(from TWD)
The Wait is over.
It's Day 1 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and as the opening ceremonies wind down, matchday one will present two great matches to start the proceedings.
Here is a full runthrough quickly of a few rising stars not on your radar now, but will be in the future, as well as my predictions.
The Six "Tomorrows" That You'll Get To Know Today
Nickolas Nkoulou (Cameroon): For rising forces in the Back 4, look no future than this precocious 20 year old. In already a few seasons, Nkoulou has made himself a standout defender for Monaco in "Ligue 1", the French's top flight (for those who don't know). Strong and swift, Nkoulou has been rumored to go to a lot of big clubs in the future, and that could very well happen after this tournament. He's presence in defense, along with Benoit Assou-Ekotto, is a reason why most fancy Cameroon to make it out of tricky Group E.
Cheng Yueng Lee (South Korea)- At just 21 years old, The Bolton winger is just one of those rare Asian players to establish himself in his earlier days. Blessings with solid pace but most importantly, terrific clever dribbling skills, Lee is a rising force not only for the Korea Republic, but also in the Barclays Premier League. For the Kuwan Warriors to go far in this tournament, they will need their mercurial talent to assist team captain, the industrial Ji Sung Park.
Javier Hernandez or Pablo Barrera (Mexico) Or it could be just both. Part of the golden generations from El Tri, both Hernandez and Barrera exhibit the pace and skill that make Mexico a dangerous team in yet another World Cup. Hernandez enjoyed a fabulous breakout year in at Chives in the F.M.F, earning himself a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's heart and already going to Manchester United before final training for this World Cup started.
The same high level European aspirations seem to be also in Barrera's future, and it would have happened maybe a year or so ago if injuries hadn't beset him. But using that as motivation, Barrera had a terrific season for Pumas UNAM, showing all the skill that's in the building of a world class white player. Both figure to come off the bench to start the tournament for Javier Aguierre's side, but expect these two rising forces to get a lot of time in this Cup.
Jose Torres and/or Stuart Holden (USA): And of course, there couldn't be a full rising stars preview without mentioning the guys in the Red, White, in Blue in the shadows of the likes of Donovan, Dempsey, and Howard. Torres, who had to decide between Mexico and the US, is a presence certainly welcomed by US fans. The Texas native provides the calmness on the ball not found in too many US players, and has the ability to go far in the world game. Another solid season for Mexican powerhouse Pachuca at just age 22, Torres is being liken to former USA international Tab Ramos for his deft smoothness on the ball. Though he may not start, no question that Torres is one player to watch with his deft left foot and placidity.
The same could be said of another Texas native in Stuart Holden, but just the opposite with his right leg being the stronger of his options. The former Houston Dynamo and now emerging force with Bolton in the Barclays premier League, Holden is an exciting player capable of sending in pin point crosses and delivering terrific free kicks. But Holden has risen in the last few years because of his tremendous growing work rate and ability to play underrated defense to go along with his much hyped offensive skills. Like Torres, he may just be off the First XI, but make no mistake that for the US to go far, a strong tournament from Holden would certainly facilitate that possible reality to happen.
Those are just some of the few new names that could be household ones at this tournament, and I will give more as the tournament progresses. For today, watch for Uruguay's 21 year talent in the midfield Nicholas Lodeiro off the bench probably, as prolific strike duo Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez look to cause France and much maligned coach Raymond Domenech more headaches in Day 1's second contest.
My picks:
Yup, if you can't see, these are my picks.
Group A: I really believe France are in serious trouble, and it would be onl fitting for the Domenech era to end with crashing out in the group stages. That will be the 2nd time in 3 World Cups that will happen to such a strong nation as the French. For me, you just can't go against the host nation, especially with the terrible news of Nelson Mandela's great-grand daughter dying last night. The emotion will be there, and the South Africans will progress, but Mexico will top the group though, even if I think South Africa will beat them today.
Group B: Even with the arrogance of team mascot.idol, I mean, manager Diego Maradonna, Argentina seem to have things lining up for them. Still, they must not rest against three accomplished sides here in this group. It will be, and should be, a dogfight for 2nd in this group. All three of these teams can progress and have the players to lead them to the Round of 16. You can't even flip a coin considering it's three of them, but only a slight pick for Nigeria, even with the loss of John Obi Mikel
Group C: Well, thankfully the match of the US-England will be over soon, so ESPN/ABC could stop shoving it down our throats. If the managing of Bob Bradley leads to be desired itself, that won't be enough to screw up the US advance with England in this group . The team has enough ability, if focused and tactically sound (which isn't the case with Bradley a lot of the times) to easily finish the bridesmaid with England in this group.
Group D: Along with Group A, Group D is the tournament's real "Group of Death" than Group G. Germany have suffered injuries, but most importantly, a lost of confidence in former clutch net rippers Miro Klose and Lukas Podoski. Those factors lead some to believe that Serbia should top the group, and I think they will. Nevertheless, thanks to the injury of the wonderful Michael Essien upstaging the injury of club teammate Michael Ballack, Germany should go through two, but will fall to England in the 1st knockout.
Group E: The Dutch, the Dutch, the Dutch. But even with shaky goalkeeper and Arjen Robben's hamstring, the Dutch still should easily get out of this otherwise competitive group. And if they aren't focused because of Robben's injury, it could get a little slippery for them here. Denmark, Cameroon, and Japan all have enough, especially in the midfield for Japan and Cameroon, to give problems. And I think Cameroon will slightly pass through Denmark into 2nd.
Group F: Well, the defending world champions are in trouble. Old and on poor form, Italy lacks the offensive creativity at the moment, especially with an already old Andrea Prilo beset with an injury. This seemingly easy group for Italy has been made harder by how stronger it seems that both Slovakia and Paraguay are getting. And despite Paraguay little knicks and knacks themselves, they are more than capable of beating a down Italy side. We can all agree on one thing here though, New Zealand is the worst team at this Cup. But I believe shockingly that Italy will go home with them.
Group G: The key question in this group is how effective will Didier Drogba be with his injury. Either way, Portugal's lost of Nani was itself massive injury story, and it may place too much burden on an already burdened Cristiano Ronaldo. Either way, Brazil's first few difficult matches have been made just slightly less harder, and send prayers for North Korea in this group. Kim Jong Ill maybe upset at how they will probably get thrashed. But don't question their hearts though at all.
And in Group H: It's Espana, Espana, espana, all the way, with another competitive battle for 2nd place in effect. Though everyone have proclaimed Chile with their delightful attacking force, I do believe that the Swiss experience will show here, as well as their underrated still young players.
Predictions for Day 1: I expect that the pride of the Host Nation will be too much to deny. And with a player such as Steven Pienaar, expect South Africa to kick their campaign off with a bang. 2-1 over Mexico today.
In game 2, expect a big day from Mr. Forlan, as Uruguay will ask a lot of questions of France today. Uruguay 2, France 0.
The live Thread of match 1 of this FIFA 2010 World Cup will begin at 10, stay tuned:
Mexico clearly looks the livey side right now, dominating possession and looking tough to contain.
13': South Africa settling down a little here, but Mexico will still much of the possession
28' Still 0-0, but a dangerous free kick opportunity goes to waste, as Rafa Marquez can't control the live controversial match ball.
32' Gullie Franco was close there, but wonderful stop by Khune there, who has settled down as well. Still 0-0.
39': What an unbelievable miss of a call there if that was offside, Mexico was robbed off a goal there from Vela if that was the case.
45' And that will be the 1st half here, as an offsides call was called on mexico. 0-0 at the break folks.
That was the right call clearly on the offensives call for sure, while Mphela should have scored along with Franco burying one of his chances. Should have been 2-1 or 2-0 Mexico on the half.
55' WHAT A WONDERFUL GOAL from Thhabalala, South Africa are up 1-0
79' Rafa Marquez ties it up for Mexcio here, it's now 1-1, and a grand stand finish to the end folks.
And it stands and ends at 1-1 all folks......the full review to come at TWD.
By thanks to all who participated in this event folks........live coverage and analysis of Uruguay-France will be at the twitter page and The Whole Delivery.