2010 World Cup Week 1 Update

• By: Editor
• On: 17/Jun/2010
• In: South Africa Travel Tips

Group A

Group A kicked off with two draws, with 10 man Uruguay gaining a deserved draw with an uninspired French outfit. Hosts South Africa gained a credible 1-1 draw against Mexico, but their hard work was undone as in their next game they were well beaten 3-0 by Uruguay and in the process looking like the first host team in World Cup history to be eliminated in the Group phase.

Group B

Argentina, one of the pre tournament favourites got off to winning ways by beating Nigeria 1-0. South Korea made their Round 2 prospects much brighter with an impressive 2-0 win over the dull Greeks. Diego Maradona's charges play the similarly technically gifted South Koreans next - expect some free flowing attacking football here.

Group C

England are in this group, and their first game, a 1-1 draw against a spirited USA team was a personal disaster for 'keeper Robert Green with his error in conceding the goal, you have all seen the goal at this stage. It really remains to see whether Green will be between the posts for the next game against Algeria. The North African outfit are one defeat away from being sent home, as Slovenia ground out a dour 1-0 opening day win with a late winner.

Group D

This group has already seen the most impressive team performance by a youthful German team. Inspired by Bundesliga attackers Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil tore the hapless Australia backline apart in a 4-0 thrashing. Is another glorious era beckoning for Germany? Time will tell. In the other game, the pre tournament hype about Serbia was proved to be just that, as they really disappointed in a 1-0 defeat to a well disciplined Ghana team.

Group E

The much fancied Dutch outfit got off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Denmark, and seem to be in the driving seat in this group. With their attacking prowess, they will be favourites to win the pool with a game to spare. A motivated Japan team produced a shock of sorts by beating Cameroon 1-0.

Group F

Reigning World Champions Italy were held by Paraguay in a 1-1 draw in their opener. In the other group match New Zealand gained their first ever World Cup Finals point in a 1-1 draw with world cup debutants Slovakia, who were shocked by an injury time Kiwi header.

Group G

Group G kicked off with a dour scoreless draw between Ivory Coast and Portugal. With the talent on show for both teams surely both teams can play better than what was served up! One of the pre tournament favourites Brazil were fancied to easily beat the unknown North Korea side but this was not the case; the North Koreans defended extremely well and only a sublime strike from Maicon broke the deadlock and despite a second goal, Brazil could not add to their tally and ended up winning just 2-1.

Group H

This group began with an impressive Chile team beating Honduras 1-0. The next match provided perhaps the biggest World Cup shock since Senegal beating France 1-0, when the unheralded Swiss beat European Champions Spain 1-0. Spain's achilles heel could be their defence - this was proved with the winning goal. Injuries to key players like Torres, Fabregas and Iniesta have clearly hurt La Furia in their quest to win their first ever World Cup.

Hope you enjoyed our 2010 World Cup update - if you are in South Africa for some of the games or thinking of heading out there, on your football free days why not check out the tourist attractions of South Africa at your own pace by checking out our Car Hire South Africa options.

What do you think so far about the 2010 World Cup? Have you been disappointed with the defensive football on display? Have you been annoyed by the vuvuzelas? Let your fellow readers know your thoughts - looking forward to hearing from you!