World Cup 2010: Group A Focus
World Cup 2010: Group A Focus
Posted: 2010-02-03 12:21
With just over four months to World Cup kick off, media around the world are beginning for put more and more focus on the countries involved, the various groups and individual players.
Leading international soccer website Goal.com puts the focus on Group A that features South Africa, Mexico, France and Uruguay, and highlights five players from each country whom they believe will be key to the tournament:
SOUTH AFRICA
Itumeleng Khune - Kaizer Chiefs (Goalkeeper)
The Kaizer Chiefs stopper decided to stay in the PSL in order to secure his place in the national squad ahead of the World Cup. A knee injury threatened his national team hopes, but the lightning reflexes of Khune are almost certain to be a part of Bafana's arsenal in June.
Benni McCarthy – West Ham United (Striker)
The former Blackburn Rovers poacher may not have been getting as much game-time as he would have liked, but he is the country’s most talented attacker and his instinct in front of goal is unquestionable. A controversial figure at times, those issues seem to be behind him and he is striving to be the main man in Bafana’s attack, and his recent move to West Ham United is due to his need to play more consistently and get minutes under his belt.
Steven Pienaar - Everton (Midfielder)
Possibly the country’s best player at the moment, ‘Schillo’ makes a huge difference to the performance of the team. He is one of the few European-based players for Bafana who command a regular spot at club level. His passing and vision in midfield creates a number of attacking opportunities for the strikers.
Aaron Mokoena - Portsmouth (Defender)
The Bafana captain is, with Pienaar, one of the few European-based players who play on a regular basis at club level, securing a midfield spot at English club Portsmouth. Interestingly, though he plays in midfield for his club, he is a central defender for South Africa, providing leadership from the back, whilst tackling hard and marking the opposition strikers well.
Matthew Booth – Mamelodi Sundowns (Defender)
The tall and strong defender was an unknown in world football until the Confederations Cup last year, where he caught the attention of a few European clubs with his fine displays in the Bafana rearguard. His solid no-nonsense tackling and ability in the air will be key for South Africa in June.
URUGUAY
Diego Forlan - Atletico Madrid (Forward)
He is the best Uruguayan player in the world right now, and the most notable menace to rival defences in South Africa. Forlan is absolutely irreplaceable in La Celeste XI, because he’s a skilful and complete forward who can play between centre-backs, open at the wings and also as a playmaker if needs be. His vision, selflessness and a powerful shot are his main attributes.
Diego Lugano - Fenerbahce (Defender)
Captain and leader of the team, Lugano is a key member of the squad. He’s the best Uruguayan centre-back at the moment, but he is as important off the pitch as he is on it. This is due to his quality as a true leader, with a strong character and a forceful temperament. He uses his character to motivate his team-mates and give advice to the younger players in the squad.
Martín Caceres - Juventus (Defender)
This versatile defender, who can play in any defensive position and on both flanks, is a secure starter in South Africa. Even when he was frozen out of the squad at Barcelona, Caceres was an unquestionable starter during World Cup qualifiers for his country. And now that he has settled at Juventus, this is still the case. He is likely to start as a left wing-back, as Oscar Tabarez has many more right-backs to choose from.
Luis Suarez - Ajax (Striker)
Forlan’s partner in the Uruguayan attack. Despite his great form in the Netherlands with Ajax, Suarez failed to make a real impression during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring just a few goals, and the fans began to question whether he deserved a regular place in the squad. He was the player that played the most matches during the qualifying campaign. Tabarez has a great deal of trust in him though.
Cristian Rodriguez - FC Porto (Midfielder)
Commonly known as ‘El Cebolla’ (The Onion), Rodriguez is one of the most popular players in the Uruguayan national team, and that is down to the fact that he is not just talented, but also committed and brave. This left-footed attacking midfielder is the opposite of retired former Uruguay international Alvaro Recoba, who failed to impress fans due to his lack of bravery. If he is fit, El Cebolla will be a definite starter.
MEXICO
William Ochoa - America (Goalkeeper)
Ochoa is one of the most consistent players in the Mexican national team. He is a confident keeper, but he has little international experience under his belt. Undisputed number one with club side America, Ochoa is a player with fast reflexes and great shot-stopping ability, although he struggles with balls in the air.
Rafael Marquez – Barcelona (Defence)
The Mexican captain is probably the most well known of the country's players globally. Although he has not been consistent with Barcelona in Spain, the security and leadership he provides from the back helped to take Mexico to the World Cup. He is a defender who gives peace of mind to the rest of his colleagues at the back, acting as the leader on the pitch.
Gerardo Torrado – Cruz Azul (Midfielder)
He is the ball winner in the side and is very strong when fighting for the ball. His work often goes unnoticed, but is essential to the team as his holding midfielder role allows for the attackers to get the ball and create opportunities to score.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco – Veracruz (Midfielder)
Blanco is the link player between the midfield and attack. He hates to charge for balls, and his pass delivery is exceptional in setting up forwards. He is a player with great balance and also has decent shot on him from range.
Guillermo Franco – West Ham United (Forward)
He is a player who always fights for the ball and never gives up until he reaches his target. Although he lacks consistency at times, he is often a headache for opposition defences because he constantly pushes forward in search of goal.
FRANCE
William Gallas – Arsenal (Defender)
France have defensive problems at the moment, but one thing is certain: William Gallas will be in South Africa. Although he had some problems with Arsenal in the past, he has come back to his best level and is now the key player of the French back-line.
Yoann Gourcuff – Bordeaux (Midfielder)
Just 18 months ago, Yoann Gourcuff was selected for the first team by Raymond Domenech as a virtually unknown youngster on which France were taking a risk. Today, he is an essential part of the French team because of his creativity in attack and his expertise from set-pieces.
Lassana Diarra - Real Madrid (Midfielder)
An essential player for Real Madrid, Lassana Diarra is one of the best in his position. His work-rate and ability to go forward and to help offensive players are good assets for France, and his ball-winning is key to French success.
Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich (Midfielder)
France have been waiting for his comeback for a very long time. His skill, pace and creativity were missing during the World Cup qualification phase. He will be an important player in South Africa.
Thierry Henry – Barcelona (Striker)
Criticised after his handball against Ireland during the play-offs, the striker is still the French captain. His experience, in particular in World Cups (it will be his 4th finals tournament), will be essential. His goals will also be a driving force in any French success.
Have you discussed this topic on Team KICK OFF? Click Here...
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com