Group D Ghana vs Germany Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
The pressure is on Joachim Löw’s Germany, the subject of condemnation back home and at the centre of a political power struggle, with his team having to produce the sort of form which saw them flounce away Australia in the opening game. It’s advantage Ghana as they are set to become the first – and perhaps only – African qualifiers at the continent’s first World Cup.
They said
Joachim Löw: "Ghana is probably Africa's last chance in the tournament and will be very stimulated. It's not going to be a piece of cake, but we are very much confident that we have what it takes to beat Ghana."
Milovan Rajevac: “"We gained a lot against Australia and we will learn from our mistakes for the Germany match, we will do our best. We only approved one and it was a good goal and we always try to keep score.”
Slovenia vs England Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
A match that definitely amounts to a play-off for condition into the last 16, with Slovenia having the advantage of knowing that they would development should there be a draw.
Slovenia has outperformed England in the most current history of their particular matches in opposition to the United States and Algeria, but the longer term form says that Fabio Capello’s team should succeed.
Matthew Upson will start in defence for England following injuries to Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand as well as the postponement of Jamie Carragher, while Slovenia are waiting on the strength of centre-back Marko Suler.
They Said Fabio Capello
"After this game we have no more probability to alive. We have to win. The results have not been good, but I haven't seen the right strength on the pitch for 90 minutes, only for five or six minutes. I expect in the next game the spirit I saw in qualification will return."
Matjaz Kek: "Any national team knows it is really an honour to play England and it’s no dissimilar for us. After all, football was pretend there. It’s a great stage to promote and present our beautiful country."
USA and Algeria both sides go into this game knowing that a win would, most likely, send them to the last 16, despite the consequences between England and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth. Such a skilfully balanced scenario should produce an attractive, attacking game from two teams capable of playing a conspicuous style.
The USA have a tendency to be vaguely more straight than the technically-gifted Algerians, their creativeness channeled through Clint Dempsey and wingers Landon Donovan, both of whom are given license to roam inside, switching flanks when appropriate or even moving into central striking positions. Algeria is more strict, looking to the mercurial Karim Ziani to organize their attacks.
They said
Majid Bougherra: “We require doing more in opposition to United States. We’re conscious that a win could see us through to the Round of 16 for the first time in our history. This is a match that could vary our lives forever and provide us with one of the most unforgettable moments of our careers.”
Maurice Edu: “I can’t guess the future but getting the next phase is our goal. We’re going to take to the pitch against Algeria fully strong-minded to get the win that would put us through to the next round. It is a truly vital match.”
Another African disappointment at this World Cup. Taking just one point from Group B means Nigeria - hosts South Africaand Ivory Coast - will watch the action on television, a setback for the tournament's taste, if not for its superiority.
Indeed, whilst this match produced on tension to keep a crowd of 60,000 absorbed, it also bore spectator to the miss of the competition.
It was the kind of miss which made Scotland's Chris Iwelumo a smiling stock when he miscued in alike approach against Norwa. Yakubu's however, was more of poorer quality.
However, after falling behind when Kala Uche scored his second goal of the tournament.
Uche, the remarkable Almeria forward, met Chidi Odiah's centre with right-foot end which beat Jung Sung-ryong at his near post. Uche, who scored Nigeria's opener in their crush in opposition to Greece.
Defender Lee Jung-soo streamed home Ki Sung-yong's floated free-kick for his second goal of the tournament.
Park Chu-young kept the Koreans the lead four minutes after the break when he bent a free kick around the wall. Yakubu then missed the great chance which will perpetually disturb him, but made unfair amends three minutes later when slotting home a penalty after Kim Nam-il had fouled Chinedu Obasi.
Raymond Domenech and his players wanted to achieve this summer, but after a week of chaos within the French camp, at least they made somebody happy of their fans.
Reduced to ten men following the first-half dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff, France was outplayed by the hosts, who claimed victory with first-half goals from Katiego Mphela and Bongani Khumalo.
Florent Malouda’s late goal was no solace for France and the unpleasant taste left by their World Cup contribution was amplified with Domenech refusing to tremble the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the end of the game.
Go home France. Good exclusion.
Since the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka on Saturday for vocally abusing Domenech, the players have boycotted training, there has been talk of ‘traitors’ in the camp and French Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot acknowledged Les Bleus could ‘no longer be heroes for our children.’
Domenech, who accused his players of being ‘indescribably stupid,’ made six changes from the starting line-up in the 2-0 crush against Mexico. He could have made eleven.
South Africa, needing a five-goal swing and a crush for Mexico in opposition to Uruguay to have any hope of qualification, required all the help they might obtain.
Khumalo outjumped Abou Diaby to bunch the ball into the net with his shoulder, Hugo Lloris, the highly-rated French goalkeeper, misapprehend Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner.
The red card was welcomed by Domenech placing his head in his hands, but South Africa now sensed a chance and they decanted forward.
Yet poorer French protecting endorsed Tsepo Masilela to cross to the far post, where Mphela knocked the ball into the blank net.
Mphela approximately made it 3-0 on 43 minutes with a low strike from far that was intensely saved by Lloris.
Thierry Henry replaced the unsuccessful Djibril Cisse, but South Africa continued to dominate, with Mphela striking the crossbar before having another lengthy range effort saved.
The missed chances in danger of extinction to prove expensively, especially with the margins so tight for the home team.
And the twist was taken out of South Africa’s sails on 70 minutes when Malouda scored for France after being teed up by Franck Ribery 12 yards out.
The superb goal destroyed South Africa’s dream, but for France, the nightmare will go on and on.
