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Match Day 2


MrJibbles

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"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.The matchKorea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time)Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours the Asians, who ran out 1-0 friendly winners in February 2007, following a 1-1 draw in January 2006.Korea Republic were the only team to remain undefeated in Asian Zone qualifying, with seven victories and a draw, and as a result go into the tournament full of confidence despite losing each of their final warm-up matches 1-0, against Belarus and Spain. The Greeks, meanwhile, took the long road to South Africa. The 2004 European champions had to come through a tricky play-off tie with Ukraine to book their place at the finals.Players to watchJi-Sung Park vs Georgios KaragounisJi-Sung Park is the undisputed star of the Korea Republic team. Thanks to his exploits with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, the attacking all-rounder is an idol in his homeland and in 2008 became the first ever Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.The 29-year-old faces an intriguing midfield battle with Georgios Karagounis at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The Panathinaikos captain is hailed as the heartbeat of the Greece side and will be doing his best to break down the Koreans' attacking endeavours with another typically industrious display.The stat0 – Greece crashed out of their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1994 with zero points and zero goals. In the USA they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 2-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Bulgaria. They will now be hoping to put things right against the Albiceleste and the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010. What they said"Countries like South Korea have great team spirit and plenty of passion. We won't disappoint the Greek people. You feel as though you are among the best teams in the world, and that's no small thing." Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach"In our eyes, the match against Greece is the most important of the group stage. If we can win that, we'll have the opportunity to play differently against Argentina and Nigeria." Lee-Young-Pyo, Korea Republic defenderVoice of the fans"I can hardly wait to see who wins this game. The winner of this match will go through to the next round with Argentina." FIFA.com user jungho_hwang.The questionCan the Greeks score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal or even pick up a maiden victory in only their second appearance on the biggest stage of all?http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061459/preview.html
After 16 years, Diego Armando Maradona makes his return to the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. The Argentinian bowed out of world football’s showpiece in 1994 after Argentina's match against Nigeria, a team he now faces as head coach tomorrow in the opening match in Group B.The Africans, meanwhile, will be looking to avenge the defeat in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament 2008 in China, where La Albiceleste triumphed with a number of players who will be present in Johannesburg. They will be hopeful Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, one of the masterminds behind Argentina’s elimination from 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, will help them settle an old score.The MatchArgentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg, Saturday 12 June, 16:00 (local time)Having come through a difficult qualifying campaign, the Argentinians are ready to start afresh in South Africa and, for the third time in a row, an African side will provide their first test - in 2002, they edged out Nigeria in a 1-0 win, while in 2006 they were 2-1 victors against Côte d'Ivoire. Maradona has at his disposal two of the top goalscorers in Europe this season as they look to secure their third consecutive victory over an African side: Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, who amassed an astonishing 61 goals between them. Starting hopeful Carlos Tevez, for his part, notched up another 22 for Manchester City.The Super Eagles also struggled during the qualifying phase, although they will be hopeful head coach Lagerback can help them rediscover their rhythm. They will go into this game anxious to reverse the trend of their previous two FIFA World Cup encounters with the Argentinians, in 1994 and 2002, which saw La Albiceleste run out winners on both occasions. They will look to exploit their 'home' advantage, and also build on their recent 3-1 friendly victory over Korea DPR.Key duelGonzalo Higuain vs Vincent EnyeamaThe Argentinian scored 27 goals for Real Madrid in La Liga last season, and has reproduced the same clinical form for his country: he has found the net twice in four games and seems ready to add to that tally. "My dream is to be among the top scorers at the World Cup", Higuain said on his arrival in South Africa. To fulfil that dream he must first find a way past Vincent Enyeama, one of the few Nigerians to have kept his place in the Super Eagles' rearguard despite constant changes to their defensive formation. Enyeama, whose reflexes have earned him the nickname 'The Cat', already boasts FIFA World Cup experience, including a clean sheet against England in Korea/Japan 2002.The stat10 – The number of players that took part in the final of the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 who will come face to face again in Johannesburg: Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Dele Adeleye, Sani Kaita, Peter Odemwingie, Chinedu Ogbuke and Victor Obinna.What they said"Nigeria is a physically strong side capable of creating problems in attack. However, I think they are still a little disorganised in defence. That’s where we have to make the most of our potential," Diego Armando Maradona, Argentina coach."Messi is a good player and we respect him. We hope he respects us too. We’re not thinking about Messi, we’re thinking about playing Argentina, a good team," Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigeria forward.Voice of the fans"Great game in prospect. I reckon Argentina will win because their attacking style will push Nigeria back. That’s where the game will be won by Argentina, who I am supporting along with all the other South American teams." FIFA.com user AlanLeo-URUThe questionAre Nigeria strong enough to upset Argentina in their opening match?http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061460/preview.html
The opening game in Group C brings together two countries, England and USA, with a history of close relations and comradeship off the field but very little in the way of history on it. Except for one startling exception: the 1950 FIFA World Cup clash in Belo Horizonte which the Americans, seen as a 'ragtag' outfit back home, took a battering ram to convention and upset their fancied opponents 1-0. With Slovenia and Algeria also in the group at South Africa 2010, the Rustenburg game could be pivotal in the fight for qualifying places.The matchEngland-USA, Group C, Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace), Saturday 12 June, 20.30 (local time)Under their new coach Fabio Capello, England put together a near-perfect qualifying campaign, winning nine of their ten games and scoring 34 goals - six more than Spain, the next best - to top Europe's goal chart with Wayne Rooney joint second in the individual scoring roster.The US were also demonstrating efficiency, losing just twice in the final six-team Hexagonal phase of North, Central America and Caribbean Zone, finishing a point ahead of second-placed Mexico. A year ago their stock, and that of coach Bob Bradley, rose considerably with their performances at FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 where USA ousted favourites Spain in the semi-finals before going down to a narrow 3-2 final defeat to Brazil.England haven't impressed in the run-up to South Africa, beating Mexico none-too-convincingly and then only overcoming Japan via two own-goals. Capello, who lost skipper Rio Ferdinand for the entire tournament after sustaining a knee injury in their first training session in Rustenburg, was also unhappy with the first-half performance in a practice match against the Platinum Stars. He is likely to install Ledley King, who has his own fitness worries, alongside John Terry in the heart of the defence while Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips might earn surprise starting roles to augment Wayne Rooney's attacking thrust. The Americans have scored victories over Australia and Turkey but went down 4-2 to Turkey. They are likely to stick with the tried and trusted formula that saw them reach the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup with midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the coach, warning their opponents to expect a physical approach.Players to watchJozy Altidore vs John TerryAltidore has made giant strides with the national team, impressing in qualifying and becoming the youngest ever hat-trick hero in US history. He will prove a powerful opponent for Terry, England's former skipper, who's star has fallen during a difficult second half to last season. With his regular England partner, Ferdinand, absent, it will be down to Terry to keep the US heavy-hitters at bay.The stat3 - Half of USA's six wins in 25 FIFA World Cup encounters were achieved against European opposition. As well as that famous 1950 victory over England they also beat Belgium 3-0 in 1930 and Portugal 3-2 in 2002.What they said"The big difference is that we've got a fit Wayne Rooney in this squad. And the squad is quite experienced. Obviously we're missing Rio but this squad is balanced. I think this is a lot of guys' last chance, considering their age at this World Cup," Joe Cole, England midfielder."If we give up too many wide free-kicks and direct free-kicks, we will probably get punished for it. It's important we're solid in defence and not leave guys open one-on-one," Tim Howard, USA goalkeeper.Voice of the fans"Let's not forget the underdog in the World Cup 2002: USA 3-2 Portugal. Portugal were the semi-finalists in the Euro 2000. This match against the English squad could be a very good match or a blow out," FIFA.com user dmuma55.The questionEngland often carry a 'fancied' tag into a FIFA World Cup only to depart disappointingly on a penalty shoot-out. Will 2010 be the year when they finally make amends?http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061466/preview.html
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