Group A Matches at World Cup 2010

Group A TV Schedules at World Cup 2010

Group A World Cup Profile

South Africa, France, Mexico, and Uruguay compose a table where there are actually no hot favorites and no defined underdogs. Still, they can be separated in sections.

Group A – the favorites at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

It’s only after some kind of debates and arguments maybe that one can really have a final choice over which teams in Group A should have the honor of being called “favorites”. LivesoccerTV.com chose France and Mexico ahead of the World Cup's first time winners Uruguay and this summer's hosts South Africa.

France

The 1998 World Cup champions and 2006 runners-up will have the opportunity to reach three finals in four consecutive World Cup appearances. But other teams will surely try and make it hard for Les Bleus to accomplish this achievement. No Zinedine Zidane for the first time since the year 1998; the French legend is now a retired player. It will be time for skipper Henry, goalkeeper Lloris, and the rest of the guys to work hard and raise France’s tricolor flag high. Their aim at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will not only be to recover the wounds from which they suffered after losing out to Italy in the 2006 final; also, Les Bleus will want to prove to the French population that they can come together as a team, that they fully deserve their place in South Africa (despite acquiring it controversially), and that they are capable of bringing back France’s glorious days which lifted their standard on the world's stage.

Mexico

El Tri can be considered as favorites to progress from Group A. This is not because of their previous World Cup records but mainly because of their recent performances, results, and achievements. They are the new champions of the CONCACAF region, having dethroned 2009 Confederations Cup participants, the USA. With coach Javier Aguirre, the Mexican team has learnt how to play fearlessly.

The mixture of young and veteran players in the squad has given a new sense of relief and hope for the future. Carlos Vela, Giovanni Dos Santos, Rafael Marquez... These are names that are all expected to make the difference for El Tri and contribute in the team's progress at the 2010 World Cup. In fact, don’t expect Mexico to play without the ambitious wild desire of winning. El Tri will certainly try to shock their opponents and the whole of the world.

South Africa

Favorites? Not really. Perhaps, they’ll need to step up a level before conquering experienced World Cup sides like the French. During the tournament, this is exactly what Coach Alberto Parreira will want to do; playing some good, intelligent football and especially putting the ball at the back of the net will be South Africa’s task. South Africa know they have the home advantage which they'll have to use for inspiration. Their 2009 Confederations Cup tournament wasn't a bad one.

They'll try to improve on their weaknesses and go one better during this year's competition. The Black Continent has promised to deliver surprises at the 2010 World Cup so as an African nation, South Africa could possess the perfect tonic to survive Group A. Crashing out from the group stages will definitely lower the fever of football among the home fans during the World Cup. As the hosts, Bafana Bafana will try to inspire themselves by the population’s admiring support and try to convert it into success on the pitch.

Group A – the outsiders at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Uruguay

Thinking about Uruguay, this nation probably appears as the table’s outsiders. Along with South Africa, the Uruguayans possess the poorest World Cup record in Group A. It’s been long since Uruguay really impressed. Their performance on the pitch is far from equaling the targets set by the club.

If they are at the 2010 World Cup, they should probably thank the heavens for the positive results which they earned against Costa Rica in the play-off. For this country, lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy is something that has not been seen since 1950. It will be up to the coach and to the players to prove that they have the perfect mentality to deal with the pressure of South African home fans, and to overthrow favorites like France and Mexico.

Group A – the players to watch at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

France: Thierry Henry, Hugo Lloris, Franck Ribery, Florent Malouda

Mexico: Carlos Vela, Giovanni dos Santos, Cuauhtemoc Blanco

South Africa: Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena

Uruguay: Diego Forlan

Group A – the crunch match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup

South Africa vs Mexico:

This game which will open the tournament will set the pace for the host nation especially. It may also send out a message (whether good or bad) to South Africa's continental brothers and participants, as well as to Africa's rivals from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Bafana Bafana will play to keep the fire burning in the stadium after the opening ceremony which promises to be fantastic.

For both Mexico and South Africa, this fixture will present a great test. South Africa will try to display a performance which will reveal that they’ve taken lessons from their 2009 Confederations Cup experience. Getting all three points will be the most important thing. Meanwhile, Mexico will hope to upset the home crowd by inflicting defeat on Bafana Bafana. The outcome of this game will especially explain El Tri’s state of mind. Intimidation, bravery? Which of those feelings will describe Mexico’s spirit best?

Group A – a look back at some big points

France, Uruguay, and Mexico – the 1966 World Cup:

Uruguay, France, and Mexico were all drawn in the same group at the 1966 World Cup. Uruguay defeated France 2-1 after Les Bleus drew 1-1 against Mexico. Mexico and Uruguay also drew goalless against each other. However, La Celeste Olimpica had the last laugh as they qualified from the first round. France and Mexico suffered an early exit.

France and Uruguay – the 2002 World Cup:

Both teams drew 0-0 against each other and both eventually crashed out from the group stages.

France and South Africa – the 1998 World Cup:

Bad memories for the Africans there… they lost 3-0 to France’s Les Bleus on French soil when they met at the 1998 World Cup. South Africa’s Issa even scored an own goal only to inflict more pain on Bafana Bafana’s wounds. One player who scored in that game and who will also be featuring at the 2010 World Cup is Thierry Henry.

Uruguay and South Africa – 1997 Confederations Cup:

It was a thrilling encounter. South Africa scored first but their opener got cancelled by a goal from Recoba and a brace from Uruguay’s Silva. Ndlanya looked to have initiated a comeback for Bafana Bafana with a goal fifteen minutes from time. But Uruguay sealed their victory right at the end of the game. 4-3 it ended and South Africa eventually exited from the first round.

Group A – the big question

Records prove that the fate of the teams in Group A is unpredictable. Which of these four teams will build best on the past and therefore get the right results to edge the others at the 2010 World Cup?
 

Group A Standings

Group A World Cup Videos

• Jul-10 Uruguay vs Germany (2 - 3)
• Jul-06 Uruguay vs Netherlands (2 - 3)
• Jul-02 Uruguay vs Ghana (1 - 1)
• Jun-27 Argentina vs Mexico (3 - 1)
• Jun-26 Uruguay vs Korea Republic (2 - 1)
• Jun-22 Mexico vs Uruguay (0 - 1)
• Jun-22 France vs South Africa (1 - 2)
• Jun-17 France vs Mexico (0 - 2)
• Jun-16 South Africa vs Uruguay (0 - 3)