Draw for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa

Everybody plays football today

The group draw was staged in Cape Town, and the most interesting will be the group G consists of Brazil, Korea (DPR), Cote d'Ivoire and Portugal. Spectacular event was marked by famous sporting figures such as David Beckham and Haile Gebreselassie and a star of the draw was a South African actress Charlize Theron


By RADOMIR ĐUROVIĆ (radomir.djurovic@wavemagazine.net)
from Belgrade, SERBIA
Translation: SLAĐANA JULOSKI


The draw was held in Cape Town for the World Cup, that will take place in South Africa next year (June 11 - July 11, 2010). Thirty-two teams are divided into eight groups, and the two best teams from each group goes to the eighth-finals. Games will be played in nine South African cities: Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloenfontein, Nelspruit, Rustenburg and Polokwane. By the will of the draw, it was decided that the Opening Match will be in Johannesburg between host (South Africa) and Mexico. In this group, Uruguay and France will also play. Until now, South Africa participated in World Championships two times, and both times they ended the competition in the first round.

- People expect us to reach the second round and I think we can achieve that. Mexico and Uruguay play similar to us, and France will be a real challenge. I expect great support from the stands, which would give us additional security - said midfielder player of South Africa and of English club Everton, Steven Pienaar.

The most interesting will be the group G consists of Brazil, Portugal, Korea (DPR) and Cote d'Ivoire. In this group there are three teams who were among the ten favorites for the title of world champion by bookmakers William Hill forecasts. Brazil is in third place (odds 7.5), Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire are in the ninth and tenth place (28). The lowest-ranked is Korea (DPR), so if they become the world champions, in one invested dollar can be obtained even 2,000. The favorite is the European champion Spain (4.5), followed by England (5), Brazil and Argentina (9), Italy and Germany (by 12), the Netherlands and France (14).

No doubt it's going to be the most interesting match between Brazil and Portugal, as for the Portuguese play three players who were born in Brazil - Pepe, Deco and Liedson. From 18 mutual duels Brazil won 12 and Portugal 4, while two ended in a draw. They have never met at the world championships. Asked whether he would be a problem to score against Brazil, Liedson said:

- That's not going to be a problem for me. If I'm able to accomplish the goal, I will, because I'm now a player of Portugal. It's good that Brazil is in the same group, so both teams can qualify for the next round. I would strive to meet Brazil in the knockout stage.

Head coach of Brazil Dunga pointed out that is better to be in a difficult group, because then they will go into each match carefully.

- We expect difficult matches. The group is balanced, but we are confident in our quality and pass to the second round. It'll be an interesting match with Portugal because of the duel Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. They're both playing for Real Madrid, and both of them were declared for the best players in the world.

The Cote d'Ivoire is a main favorite from the shadows, but the draw was not favorable. In Germany 2006. they lost in the group from the Netherlands and Argentina, and only defeated Serbia and Montenegro. They are more experienced now, and coach Vahid Halilhodzic believes they can make it difficult for Brazil and Portugal.

On the Championship will debut for two national teams, Serbia and Slovakia. Serbia plays in Group D with Germany, Australia and Ghana. The two best teams in the eighth-finals will meet the winners of Group C consists of England, the United States, Algeria and Slovenia.

- These are excellent teams with quality individuals. Regardless that, I think we have a real chance to reach eighth-finals. Now, it's important to choose the camp for the national team during the championship - said Serbian coach Radomir Antic. With him agreed many football experts and team members, and the Serbian Football Association president Tomislav Karadzic said that if the "Eagles" can not take one of the first two places, they don't deserve placement in the eighth finals. Serbia will play the first match against the Serbian, because Ghana, from the bench is headed by Milovan Rajevac:

- I can not say that I'm overjoyed. For me, Germany is the best European team, and Serbia is very strong. However, I think we can be worthy to confront them and take place in the next round - he said.

Draw for World Cup was spectacular, and the teams were drawn by famous sportsmen, such as footballer David Beckham, and athlete Haile Gebreselassie. Star of the draw was South African actress Charlize Theron, who won in 2004 Oscar for the Best Actress in the film "Monster."


Groups:

A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile


(Published: 18.12.2009.)