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Group A - 2010 Football World cup - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group A promises to be a tough group and offers the hosts, South Africa, a serious challenge if they are to live up to the tradition of host teams reaching the second round and live up to the expectations they placed on themselves with a very impressive Confederations Cup performance. Home teams have been the beneficiary of home ground advantage in the past and it looks likely that the Bafana Bafana may need some of this advantage to progress.

South Africa face a traditionally strong French team, who despite struggling in qualifying, will be expected to win the group, as well as the Mexicans during their 5th successive trip to the World Cup finals (they reached the second round in all four previous entries). The group also features Uruguay and while they have won the tournament twice in the past, it has been a long time since they have been considered anything resembling a football force.

South Africa

Home fan's expectations going into the 2010 World Cup have been elevated by a highly creditable performance during the Confederations Cup. Having lost to Brazil in the semi-final it took an extra-time goal for Spain to claim third spot at the expensive of the impressively disciplined Bafana Bafana.

In Carlos Alberto Parreira they have a manager with a very strong coaching pedigree and will be hoping that he can help to converge a seemingly disjointed team into a single playing unit. The passionate home fans are certain to give the players a lift, though, and with home soil advantage they could cause a surprise by progressing through to the 2nd round. Doing so would be considered a major achievement.

Key players to look out for include midfielder Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena.

Mexico

Mexico, or El Tri, are making their fifth successive World Cup finals appearance and have progressed to and been knocked out in the second round on each of their four previous appearances. In Germany 2006 they were unlucky to be knocked out by Argentina following an injury time goal that went on to be voted the goal of the tournament.

The Mexican team is a young one filled with promising talent. Players like defender Marquez, who plays club football with giants Barcelona, and the Arsenal striker Carlos Vela will be hoping to make an impression for their country's national side. Guillermo Franco from West Ham and Andres Guardado from Deportivo La Coruna are also noteworthy players while coach Javier Aguirre has been lauded for his impact on bringing belief back to the team. Mexico look to be the favourites to progress from the group along with favourites France.

Uruguay

Despite being able to boast two World Cups to their name, it is a long time since Uruguay have been a force in world football. Despite having some talented players that regularly receive praise for their club football, they seem unable to perform at international level. They seem to find it especially difficult when they come up against better opposition only managing to beat Paraguay of all the teams to qualify from the same group.

If players like Diego Forlan of Atletico Madrid and Diego Lugano can convert their club performances to the national team then The Celeste could challenge for second spot in the group and possibly even progress beyond the 2nd round. However, it could prove a big ask for Oscar Tabarez coached team overcome France, Mexico, and hosts South Africa.

France

Firm group favourites France are expected to progress from Group A despite coming up against the young Mexico side and host nations South Africa and despite only just getting through qualification at the last minute. World class players run right through the team and the 2006 finalists will be confident that they can progress to the 2nd round without too much trouble.

Raymond Domenech's Les Bleus qualification caused a stir for several reasons. Not only did the highly respected French team finish a point behind Serbia and need to navigate their way through a play-off with Northern Ireland but they only won that match thanks to a highly contentious goal from striker Thierry Henry, who later admitted that he had handled the ball into the back of the net.

Despite the controversy surrounding this incident it would be dangerous to assume that they will not progress out of group A. Key players can be highlighted in every area of the team, with a blend of experience and youth. Their star player is considered to be Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich and other players to watch closely include Barcelona striker Henry, Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, and Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra.

Likely Outcome

The most likely outcome for this group will be France to progress as group winners, and youthful Mexico are most likely to progress at the expense of the hosts. However, home support and fresh legs may be enough to help Bafana Bafana to cause something of an upset early in the competition. The tournament's first match between hosts South Africa and challengers Mexico is likely to be a very lively affair and may help determine just who will progress from the group. The match is played at the Johannesburg Soccer City stadium on the opening day of the tournament, the 11th June 2010.

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