World Cup Discussion Thread [Day 1]
 

Ah, there's two matches tomorrow? Happy days. Thought it might have been just the opening and the hosts match. Come on Uraguay!

South Africa team to play Mexico: Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela.


Mexico team: To be announced.

Yeah and 3 on saturday!

South Africa v Mexico preview

Hosts South Africa kick-off the World Cup against Mexico in the opening game of this summer's tournament.

South Africa is at fever pitch as they prepare to become the first African country to stage football's greatest showpiece.

Soccer City in Johannesburg is the venue for the game with both sides looking to get their Group A campaign off to a positive start.

South Africa go into the encounter in high spirits as they are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, while Mexico are buoyed by their recent friendly win over World Cup holders Italy.

France and Uruguay make up the rest of Group A so South Africa and Mexico will be looking to put the pressure on their rivals with victory in the opening fixture.

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has named his starting XI and he is sticking with the team that beat Guatemala 5-0 and Denmark 1-0 in their last two warm-up matches.

It means regular left-back Tsepo Masilela will start on the bench despite recovering from injury which forced him to miss the wins over Guatemala and Denmark.

Lucas Thwala will continue at full-back while goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is fit to take his place between the posts after recovering from a back problem.

Creative

The hosts will look to midfield star Steven Pienaar to provide the creative edge for them in midfield, while Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena will captain the side.

With Benni McCarthy being left out of the squad Katlego Mphela is expected to lead the attack for the home side.

Mexico are boosted by the return of key duo Rafael Marquez and Guillermo Franco ahead of the game.

Barcelona star Marquez trained for the first time in South Africa earlier this week and he could go straight into the starting line-up.

Franco has shaken off a foot problem leaving Mexico coach Javier Aguirre with a dilemma on who to play in attack.

Arsenal's Carlos Vela is set to be given one of the two spots up front leaving Aguirre to decide between Franco and Manchester United-bound ace Javier Hernandez to partner Vela.

Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos will be the man charged with providing the ammunition for Mexico's forwards as they look upset South Africa.

Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio are battling it out to start at left-back with Salcido expected to get the nod at full-back.

http://www.skysports.com/football/wo...199576,00.html

Carlos Vela Hatrick!

You will see!

If Gourcuff is on form France will go far in this Tournie

Opening ceremony about to start

R. Kelly about to blow the world away

go mexico!

South Africa will win.

I know. I still want mexico to win though :D

I hope so, as his price can't rise his buyout clause on contract is 21.5m hope we buy him quickly.
Vela hatrick.

Ah ffs I wish BBC had this so we don't have to have all these adverts

There is Nate's favourite thing about the World Cup

Mexico aren't great, but still too good for SA.

Them bloody horns lol!! and it hasnt even started yet

All those vulvas are very horny.

My darkhorses for this tournament are Serbia theyre so underrated their team is quite brilliant

I'm listening to Dunphy waffle on Irish channel. Such an eejit but great telly.

Bought a Serbian defender in the fantasy thing because they could be a tough nut to crack.

they all look so scary!

I always love to hear the chants and the bands and the culture that comes through them at the games, won't be possible this year cause of them horns :(

I bet everyone but Britain and Ireland think Blatter and Platini are saints now...

Fifa has said as soon as one is thrown on the pitch they'll be banned.