Group H - Analysis

Drawn alongside Spain, Chile and Honduras, Switzerland are the odd men out in a Group H with a distinctly Hispanic feel. The favourites to take top spot are unquestionably the European champions although the Spanish cannot afford to be complacent with the ambitious Chileans around. The South Americans will have designs on winning the group themselves, and despite a 12-year spell in the wilderness, Marcelo Bielsa’s troops are being widely tipped to cause a sensation or two. Honduras and Switzerland may have slightly lower profiles but, as everyone knows, there are no pushovers at this level.

Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Spain	3	2	0	1	4	2	6
Chile	3	2	0	1	3	2	6
Switzerland	3	1	1	1	1	1	4
Honduras	3	0	1	2	0	3	1

The favourites

Spain: The tag of European champions is no guarantee of success, as La Roja know only too well after fluffing their lines at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009. The Spanish were absolutely flawless in reaching South Africa 2010, however, winning all ten of their qualifying matches. And given the fact that they have never lost to any of their three pool rivals, Vicente del Bosque’s men have every reason to be confident about their hopes of progressing.

Chile: Under the tutelage of Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, the Chileans were the revelations of the ever-demanding South American qualification group, finishing second overall, just a point behind Brazil, and well clear of the continent’s other superpower, Argentina. Humberto Chupete Suazo ended the competition as top scorer and is now aiming to impress the rest of the world with his finishing skills.

The outsiders

Switzerland: Eliminated in the last 16 at Germany 2006, the Helvetians had to work hard on their way to South Africa, topping Greece by one point in a taxing group. German tactician Ottmar Hitzfeld has restored the faith of the Swiss support following the team’s disappointing display on home soil at UEFA EURO 2008. With a posse of exciting youngsters set to burst on to the scene, this could be Switzerland’s time.

Honduras: Catracho fans think the world of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda after he steered the Central Americans to only their second-ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance. The Hondurans claimed their place after a heart-stopping end to the qualification race, helping the country’s people put their political problems momentarily to one side. The talented Wilson Palacios is just one of the players the fans will be banking on to impress, while veteran Carlos Pavon is intent on ending an exceptional international career in style. Winless at Spain 1982, Honduras have their sights set on putting the record straight.

The players to watch: Xavi (ESP), Andres Iniesta (ESP), David Villa (ESP), Humberto Suazo (CHI), Matias Fernandez (CHI), Alexis Sanchez (CHI), Wilson Palacios (HON), Carlos Pavon (HON), Alexandre Frei (SUI), Blaise Nkufo (SUI), Tranquillo Bernetta (SUI).

The crunch match: Chile vs Honduras - This Latin American duel marks the return of both sides to the biggest stage of all and provides them with a chance to see if they can match the expectations their recent exploits have generated.

A look back: Spain 1-1 Honduras, 16 June 1982, Valencia. Fate has thrown Honduras and Spain together again some 28 years after their first FIFA World Cup finals meeting. Spain 1982 was Los Catrachos’ finals debut and the newcomers almost kicked off with a shock win against the tournament hosts. Hector Zelaya put the Central Americans into the lead after just seven minutes and it was not until well into the second half that Lopez Ufarte pulled the Spanish level from the penalty spot.

Did you know? Switzerland’s stars of tomorrow won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 last month, the first time that the central European nation has ever lifted a FIFA title. Just a few days after that historic achievement, the Swiss beach soccer team claimed the runners-up spot at Dubai 2009, continuing the country’s amazing run of success. Will coach Hitzfeld turn to the nation’s young heroes when he selects his squad for South Africa 2010?

The stat: 0 - The number of times that Spain have lost to their Group H rivals. The Spaniards have recorded 15 wins and three draws against Switzerland, six wins and a draw against Chile and a solitary draw against Honduras.

Group G - Analysis

Group G appears the toughest section. Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Portugal have all stated their aim is to win the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup™. One of them – or two, if Korea DPR can evoke a colossal shock – will miss out on a place in the Round of 16. Enhancing the section's appeal is the three heavyweights' penchant for flair, which can be taken for granted given that Kaka, Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, will be parading their genius. We can look forward to 540 minutes of engrossing football.

Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Brazil	3	2	1	0	5	2	7
Portugal	3	1	2	0	7	0	5
Côte d'Ivoire	3	1	1	1	4	3	4
Korea DPR	3	0	0	3	1	12	0

The favourites

Brazil: The record five-time world champions have regained their unique, irresistible groove under Dunga's tutelage. They will head to South Africa as the Copa America and FIFA Confederations Cup holders as well as the top-ranked in South American qualifying. In Julio Cesar, Brazil have one of the game's best goalkeepers; in Kaka, they have one of its best players. With the likes of Maicon, Robinho and Luis Fabiano complementing them, A Seleção will kick off this examining section as the team to beat.

Portugal: Carlos Queiroz's side may have only scraped through to the finals via a play-off victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the Africa-born coach has copious talent at his disposal. Much of it will come from Cristiano Ronaldo, a player capable of swinging any match. The likely presence in the Portugal squad of Brazil-born players Pepe, Deco and Liedson will be an intriguing subplot to the meeting between A Selecção das Quinas and A Seleção.

The outsiders

Côte d'Ivoire: The Ivorians proved themselves a force to be reckoned with at Germany 2006, when they gave Argentina and the Netherlands serious cause for concern in narrow defeats, before returning home on a high following a defeat of Serbia and Montenegro. The Elephants have, indubitably, come on leaps and bounds since. With the likes of Kolo Toure, his brother Yaya, Solomon Kalou and hulking forward Drogba they coasted through to South Africa 2010 without a single defeat and will look to cement their reputation as a formidable side by reaching the knockout phase.

Korea DPR: The Chollima caused a major shock simply by qualifying for South Africa. They will need a significantly bigger one to reach the Round of 16. Belying the odds is not, however, alien to the North Koreans, who pulled off one of the most colossal upsets in FIFA World Cup history by beating Italy 1-0 en route to the quarter-finals in 1966, where they lost 5-3 to Portugal in a thrilling game. Prolific forward Jong Tae-Se appears to be Korea DPR's best hope of stunning the football world once again.

The players to watch: Kaka (BRA), Luis Fabiano (BRA), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Liedson (POR), Didier Drogba (CIV), Jong Tae-Se (PRK)

The crunch match: Côte d'Ivoire vs Portugal - Brazil will be expected to win Group G. Korea DPR will be the overwhelming favourites to finish bottom. Therefore, the section's opening game, between the Ivorians and the Portuguese at Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, could well determine which of this pair advances and which suffers first-round elimination.

A look back: Brazil and Portugal have won one game apiece in their previous two meetings. The Europeans inflicted a first defeat upon Dunga as Seleção coach, winning 2-0 in London in February 2007, before Brazil beat their rivals 6-2 in a November 2008 thriller.

The stat: 44 – The number of years that will have passed, by the time South Africa 2010 kicks off, since Brazil last failed to progress beyond the first phase. A 3-1 defeat by Portugal in their final group game at England 1966 condemned A Seleção to an early exit.

Group F - Analysis

On paper at least, Italy appeared to have a straightforward group from which to launch their FIFA World Cup™ title defence. Drawn alongside Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand in Group F, the form book was thrown violently out of the window, however, as Marcello Lippi's team fell at the first hurdle after failing to record a single victory.

Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Paraguay	3	1	2	0	3	1	5
Slovakia	3	1	1	1	4	5	4
New Zealand	3	0	3	0	2	2	3
Italy	3	0	2	1	4	5	2

What happened

Paraguay: In keeping with Paraguayan tradition and history, theirs is a side with no high-profile stars but steady performers, able to defend well and launch effective counter-attacks. The difference for Gerardo Martino’s charges this time around is that they now possess forwards of the calibre of Nelson Valdez, Lucas Barrios, Roque Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo, though ironically their three goals so far have come from defender Antolin Alcaraz and midfielders Enrique Vera and Cristian Viveros.

Slovakia: Cruising against New Zealand, to the point where complacency brought about the loss of an equalising goal in injury time, then outclassed 2-0 by Paraguay, the Repre knew that it was win or bust in their final match versus Italy. In an astonishing encounter, the Slovaks emerged 3-2 victors, aided by a brace from the superb Robert Vittek, an outstanding display by Martin Skrtel at the back, and a controlled performance from Marek Hamsik in midfield.

New Zealand: While the Kiwis did not show a great deal of high-quality play, is it really possible to reproach them for it? Massive outsiders in the group and in the tournament as a whole, they fly home to Auckland unbeaten, having secured 1-1 draws with Slovakia and Italy, and kept Paraguay quiet in a 0-0 stalemate. Twenty-eight years after their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup, the All Whites will have certainly learnt a lot and will have won over many neutrals in the process.

Italy: Despite pre-tournament signs that Italy might have trouble defending the Trophy, it seemed inconceivable to many onlookers that a squad coached by Marcello Lippi and featuring the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso would fail to negotiate the group phase. But fail they did. Initially held by Paraguay and New Zealand, they then collapsed against Slovakia in their final match. The end of an era.

Moments to savour

A thought for absent friends: Paraguay enjoyed a highly successful qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010, due in part to the contribution of striker Salvador Cabanas. Seriously injured in a nightclub shooting in January, he was unable to make the trip, but his team-mates have made a point of dedicating each victory and goal to him, which will hopefully offer some consolation to the player as he continues his recovery.

First time for everything: In their first appearance as an independent nation at FIFA's flagship tournament, Slovakia started off by acquiring their first point, then conceded their first defeat, before finishing with their first win. This succession of firsts combined to produce another even sweeter one: qualification for the Round of 16, secured with a dramatic defeat of the reigning champions.

Banking on draws: After three defeats in three games during their maiden appearance at Spain 1982, New Zealand's hopes of doing better this time around were high. And that they did, drawing all of their group matches. And totting up the points amassed by the All Whites would not have proved too tricky for midfielder Andy Barron, a semi-professional footballer who earns a living as an investment banker.

Changing times: Marcello Lippi changed systems – adjusting from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 – as well as goalkeepers, bringing in Federico Marchetti for the injured Buffon. He even changed his dress habits, trading in his shirt and tie for a tracksuit. Unfortunately for Italy's army of expectant fans, the biggest change came in the team's results, as they conceded five goals in three matches, compared with just two in seven back in 2006.

The stat: 0 – Italy have still not won a match in 2010 and exit the competition with Group F's wooden spoon to show for their efforts.

The final word: "I assume complete responsibility for this failure. When a team goes into a match as important as this with fear in their stomachs and heavy legs, it's because the coach hasn’t prepared them well enough," Marcello Lippi, Italy coach.