with Iraq being their only other "highlight") despite being backed by a buoyant crowd shows they are going to struggle.

However its not all doom and gloom, South Africa are undefeated in their last 11 matches,  and have won 4 of the last 5 games they have played, so are in a winning habit, however those wins have came against Guatemala, Colombia, Thailand and Jamaica

Key Player

Steven Pienaar - Everton's midfield schemer deserves a better supporting cast. Coming into the tournament on the back of a fine season for Everton, Pienaar has been linked with a move to several champions league clubs, and a good tournament could see the toffees struggling to keep hold of him.

Highly rated as a youngster at Ajax, he seemingly lost his way before moving to Merseyside where he has began to fulfil his potential.

Mexico

Coach: Javier Aguirre

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Guadalajara), Oscar Perez (Jaguares).

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas), Giovani Dos Santos (Galatasaray)

Strikers:  Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Alberto Medina (Chivas), Javier Hernandez (Chivas)

My worry for Mexico is simply the amount of warm-up games they will have played. When they kick off the tournament against South africa on June 11th it will be their 9th Game since May 7th, having faced  Ecuador, Senegal, Angola, Chile, England, Holland, Gambia and Italy as they prepare from the tournament. Out of the 6 already played they have won 4, with just 2 defeats coming to England and Holland.

Against England, I was impressed with the speed at which they broke, and when playing one or two touch football attacking at pace they looked very dangerous. However they seemed to struggle a bit when England had men behind the ball. When given time and space they seemed to try and force things a bit too much and it led to mistakes.

Mexico's camp could be on the verge of disarray with Giovanni dos Santos threatening to quit the squad due to the omission of his brother Jonathan.

Key Player

Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Despite being 37, blanco remains the darling of the mexican crowd, as was proven by the reception their fans gave him at Wembley.

Blanco is best known for his "Blanco trick" which he unveiled to the world during France 98. In the trick, when two or more opposition players are trying to take the ball from him, he traps the ball between his feet and jumps through them releasing it in the air and landing it under control as he leaves them behind. 

With a ratio of a goal every 3 games for his country, Blanco will be looking to go out with a flourish for the Central Americans, and despite Mexico having 8 players who can play up front in their squad, Blanco's experience could be crucial for them.

 

Uruguay

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)

Midfielders: Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Diego Perez (AS Monaco), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol), Ignacio Gonzalez (Levadiakos)

Strikers: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield)

In stark contrast to Mexico, Uruguay have only played one friendly before they start the World Cup, a 4-1 home win over Israel. The (other) Sky Blues will be resting their hopes on the twin strike force of Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez of Ajax. Both players come in the tournament on the back of superb seasons. Forlan scoring 25 goals in 50 games for Atleico and Suarez bagging an incredible 41 goals in just 42 games for Ajax.

If these two can continue their prolific form do not be suprised to see Uruguay top the group.

Key Player

Luis Suarez - I've already mentioned his goalscoring prowess, but Suarez also weighed in with 17 assists this season for the Dutch club.

Ajax appear to be struggling financially, so may struggle to keep hold of him if a big club come knocking. A good tournament will see his price-tag ride.

France

Coach: Raymond Domenech

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux)

Defenders: William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

The less said about how the French qualified for the World cup the better.

The French public are not happy with Domenech leading them into the tournament, and the manager must deliver to win them over, however the results in the warm-up games have hardly been convincing. A 2-1 win over Costa Rica was hard-earned after falling behind early on, and was followed by a 1all draw with Tunisia, once again having fallen behind early on, which appears to be a worrying trend.

That said I still expect the French to go through, any side with the attacking talents of Anelka, Henry, Ribery and Malouda should have enough for this group. However I wouldnt bank on them going much further, and that would surely be the end of Domenechs reign.

Key Player

Florent Malouda - Has emerged from the shadows at Chelsea this season after many had written him off as an expensive flop. A great end to the season saw Malouda play a vital role in Chelsea's success, scoring and setting-up key goals for the blues.

Group A Prediction

1. Uruguay

2. France

3. Mexico

4. South Africa