South Africa vs Mexico in World Cup 2010 Opener

South Africa meets Mexico in World Cup 2010 opener on 11/6/2009 16:00 in Johannesburg.

The battle will take place at Johannesburg, June 11, 2010 at 4pm on Soccer City. The 2010 Final Draw took place at the International Convention Centre of Cape Town. The 32 qualifying teams that will participate in the World Cup have been divided into eight groups and placed into four pots. Charlize Theron and Jerome Valcke FIFA Secretary General are hosted the event.

After finally knowing who will open the game, the one who will break the ice is South Africa vs. Mexico. They will be drawing the first blood in the 2010 Soccer world cup. You might think that Mexico sounds like a small country but take note that they hosted the world cup in 1986. If there is anyone who might know what the South Africa team is thinking of playing against right now, it might just be the Mexico team. This Mexican team is currently rated number 15 on the FIFA ratings on the other hand, South Africa is rated 86th. South Africa did not play to earn their place but got it because they are the host. They lost against Iceland as well which puts at doubt on everyone’s mind on how they will fare against a much stronger team like Mexico.

Maybe with a lot more of cheering in Bafana, they could win against Mexico but you should consider that Mexico earned their way to be where they are now. While South Africa, if they did not host the 2010 World Cup, could not even be in game line up. South Africa started playing only in 1998 and has never been in the second round before. So if you study the stats you will see that it might be harder for South Africa than it looks. Whatever result it will make, this will be an interesting game.

The last time Mexico hosted the world cup was in 1986 and this country might look small compared to its rival USA in terms of politics and other issues. Everyone should look out for their accomplishment and output in World Cup 2010. Mexico won their fifth Gold Cup in July 2009 and totaled eighth CONCACAF Championship overall. Mexico won against the United States 5–0 in the finals after about 10 years of not even winning a game against the United States. On the 10th of October, 2009 Mexico qualified for a spot to the 2010 FIFA World Cup after it defeated El Salvador 4-1 in Estadio Azteca.

Group A Analysis & Predictions ft Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay, & France (FIFA World Cup) Sports

France Still Open For Players

Raymond Domenech France coach gave a warning to his Les Bleus players that if they are not ready for training camp on 18 May they will not play on FIFA World Cup™.  Domenech will take his players to Tignes for the week-long camp after names of the provisional 23-man squad is released for the finals in South Africa. But since FIFA’s deadline for team announcements is not due until early June, there is still time for Domenech to change players.  He is firm not to bring any passengers as the French try to win back the crown they had last 1998. 

He made it clear that players not fit to play by 18 May will not join the World Cup.  He does not mind what matches they have played, only to be able to prepare and play.  The biggest question is Arsenal central defender William Gallas who pulled a calf muscle in the first leg of the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona on Wednesday night.  Domenech had an attitude that says, as long as a player performing, he will play and he has the right to pick up a player. In the first Euro 2008 qualifiers, he returned France to the top of the ELO rankings.

Weiss Now Coach of Slovakia

Vladimir Weiss speaks of his secret for success as Slovakia coach at the World Cup in South Africa, hard work, discipline and confidence.  When Weiss got the job in June 2008, Slovakia did not qualify for another major tournament, the European Championship in Switzerland and Austria.  At the time, Slovakia was ranked by FIFA as 67th and the future of the country’s foot ball looked bleak.  But the 45-year-old coach, who took part in the 1990 World Cup during his playing days with the former Czechoslovakia, proved to be a good choice. 

He made a major surprise in World Cup qualifying, when they eliminated Czech Republic and Poland.  He led his nation as the winner of its group to the final tournament in South Africa.  He boosted the players confidence by stressing that hard work is the key and with it the team could make it. And finally they succeeded.  His philosophy is that every player must be proud of its national jersey.  Weiss actually worn two of these because the former playmaker went on to represent Slovakia after Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993.  His career also included spells with both Czech and Slovak clubs, including Sparta Prague.

Ghana Can Make it to the Finals

After being a runner-up in last seasons Ghanaian Premier League,  Samuel Inkoom looks likely to make do with second spot in the race for the Swiss title.  But the confident defender feels undisturbed by BSC Young Boys’ six-point lead over Basel on top of the table.  Inkoom said it is hard to say what spot they are going to finish at the seasons end, but surely he believes in the team.  If they continue to work hard and take chance when it arises, they can win the league and be able to catch the dream of playing in the Champions League.

Taking into consideration Inkoom’s successful career, which he made in both the 2009 African Youth Championship and FIFA U-20 World Cup titles; you can easily see where this optimism comes from.  Now the Basel No22 is hoping to make a mark at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ as part of the Ghanaian senior national squad.  He is certain that they can go all out in South Africa.  They have the needed quality and great chance of winning the World Cup.  It will not be easy by any stretch, but we’re in it to win, he said with surprising self-assurance.

Ferguson Has Faith in The Squad

Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant that there is no sense for the loss of Rooney or a deflection of concentration ahead of such a big game like the World Cup.  United prefer to have their main man available, but loosing so many key players this season, it is an inconvenience to overcome.  Since Rooney is in dispose, you want all your best players available, Ferguson continued.  That is not the case for us this season but we have also struggled.  We stumbled but with a point ahead in the Premier League, in the quarter-final of the Champions League with an away goal advantage and we have won the League Cup, I am sure the players will not be upset.  The players are not worried whether Wayne Rooney is going to cost them. 

Ferguson will be using the experience on to his bench via either John O’Shea or Owen Hargreaves, who played against Chelsea in September 2008 after that he went under a major surgery on both knees.  A fit Hargreaves would represent a great help for a United side, who, thanks to the failings of Chelsea and Arsenal over the last few weeks, would be contented even with a draw.

South Africa Getting Ready for World Cup

South Africa is continuing to build-up for this summer’s tournament with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.  While South Americans, who missed several top European-based players, took the lead after 37 minutes through Marcelo Estigarribia, but Bafana Bafana hit back to equalize 19 minutes from time.  The result was a good improvement for South Africa coming against a team who also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and compared to the 1-1 draw played against Namibia on 3 March.  The likes of Brazil and Argentina have come and struggled, so we did well, said South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.  

Paraguay were in top most of the first half and took the lead after eight minutes before the break when Estigarribia had a clear lane to head home.  But after the break Carlos Alberto Parreira’s team moved into the game and they equalized when Tshabalala struck a left footer from 30 yards.  The South Africans went into the game after returning from an intensive three-week training camp in Brazil where they played seven matches against local clubs.  They will join another training camp in Germany in April before going back to South Africa in May to prepare for the FIFA World Cup opener versus Mexico on June 11 in Johannesburg.  Uruguay and France are the other two teams in the group with South Africa.

Rooney OK

Sir Alex Ferguson boss of Manchester United, told England’s fans that Wayne Rooney is ok.  Ferguson confirmed the England forward will not be playing between two and three weeks.  This is due to the minor ankle ligament injury he suffered Tuesday in Munich.  The earliest scenario for Rooney to be back in action is April 17 at Eastlands for the Manchester derby.  While the worst case for the 24-year-old would be racing against time for a Champions League semi-final with either Lyon or Bordeaux four days later, if the team will make it that far.

In any case, there will be no threat for Rooney’s participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.  This will be a relief, not just to Fabio Capello, but the nation’s football fans who believe that without their talisman, England should not even bother to go this summer in South Africa.  Ferguson said panic was the nation’s reaction.  There is no bone damage or serious ligament damage, so the nation can stop praying.  Ferguson is not intending on dwelling on the setback.  It is obvious that Rooney’s loss causes him a problem on Saturday’s clash with Chelsea. Yet, in making a single striker Ferguson got himself an instant replacement.

Life in South Africa After World Cup

The head of a Johannesburg-based organization Yvonne Themba advises South Africans to prepare after the World Cup.  FIFA and the sponsors will be gone and South Africans will do business when the stadiums are used for local sports and other events.  To manage the stadiums and infrastructures is a crucial step after the World Cup, Gillian Saunders said.  He was the one who tracked South Africa’s preparations and worked as a strategist for Grant Thornton South Africa and provided financial, risk analysis and other services.  The concerns now are some of the new stadiums in smaller cities that won’t be much use after the World Cup.  

Even Johannesburg might have a hard time to fill the 94,700 seats of Soccer City, which cost about $300 million, after hosting the World Cup final.  Other spending organizers say, it included about $90 million for helicopters, vehicles and equipment to help provide security during the tournament.  After the World Cup ends, the investment is expected to continue to benefit a country with one of the world’s highest crime rates.   It is true that crime is a concern but poverty is a greater problem for most South Africans. More than 40 percent of South Africans are living below the poverty line that is set by their government and one fourth of the work force is unemployed.

Revenue Returns on World Cup Delayed, South Africa

The grass on some of the fields wasn’t up to FIFA standards, but they were stripped and re-turfed when Chile chose this eastern South African hotel as its World Cup base.  Ingwenyama needed steam baths, sauna, whirlpool, brighter light bulbs, better fencing, sophisticated TVs and spare wardrobes for the players’ rooms.  Henk Bredenoord the general manager of the nationwide Status Hotels chain to which Ingwenyama belongs, estimated the cost of the upgrade would amount to 7 million or just under $1 million, and said the Chileans were paying 4 million and for their stay.  But instead of a seeing it as a disadvantage, Bredenoord looks at it as an opportunity. 

He said that they will stand better as a resort and compete better in the marketplace, he said in an interview in the lobby, adding that bragging about hosting a World Cup team will not hurt.  It should be remembered that it involves long-term vision. He calls the World Cup a catalyst for growth.  He could well be speaking for all of South Africa.  The government and private entrepreneurs spent millions to renovate airports and road buildings, bus and rail systems, hotels and stadiums for the tournament.  If you look at in short-term, it is a money-losing proposition, but it will pay off in the future for South Africans.

Zimbabwe’s Target for World Cup

Zimbabwe could generate about US$200 million coming from tourism during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup in South Africa.  This was disclosed by Walter Mzembi Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister.  This was a respond to a candid question in the House of Assembly from legislator Fani Munengami on what will be the benefits of Zimbabwe from the tournament.  The minister said the country was expecting to host more tourists than its neighbors due to its viable attractions.  “Our country is aiming at hosting about 130 000 visitors visiting various attractions the country offers.  As a government, we are doing everything possible in our power to host these people. 

 In comparison, the country compares favorably to other neighboring countries that are considered to be fine tourist destinations.  Mzembi said that they want international arrivals to have the opportunity share the different heritage sites and be treated by their country’s hospitality sector.  He wants to correct reports that Zimbabwe was not hosting any active teams during the tournament.  To date, there is already one country that confirmed camping in this destination for a week.  It is understood that 10 days before the commencement of the games, any world nation is free to attract visitors for camping and training.