WORLD CUP 2010 GROUP A

Group A
Flag of

1.
Flag of
South Africa

2.
Flag of
Mexico

3.
Flag of
Uruguay 

Flag of
4.France



Group A Teams PL W L D GF GA -/+ Pts
Flag of
South Africa   0        0  0 0  0      0      0 0
Flag of
Mexico          0        0  0 0  0       0      0 0
Flag of
Uruguay         0        0 0  0  0      0      0 0   
Flag of
France            0       0 0  0   0      0      0 0




sout afrika skuad


World-Everton's Pienaar carries South African hopes

By Mark Gleeson

JOHANNESBURG, May 18 (Reuters) - As the subject of speculation over a possible off-season move away from Everton to Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur, Steven Pienaar has a much higher profile than his South African team mates.

Since the diminutive, sinewy midfielder became a fan favourite at Premier League Everton, Pienaar has aroused expectations back home and will carry the bulk of the hosts' hopes in the World Cup finals.

It is a task the 28-year-old is quite capable of handling but his reserved nature holds him back from publicly claiming a place as talisman of the home team.

Born in the tough, mixed-race Johannesburg neighbourhood of Westbury, Pienaar's singular focus on football allowed him to resist the temptations of drugs and gang warfare that dominated the streets around his boyhood home.

He was sent away as 13-year-old to the South African Football Association's academy and earmarked as a prodigy. But after a multitude of matches for the country's junior teams, he was suddenly deemed too small and physically ineffective to make the professional ranks, and was ignored by most of the country's top sides.

His tireless running, smart positional play and unquestionable appetite for the ball found a home at Ajax Cape Town, where it soon became apparent that the others clubs had made an error of judgement.

From Cape Town he moved in 2001 to Ajax Amsterdam, where he played regularly and successfully in the Dutch league, and earned a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

South Africa took him to the 2002 World Cup but as a junior squad member he got no playing time and little of a positive experience.

Pienaar found Germany tough, too, and his team mates cold, he has said in interviews. The style of football also passed over his head and left him often sidelined.

His career revived quickly at Everton, first on loan and then as an outright two-million-pound ($3.09-million) purchase by manager David Moyes.

Two full seasons since then have seen Pienaar become an invaluable team member at Goodison Park, despite a long-standing ankle problem that occasionally leaves him sidelined. (Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story pasarsport.blogspot.com )


 World-Factbox on South Africa


May 18 (Reuters) - Factbox on World Cup hosts South Africa who are competing in Group A at the finals:

Colours: Yellow shirts and socks, green shorts

Nickname: Bafana Bafana (the young lads)

Previous World Cup appearances: 2: 1998, 2002

Best World Cup performance: Failed to get past the first round in previous appearances

Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Most capped player: Aaron Mokoena 97

Top goalscorer: Benni McCarthy 31

Talking points:

South Africa are hoping the recall of McCarthy, left out of last year's Confederations Cup, will help to end a goal drought although he has lacked form and game time since joining West Ham in January.

Injury means the promising Morgan Gould misses out just when he looked to have gained a regular berth in defence alongside captain Aaron Mokoena. It is not clear who will be the first choice to replace him, with Parreira leaving out the best candidate, Spanish-based Nasief Morris who had a disciplinary issue last year.

Another possible candidate was not even considered: Mbulelo Mabizela, a former captain of the national side and arguably one of South Africa's top defenders, has a long history of getting into trouble, even being sacked by English club Tottenham, and Parreira would have nothing to do with him because of his poor disciplinary record.

Players to watch:

Everton's Steven Pienaar was ranked among the best players in the English Premier League this season but has yet to reproduce his club form at national team. He carries a large burden of expectation. Alongside him in midfield Teko Modise has plenty of potential but seems weighed down in recent times by all the attention he has received.

(Compiled by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Clare Fallon;


World-Penpix of South Africa squad


JOHANNESBURG, May 18 (Reuters) - Penpix of South Africa's preliminary, 30-man squad for the World Cup finals:

Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany). Goalkeeper. Born Feb. 28 1978. Caps: 23. Goals: 0.

Injury-prone goalkeeper who was South Africa's first choice when coach Carlos Alberto Parreira took over but has lost his place and gone through a myriad of knee troubles. A surprise inclusion in the preliminary squad given that he has played only 14 minutes of league football in Germany's second division this season.

Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates). Goalkeeper. Born May 19 1980 Caps: 16. Goals: 0.

A strong club season and injuries to other goalkeeping contenders make him now the second choice for the country. A little on the short side at 1.84 metres but plays with great agility and loads of passion.

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs). Goalkeeper. Born June 20 1987. Caps: 25. Goals: 0.

Was called up to the South African squad before he had even played a senior game at club level but the potential spotted then has been realised with his elevation to first choice in the team. Slept in train stations so he could get to practice on time at his club while in the Chiefs' youth academy

Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 26 1981. Caps: 0. Goals: 0.

Added to the squad after Emile Baron hurt his shoulder at March's training camp in Brazil and was ruled out of the World Cup. Cape Town-born Walters demanded a loan move away from his club Bloemfontein Celtic in December when he lost his place in the first team to a goalkeeper from Cameroon.

Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns). Defender. Born March 14 1977. Caps: 27. Goals: 1.

Stands close to two metres tall and has become an iconic symbol in the team as one of the few white players but has a huge following among black fans. His surname is chanted every time he touches the ball, which sounds like a barracking but is symbolic of the endearment he commands.

Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel). Defender. Oct. 31 1983. Caps: 13. Goals: 0.

Fransman was a late inclusion in the squad after injury to Morgan Gould, having surprisingly been left out of the original line-up by coach Parreira. A lanky and slight defender, he is the author of some spectacular long-range goals. He played briefly in Belgium before returning home but moved on to Israel in 2008.

Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns). Defender. Born April 6 1984. Caps: 35. Goals: 0.

Hard-running right back who is an added foil on the attack but by his own admission needs to work on his crosses. He and striker Katlego Mphela cost a South African record fee of five million rand (about 500 000 euro) when they moved from champions SuperSport United to neighbours Sundowns two years ago.

Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United). Defender. Born Jan. 6 1987. Caps: 11. Goals: 0.

Studious captain of South Africa's triple league champions whose club turned down a 700,000-euro offer from Greek champions Panathinaikos to keep him in South Africa. His mother died during last year's Confederation Cup but he insisted on going on with the tournament.

Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa). Defender. Born May 5 1985. Caps: 29. Goals: 0.

First-choice left back who is one of the team's top performers, having won the Israeli league title with his club last season and competed in the UEFA Champions League against Juventus and Bayern Munich this past season. Made his national-team debut while still on the books of a second-division team.

Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates). Defender. Born Nov. 12 1985. Caps: 11. Goals: 0.

Tough-tackling, often reckless defender, who provides cover in both fullback berths but is on the fringes of selection to the final 23-man squad. Injury and a change of clubs threatened his chances of inclusion but he has bounced back strongly in recent months.

Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England). Defender. Born Nov. 25 1980. Caps: 97. Goals: 1.

South Africa's captain still holds the record as the country's youngest international after getting his first cap soon after his 18th birthday in February 1999. Ajax Amsterdam was his first European club and he has since played in Belgium and at Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. Nicknamed 'Mabazo', the Zulu word for axe.

Bryce Moon (PAOK Salonika, Greece). Defender. Born April 6 1986. Caps: 17. Goals: 1.

Plays either at right back or in right midfield, where he started his career before being converted into a defender. Left after completing school in South Africa to play at Coleraine in Northern Ireland before returning home to Ajax Cape Town. Two years ago he went to Panathinaikos in Greece but had little game time and was loaned this past season to PAOK, where he also appeared infrequently.

Anele Ngcongoa (Racing Genk, Belgium). Defender. Born Oct. 21 1987. Caps: 3. Goals: 0.

Unknown in his own country, having left as a teenager to play in Belgium without ever having played in South Africa's premier league. Made his debut last November in an international against Japan and did enough to convince coach Parreira that he might provide good cover at right back or for the central defenders, which is his preferred position.

Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows). Defender. Born Sept. 29 1981. Caps: 8. Goals: 0.

Has emerged as potential starter alongside Mokoena at centre back because of injury to Morgan Gould and the surprise exclusion of Nasief Morris. Elder of two brothers who compete in South Africa's premier league, he has proved a steely defender whose height and pace make him a fearsome prospect.

Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates). Defender. Born Oct. 19 1981. Caps: 21. Goals: 1.

A popular player with the popular Pirates, for whom he was top goal scorer in the 2008/2009 season. Plays usually in centre of the defence but also at left back for the national side. Injury ruled him out of the Confederations Cup squad last year.

Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns). Midfielder. Born May 10 1983. Caps: 4. Goals: 0.

Left wing with plenty of pace and powerful running style who has been a late contender for a place in the squad. He made his first appearance as a substitute against Norway in Oslo in October. Moved from Ajax Cape Town to big-spending Sundowns in December in a surprise mid-season transfer.

Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town). Midfielder. Born April 11 1985. Caps: 23. Goals: 0.

Strong tackler and good passer of the ball who was a teenage prodigy. He was whisked from Cape Town to 1860 Munich aged 16 and made his Bundesliga debut two years later in the derby against Bayern. His career has tailed off since with stints in Sweden and a return to South Africa at the start of 2009. He has ambitions of returning to Europe after the World Cup.

Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England). Midfielder. Born Nov. 24 1984. Caps: 33. Goals: 2.

Burly, one-time podgy, engine room of the South Africa who won the battle of the bulge that threatened a promising early career and has gone on to win a contract in the English Premier League. His ability to win tackles and move forward rapidly with the ball will be one of the features of South Africa's approach at the World Cup. Comes from the rural setting of Brandfort in the Free State province but now lives in London.

Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates). Midfielder. Born April 10 1990. Caps: 3. Goals: 0

Graduate from the under-20 side that represented South Africa at last year's World under-20 Championship in Egypt. Came to prominence as he helped second division Pretoria University to a surprise cup-final appearance last May with his midfield craft and was then snapped up by Pirates. Made his national team debut in January.

Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows). Midfielder. Born May 23 1986. Caps: 6. Goals: 0.

Surprise selection by coach Parreira after the defensive midfielder's strong tackling and astute passing caught the Brazilian's eye. Khuboni has played in five successive internationals since his January debut for Bafana Bafana.

Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs). Midfielder. Born June 9 1982. Caps: 10. Goals: 0.

Midfielder who likes to push forward into attack in a playmaking role but can also be utilised in a holding role in the middle of the field. Made his debut two years ago after Chiefs rescued him from relegated Jomo Cosmos and suddenly gave him a platform at the highest level of the domestic game.

Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates). Midfielder. Born Dec. 22 1982. Caps: 49. Goals: 9.

Popular pin-up boy of the team, whose image will look out across the country from hundreds of advertising billboards. A late bloomer, he has hardly missed an international since his debut three years ago. His game is full of guile and skill but he is often wasted in a wide role on the left side.

Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns). Midfielder. Born March 20 1980. Caps: 31. Goals: 4.

Timed to perfection his return from nine months out following knee surgery and has worked his way back into the squad after missing last June's Confederation Cup.

His languid-looking style is deceptive for a player with bags of ability and a proven goal-scoring record but he is best played behind the strikers. He is a past winner of South Africa's footballer of the year award.

Steven Pienaar (Everton, England). Midfielder. Born March 17 1982. Caps: 47. Goals: 2.

Potential talisman of the team who goes to the World Cup on the back of an outstanding season for his English Premier League side. He is the most successful of South Africa's current foreign-based players and will likely run the midfield or play on the right side. Hails from a tough Johannesburg neighbourhood, has an outgoing personality and is popular among team mates for his sense of humour.

MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia). Midfielder. Born Nov. 25 1977. Caps: 56. Goals: 0.

A key ball-winner in midfield for the team but might not make the starting line-up if South Africa play with just one defensive midfielder. Has won two successive Russian championships with unfashionable Rubin Kazan, where he has been since 2003, but not played much since the start of the 2010 campaign, leaving questions about his fitness for the World Cup. Played at the 2002 tournament in South Korea.

Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs). Midfielder. Born Sept. 25 1984. Caps: 45. Goals: 6.

Speedy left wing who has bagged some outstanding goals for his country but is frustratingly inconsistent and moves in and out of the starting line-up. Has been a regular in the squad since being included as a surprise selection for the 2006 African Nations Cup finals in Egypt.

Benni McCarthy (West Ham United, England). Forward. Born Nov. 12 1977. Caps: 78. Goals: 31.

Scored against his idol Peter Schmeichel at the 1998 World Cup in France and has gone on to become the record scorer for South Africa's national team. He has had a tempestuous relationship with Bafana Bafana, quitting several times to advance his own agenda and being left out for the Confederations Cup last year. Even without much game time this season, he will be the player on whom South African hopes will be firmly pinned.

Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns). Forward. Born Nov. 29 1984. Caps: 28. Goals: 11.

Speedy striker whose pace gives him plenty of chances but whose conversion rate is not strong. He was, nevertheless, the leading scorer in the South African season with 17 goals and scored twice against Spain in dramatic style in last year's Confederations Cup. As a teenager he left without playing any senior soccer in South Africa to join French club Racing Strasbourg but returned home in 2005 after having failed to make the grade.

Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows). Forward. Born Dec. 2 1977. Caps: 75. Goals: 16.

Fast striker in the twilight of his career whose inclusion in the squad comes after good league form in the last months of the South African season and the desperate search by Bafana Bafana for a goal scorer. Nomvete's chances of making the 23-man squad were enhanced with goal against Jamaica in a recent friendly in Germany. He played in Italy's Serie A and at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea.

Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands). Forward. Born March 16 1986. Caps: 26. Goals: 8.

Fast, but something of a lightweight, and is likely to partner McCarthy in attack. Part of the Twente side that has won a rare Dutch title under former England manager Steve McClaren but he spent most of the season being used as a substitute.

(Compiled by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)


World-Profile of host nation South Africa


May 18 (Reuters) - Key facts on 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa:

* GEOGRAPHY:

-- South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa, with almost 2,800 kilometres of coastline from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. At 1.22 million square kilometres it is roughly the size of France, Italy and Spain combined.

-- It is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the east by Mozambique and Swaziland and encircles the kingdom of Lesotho.

-- The country is divided into nine provinces, with Gauteng, which includes industrial and financial centre Johannesburg and capital Pretoria, being the smallest by land size but the richest and most populated. It is also home to three of the 10 stadiums for the World Cup.

-- Johannesburg with 9 million people, is the largest city.

-- Cape Town, in the southwest, is the biggest tourist draw and will host a semi-final within sight of famous Table Mountain.

* PEOPLE

-- 49.32 million people, largely housed in the northern and western parts of the country. South Africa also hosts millions of immigrants and refugees from other African countries, lured by its relative wealth and open-door policy.

-- South Africa has 11 official languages and while English is the main one for business, it is only the fifth most commonly spoken. The others are Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda and Southern Ndebele.

-- Just under 80 percent of the population is black, with whites and mixed-race "coloureds" making up about nine percent each and Asian about 2.6 percent. Wealth is still skewed in the hands of the white population 16 years after apartheid ended.

-- Nearly a third of the population is under the age of 15 and almost 70 percent under 35.

* ECONOMY

-- Nominal GDP was 2.4 trillion rand at the end of 2009, about $320 million, making it Africa's biggest economy.

-- Annual GDP per capita is about $6,300.

-- South Africa's economy emerged from its first recession in 17 years in the third quarter of 2009, after averaging around five percent growth a year for the previous five years. The economy contracted 1.8 percent last year.

-- Economists say the World Cup will add between 0.3 and 0.7 percentage points to economic growth this year. Forecasts of growth for 2010 are between 2.3 and 3.0 percent.

Accounting group Grant Thornton estimates an expected 373,000 foreigners -- about 100,000 from other African countries -- should inject 13 billion rand into the economy during the month-long tournament.

National and regional government and city councils have spent about 40 billion rand to prepare for the event.

-- The government and its utilities are to spend 846 billion rand over the next three years to boost infrastructure, including a huge upgrade of roads and highways around major cities and a fast rail system linking Johannesburg's airport, financial centre Sandton and Pretoria.

However, only one section of the "Gautrain" will be finished in time for the tournament, linking the airport to Sandton, an affluent suburb.

-- South Africa is mineral-rich, producing about 75 percent of the world's platinum, and remains a major producer of gold despite output falling sharply over the past two decades.

-- Unemployment is a major problem, with the official jobless rate climbing to 25.2 percent at the end of March. The high jobless rate is seen as a catalyst for high levels of crime.

-- Tourism is an important source of income, with more than 10 million foreigners visiting in 2009, an increase of 3.8 percent on the previous year despite a weak global economy.

Officials hope a successful World Cup will attract millions more visitors over the next five years, lured by sprawling game parks and white, sandy beaches.

* POLITICS

Nelson Mandela's African National Congress, which led the country out of apartheid in 1994, has dominated power ever since, although it has internal divisions. President Jacob Zuma, the fourth head of state in democratic South Africa, has courted controversy because of his polygamous marriages and extra-marital affairs.

* MAIN ISSUES

AIDS: South Africa, with more than five million people estimated to be infected with HIV, has the world's largest AIDS caseload.

POVERTY: Life expectancy at birth is 53.5 years for males and 57.2 years for females. The latest U.N. Human Development Report ranks South Africa at 129 of 182 countries.

CRIME: South Africa has some of the highest rates of murder and rape in the world. There were 18,143 murders in 2008/9, more than 35,000 reported rapes and around 15,000 carjackings.

ENERGY: A chronic energy shortfall affected the country in 2008, cutting production in the key mining sector and regularly plunged millions of homes into darkness last year. Ageing infrastructure and cable theft often leave swathes of Johannesburg in the dark.

Utility Eskom and the World Cup's local organising committee have vowed, though, that there will not be disruptions during the tournament, with huge diesel generators at all stadiums.

WEATHER:

-- South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, meaning this will be the first winter World Cup since Argentina in 1978.

-- Temperatures and rainfall vary between the highveld region of Johannesburg and Pretoria, where -- at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level -- winters are cold and dry, tropical Durban which is warmer and more humid and windy Cape Town with its grey and wet winters.

* SPORT

-- South Africans are sports-mad, with soccer the most popular, especially among blacks, and cricket and rugby also followed passionately, predominantly by whites.

-- The country's Springboks rugby team are the world champions and have won that prize twice in the last four tournaments, while its Proteas cricket team are one of the world's top-ranked, although they have never won a World Cup.

-- The national soccer team, affectionately known as Bafana Bafana (The Boys), have not fared as well. They are ranked 90th in the world but have set themselves the target of making it through the first round of the tournament, to avoid being the first host nation to fail to do so. (Compiled by Gordon Bell; editing by Barry Moody

 Uruguay
World-Uruguay hope to recapture former glory in S.Africa 


By Conrado Hornos

MONTEVIDEO, May 18 (Reuters) - With a mixture of outstanding strikers, young talent and their traditional grit, Uruguay hope they can take a step in South Africa towards restoring some of their former soccer glory.

If the prospect of lifting the World Cup again, as they did in 1930 and 1950, might be a dream too far, the players still have the ability to be a surprise in the tournament.

The task will not be easy. La Celeste's Group A opponents are 2006 runners-up France, hosts South Africa, and Mexico.

"We must go to the World Cup with expectations because we have players who are in the important leagues along with other players from the elite teams," coach Oscar Tabarez said in a recent interview with Reuters.

"I have the hope that we could be a surprise, although at no time are we going to be believe that we are the favourites or think we are champions."

Among Uruguay's leading players is Diego Forlan of Atletico Madrid who has topped La Liga's scorers' chart twice and won Europe's Golden Boot twice. There is also Luis Suarez of Ajax, top scorer in the Dutch top flight this season with 35 goals.

Another attacking option is Sebastian Abreu of Brazil's Botafogo, who is the top scorer among active Uruguay players with 24 goals in 55 internationals.

Captain Diego Lugano of Turkish side Fenerbahce is a natural leader with a temperament that epitomises the gritty spirit of Uruguay's football. In the same mould is midfielder Diego Perez, of Monaco, who fights for every ball.

With more temperament than technique, the little country that slew mighty Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 1950, won the Copa America 14 times and still inspires respect in opponents, must overcome the notion that they are a team of the past.

"We play strongly and we have done for many years. The team have players who know how to play good football and we hope to do so at the World Cup," Forlan said.

In recent decades La Celeste have appeared in only the 1990 and 2002 World Cups and they reached South Africa after an erratic qualifying road. Getting to the second round will be an important achievement.

The last time they reached the last eight was in 1990, when Tabarez was also coach, and they have not made the semi-finals since Mexico in 1970. (Writing by Angus MacSwan; Editing by Rex Gowar and Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com) 

 World-Factbox on Uruguay

May 18 (Reuters) - Factbox on Uruguay who are in Group A at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: Light blue shirts, black shorts, black socks.

Nickname: La Celeste (the light blue)

Previous World Cup appearances - 10: 1930, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1986, 1990, 2002

Best World Cup performance: winners 1930, 1950

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez

Most capped player: Rodolfo Rodriguez 78

Top goalscorer: Hector Scarone 31

Talking points:

Uruguay have a more settled squad than they have had for a long time, due largely to the unprecedented continuity in modern times that coach Tabarez has had in the job throughout this World Cup cycle of four years. This means his selection policy has strong foundations and his tactics have been well rehearsed, making the Uruguayans a more dangerous prospect than they have been since they reached the 1970 semi-finals.

Players to watch:

Rugged defender and captain Diego Lugano for leadership, young midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro for creative moves and strike pair Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez for speed and goals. (Compiled by Rex Gowar; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
 
  
World-Penpix of Uruguay squad 


MONTEVIDEO, May 18 (Reuters) - Penpix of Uruguay's 26-man provisional squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Fernando Muslera (Lazio). Goalkeeper. Born June 16 1986. Caps: 5.

Made his debut in October and played in the last four qualifiers including the two-leg playoff against Costa Rica. Despite his youth, his all-round ability gave the team security in a position which had not been settled in earlier qualifiers.

Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali). Goalkeeper. Born April 17 1978. Caps: 11.

Likes to come off his line, but errors cost him his place in the run-in to the qualifying berth. First came in for veteran Fabian Carini in September 2007 and played in eight qualifiers altogether although he had a long spell out with a knee injury when he was replaced by Sebastian Viera.

Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting). Goalkeeper. Born March 25 1983. Caps: 1.

Won his only cap in a friendly against Algeria last August but is well imbued with system of coach Oscar Washington Tabarez, having played a full part in the juniors.

Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce). Defender. Born Nov. 2 1980. Caps: 41. Goals: 4.

The team's captain represents the traditional Uruguayan style of play based more on temperament and strength rather than refined technique. He fights hard for every ball, making his presence felt at the back and pushing forward when the team are down.

Diego Godin (Villarreal). Defender. Born Feb. 16 1986. Caps: 37. Goals: 3.

Belongs to a select group of about a dozen players who have been with Tabarez from the start of the coach's tenure. Keeps a low profile but is a physical defender with good control.

Andres Scotti (Colo Colo). Defender. Born Dec. 14 1975. Caps: 25. Goals: 1.

Another Tabarez favourite who uses his 1.83-metres height to good effect both in defence and attack and rarely makes mistakes. An extrovert who keeps the mood light in the squad.

Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile). Defender. Born Oct. 11 1982. Caps: 4.

After winning his first two caps in 2006, he returned for the two-leg playoff against Costa Rica last November. He is a strong, mobile marker good at helping to organise the defence.

Martin Caceres (Juventus). Defender. Born April 7 1987. Caps: 18.

Long-haired central defender who stood out in the qualifiers, starting 12 of the last 14 before an injury put him out for the playoff. Can also play on the flank which he did for Barcelona and has done for Juve.

Jorge Fucile (Porto). Defender. Born Nov. 19 1984. Caps: 24.

A fast, versatile full back who can play on either flank, he is part of the strong South American contingent at Porto.

Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica). Defender/midfielder. Born June 8 1984. Caps: 36.

Nicknamed "Mono" (monkey), he stands out for his marking more than his attacking as a wing back and has generally been first choice under Tabarez although he has had injury problems.

Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm). Midfielder. Born Jan. 8 1981. Caps: 26. Goals: 5.

A strong ball winner who played in most of the qualifiers while he was at Villarreal but left for Sweden to ensure regular games ahead of the World Cup. More likely a reserve in the finals.

Alvaro Pereira (Porto). Midfielder. Born Nov. 28 1985. Caps: 14. Goals: 1.

A regular in the qualifiers last year after making his debut in a friendly against France in 2008. Wide midfielder who combines well with the strikers on the flanks. Nicknamed "Palito" (little stick).

Walter Gargano (Napoli). Midfielder. Born July 23 1984. Caps: 27.

Holding midfielder with good technique and distribution who ensures the team stick to their tactical plan.

Diego Perez (AS Monaco). Midfielder. Born May 18 1980. Caps 49.

Dependable midfield strongman who stands between the defence and the opposition attack, also good moving forward, he covers a lot of ground. Made his debut in 2001. Nicknamed "Ruso" (Russian).

Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile). Midfielder. Born Oct. 11 1985. Caps: 7.

Fast, 1.85 metres tall, he stands out for his quick movement from defence into attack. Has played in Mexico and helped Nacional to reach last year's Libertadores Cup semi-finals before moving to Chile. Nicknamed "Pajaro" (bird).

Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional). Midfielder. Born Oct. 29 1984. Caps: 11.

A right wing back with good defensive skills who likes to get forward into scoring positions, he was generally used from the bench during the qualifiers. Played for Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup in 2007.

Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate, Uruguay). Midfielder. Born Jan. 13 1985. Caps: 7.

Versatile midfielder comfortable defending, holding the ball, or creating chances up front.

Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax). Midfielder. Born March 2 1989. Caps: 3.

The new hope of Uruguayan football, a skilful, creative player in the traditional South American number 10 mould who was plucked from the under-20 team for the playoff games against Costa Rica. Struggled to settle in at Ajax this season but is expected to regain his rhythm in the build-up to the finals.

Jorge Martinez (Catania). Midfielder. Born April 4 1983. Caps: 14. Goals: 1.

Another creative midfielder who plays in the middle behind the strikers. Talented, capable of unsettling defences but erratic in his performances.

Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol). Midfielder. Born Jan. 1 1982. Caps: 5.

Won his caps in Tabarez's first year in charge and has re-emerged thanks to some fine performances for Penarol as playmaker in the team's unbeaten run to the Clausura title. Earned a recall against Switzerland in March when he came on as a substitute.

Ignacio Gonzalez (Levadiakos). Midfielder. Born May 14 1982. Caps: 20. Goals: 1.

"Nacho" is a creative midfielder recalled in March for the first time since September 2008 but unable to play because of a back problem.

Luis Suarez (Ajax). Forward. Born Jan. 24 1987. Caps: 29. Goals: 10.

The Dutch league's top scorer this season with 35 goals, he also scored two in Ajax's 4-1 Dutch Cup final victory over Feyenoord. A fast striker who likes to pick up the ball deep and attack from the wings. Nicknamed "Salto" after the town he is from.

Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid). Forward. Born May 19 1979. Caps: 61. Goals: 23.

The team's talismanic player, twice top scorer in Spain's La Liga and twice winner of Europe's Golden Boot, he is going to his second World Cup after 2002, where he played and scored in the second half of Uruguay's last group game before they were eliminated. A cool-headed finisher who scores from close in or outside the box. His girlfriend is Argentine model Zaira Nara.

Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo). Forward. Born Oct. 17 1976. Caps: 55. Goals: 24.

Charismatic, lanky, 1.93-metre striker nicknamed "El Loco" who has played for a dozen clubs in different countries, adept at keeping defenders busy in the box at set pieces. As Uruguay's "super-sub", he came on and headed the goal at home to Costa Rica that secured their qualification in the November playoff.

Edinson Cavani (Palermo). Forward. Born Feb. 14 1987. Caps: 13. Goals 2.

Known at "El Matador", he moved to Europe from Danubio at 20. Fast with good close control, difficult to dispossess, he is also a good header.

Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield). Forward. Born May 23 1985. Caps: 6.

Small, nippy forward who helped his club to win the Argentine Apertura championship in December, their first league title. A good understudy, he has played in five friendlies and one qualifier as a substitute in the away leg of the playoff against Costa Rica. (Compiled by Conrado Hornos; Writing by Rex Gowar in Buenos Aires; Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)



World-Uruguay's route to the World Cup finals

May 18 (Reuters) - Uruguay's route to the World Cup finals
in South Africa from June 11 to July 11:


HOW THEY QUALIFIED

South American group

P W D L F A Pts

1 Brazil 18 9 7 2 33 11 34

2 Chile 18 10 3 5 32 22 33

3 Paraguay 18 10 3 5 24 16 33

4 Argentina 18 8 4 6 23 20 28

5 Uruguay 18 6 6 6 28 20 24

6 Ecuador 18 6 5 7 22 26 23

7 Colombia 18 6 5 7 14 18 23

8 Venezuela 18 6 4 8 23 29 22

9 Bolivia 18 4 3 11 22 36 15

10 Peru 18 3 4 11 11 34 13

5: qualify for two-legged playoff

- -

World Cup qualifier (WCQ): 14.06.08

Uruguay 1 Venezuela 1

In Montevideo

Scorers:

Uruguay: Diego Lugano 12

Venezuela: Ronald Vargas 55

- -

WCQ: 17.06.08

Uruguay 6 Peru 0

In Montevideo

Scorers: Diego Forlan 8, 37pen, 56, Carlos Bueno 61, 69,
Sebastian Abreu 90

- -

WCQ: 06.09.08

Colombia 0 Uruguay 1

In Bogota

Scorer: Sebastian Eguren 15

- -

WCQ: 10.09.08

Uruguay 0 Ecuador 0

In Montevideo

- -

WCQ: 11.10.08

Argentina 2 Uruguay 1

In Buenos Aires

Scorers:

Argentina: Lionel Messi 5, Sergio Aguero 12

Uruguay: Diego Lugano 39

- -

WCQ: 14.10.08

Bolivia 2 Uruguay 2

In La Paz

Scorers:

Bolivia: Marcelo Martins 15, 41

Uruguay: Carlos Bueno 64, Sebastian Abreu 88

- -

WCQ: 28.03.09

Uruguay 2 Paraguay 0

In Montevideo

Scorers: Diego Forlan 28, Diego Lugano 57

- -

WCQ: 01.04.09

Chile 0 Uruguay 0

In Santiago

- -

WCQ: 06.06.09

Uruguay 0 Brazil 4

In Montevideo

Scorers: Daniel Alves 12, Juan 36, Luis Fabiano 52, Kaka
75pen

- -

WCQ: 10.06.09

Venezuela 2 Uruguay 2

In Puerto Ordaz

Scorers:

Venezuela: Giancarlo Maldonado 9, Jose Manuel Rey 74

Uruguay: Luis Suarez 60, Diego Forlan 72

- -

WCQ: 05.09.09

Peru 1 Uruguay 0

In Lima

Scorer: Hernan Rengifo 86

- -

WCQ: 09.09.09

Uruguay 3 Colombia 1

In Montevideo

Scorers:

Uruguay: Luis Suarez 7, Andres Scotti 77, Sebastian Eguren
87

Colombia: Jackson Martinez 63

- -

WCQ: 10.10.09

Ecuador 1 Uruguay 2

In Quito

Scorers:

Ecuador: Luis Valencia 68

Uruguay: Luis Suarez 69, Diego Forlan 90+3pen

- -

WCQ: 14.10.09

Uruguay 0 Argentina 1

In Montevideo

Scorer: Mario Bolatti 84

- - - -

PLAYOFF

WCQ: 14.11.09

Costa Rica 0 Uruguay 1

In San Jose

Scorer: Diego Lugano 22

- -

WCQ: 18.11.09

Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 1

In Montevideo

Scorers:

Uruguay: Sebastian Abreu 70

Costa Rica: Walter Centeno 73

- - - -

(Editing by Tom Pilcher)






france skuad

World-France believe in destiny despite the gloom

By Patrick Vignal

PARIS, May 18 (Reuters) - If sky-high confidence and squad tranquility is needed for a successful World Cup, France should probably prepare to leave the finals in South Africa early.

The former champions have under-performed since reaching the final of the 2006 World Cup and needed a goal marred by that infamous Thierry Henry handball to qualify for this one.

Coach Raymond Domenech, who was left in charge despite the early exit from Euro 2008, is extremely unpopular, booed at every match and will quit after the tournament, whatever the outcome.

The replacement for magician Zinedine Zidane, who signed off with a headbutt and defeat by Italy on penalties in the 2006 final, is nowhere to be seen, and it does not stop there.

The news that Franck Ribery, the closest thing to a Zidane that France have these days, was heard as a witness by police investigating a prostitution network added to the gloom surrounding the team's prospects.

The ever-surprising Domenech nevertheless believes the light will shine through in South Africa.

"I'm convinced this team have a date with destiny in 2010," said the France coach, who has a passion for astrology.

The chances of France making an impact at the World Cup looked small when they were outclassed 2-0 by European champions Spain in their last outing in March. They looked like sluggish middle-aged men struggling against energetic boys.

They have plenty of talent, however, and could go a long way if the likes of playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, not to mention Ribery, rise to the occasion.

They also have a world-class goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris, a manageable group featuring South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay to deal with and, last but not least, wounded pride to heal.

The France players will need, however, to deflate their oversized egos, work as a team for a change and fight like lions.

"They must be clever and forget their ego to realise that the only thing that matters is the team, not them," Domenech said. "If they don't understand that, I will need a gun." (Editing by Robert Woodward; To query or comment on this story email pasarsport.blogspot.com)


worldcup 2010 group A

www.pasarsport.blogspot.com