South Africa 2010 World Cup Will See More of the Same

With just 12 days separating the world from the inaugural celebration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, many experts are dissecting and predicting just what will happen when the greatest sporting event on the planet comes to a close on July 11. That being said, I'll join the masses and share my thoughts on what I believe will happen at the coming World Cup. 

I'll begin with a breakdown of how I believe each group will play out. I'll then walk you through what I believe will happen in the knockout stages. There may be some shockers along the way. 

Group A

Group A includes Mexico, France, Uruguay, and the host nation, South Africa. This is a very tough group to predict, if anything, because of the way Mexico, France, and Uruguay all came into the World Cup. If you add to it that no host nation has ever failed to qualify for the second round, you'll understand what I mean. 

After struggling early in CONCACAF qualifying, Mexico boss Javier Aguirre waved his magic wand and found the formula to whip "El Tri" into shape.

After rallying to finish second in qualifying, Mexico have taken a 60 day preparation period with its home-based players much to the dismay of the domestic league teams (Especially Chivas). After a run of eight matches without a loss, Mexico have recently tasted defeat to world powers England and Holland. 

During the first half of the England game, Mexico dominated the British on the pitch but not on the scoreboard. Despite total ball control and numerous scoring chances, it was England who found itself up 2-0 after two corner kicks. West Ham's Guillermo Franco pulled one back for Mexico, but the most unsettling action of the match was Arsenal forward Carlos Vela's two break-away misses. 

Against Holland two days later, Aguirre sent out an alternate lineup and paid the consequences of having such a limited squad. It wasn't until Giovanni Dos Santos, Vela, and Efrain Juarez came on that Mexico were able to cut into the Dutch lead. 

Uruguay, who finished fifth in qualifying in CONMEBOL and were forced to play a Home and Home series against Costa Rica before finally qualifying for the Finals, also participated in an international tune-up friendly.

"Los Charruas" faced Israel in their farewell match and easily defeated the Israelis, 4-1. Led by world-class strikers Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez, and defender Alvaro Pereira, Uruguay feel they can make some noise at this world cup. 

France participated in a friendly against Costa Rica as a tune-up for its participation in South Africa's tournament. "Les Bleus" squeaked by the Ticos 2-1. It's not that they just beat Costa Rica, but it's also that France have made it a habit recently to do just enough to pull through. 

After flirting with disaster in qualifying and being aided by a Thierry Henry handball goal, the French come into the competition under a cloud of uncertainty. Still, France is France, and until one of the other three in the group can change things, "Les Bleus" will be a force to be reckoned with. 

Faced with probably the tallest task of all is host South Africa. Trying to avoid being the first host nation to not make the second round, the "Bafana Bafana" open up against an unpredictable Mexican squad. Though the Africans have fared well in going undefeated in their last nine international matchups, they are considered by many the weakest team in this unpredictable group.

Matches:

11 June- Mexico 2- South Africa 1. Uruguay 3- France 1

16/17 June- France 1- Mexico 1. Uruguay 2- South Africa 0.

22 June South Africa 2-France 1. Mexico 1-Uruguay 1. 

Group B

Group B promises to be an exciting group with two-time winner Argentina leading the way, despite boss Diego Armando Maradona. With a stable of scoring stallions led by Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, "La Albiceleste" have the capability of tearing through this group and dazzling the world with their soccer.

Nigeria make up one-fourth of this group. The "Super Eagles" make a return to the world stage after missing out on Germany 2006, and they fully expect to turn some heads at this summer's magna-event. If Nigeria want to parlay their youth success (three U-17 World Championships and a Gold Medal) into a FIFA World Cup trophy, they'll have to start by shocking one of the favorites: Argentina.

The other group opener will feature a South Korean team trying to return to the form that saw it reach the semifinal match in the 2002 edition of FIFA's tournament.

After bowing out early in group play, the Taeguk Warriors hope to open tournament play on the right foot and get a jump start on their quest to reach the final four for the second time. Led by Manchester United standout Park Ji-Sung, South Korea face an unpredictable side in Greece to begin their tournament participation. 

Greece are an unpredictable bunch. After shocking the world and winning the 2004 EuroCup Championship, the Hellenic squad failed to qualify for Germany '06. Hanging by a thread, Boss Otto Rehhagel faces a tough group, but finding the magic spark that took Greece to glory in 2004 is entirely possible.

Matches:

12 June Argentina 2- Nigeria 0; South Korea 1- Greece 1.

17 June Greece 1- Nigeria 1; Argentina 3- South Korea 1.

22 June Argentina 4- Greece 0; South Korea 1; Nigeria 2.

Tomorrow: 

Groups C, D, E