2010 fifa world cup south africa™...2010/05/27 · history of the competition, before eking out a...

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™

Matches Statistical Kit 2 (To be used in conjunction with Team Kits)

Last update: 15 April 2010

Communications & Public Affairs Division – Content Management Services 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ 2 Last Updated: 15.04.2010

Contents

Match schedule ...................................................................................................................................4 Head-to-Heads.....................................................................................................................................7 11 June 2010........................................................................................................................................7

South Africa – Mexico..................................................................................................................................7 Uruguay – France.........................................................................................................................................8

12 June 2010........................................................................................................................................9 Argentina – Nigeria ......................................................................................................................................9 Korea Republic – Greece ............................................................................................................................10 England – USA...........................................................................................................................................11

13 June 2010......................................................................................................................................12 Algeria – Slovenia ......................................................................................................................................12 Germany - Australia ...................................................................................................................................12 Serbia – Ghana ..........................................................................................................................................13

14 June 2010......................................................................................................................................13 Netherlands – Denmark .............................................................................................................................13 Japan – Cameroon.....................................................................................................................................15 Italy – Paraguay..........................................................................................................................................16

15 June 2010......................................................................................................................................16 New Zealand – Slovakia .............................................................................................................................16 Côte d'Ivoire - Portugal ..............................................................................................................................17 Brazil - Korea DPR ......................................................................................................................................17

16 June 2010......................................................................................................................................18 Honduras - Chile ........................................................................................................................................18 Spain - Switzerland ....................................................................................................................................19 South Africa - Uruguay ..............................................................................................................................20

17 June 2010......................................................................................................................................21 France - Mexico..........................................................................................................................................21 Greece - Nigeria .........................................................................................................................................22 Argentina - Korea Republic ........................................................................................................................22

18 June 2010......................................................................................................................................23 Germany - Serbia .......................................................................................................................................23 Slovenia - USA ...........................................................................................................................................24 England - Algeria .......................................................................................................................................25

19 June 2010......................................................................................................................................25 Ghana - Australia .......................................................................................................................................25 Netherlands - Japan ...................................................................................................................................26 Cameroon - Denmark ................................................................................................................................26

20 June 2010......................................................................................................................................27 Slovakia - Paraguay ....................................................................................................................................27 Italy - New Zealand ....................................................................................................................................27 Brazil - Côte d'Ivoire...................................................................................................................................28

21 June 2010......................................................................................................................................28 Portugal - Korea DPR .................................................................................................................................28 Chile - Switzerland.....................................................................................................................................29 Spain - Honduras .......................................................................................................................................29


22 June 2010......................................................................................................................................30 Mexico - Uruguay ......................................................................................................................................30 France - South Africa .................................................................................................................................31 Nigeria - Korea Republic.............................................................................................................................32 Greece - Argentina ....................................................................................................................................32

23 June 2010......................................................................................................................................33 Slovenia - England .....................................................................................................................................33 USA - Algeria .............................................................................................................................................33 Ghana - Germany ......................................................................................................................................34 Australia - Serbia........................................................................................................................................34

24 June 2010......................................................................................................................................35 Slovakia - Italy ............................................................................................................................................35 Paraguay - New Zealand ............................................................................................................................35 Denmark - Japan........................................................................................................................................36 Cameroon - Netherlands............................................................................................................................36

25 June 2010......................................................................................................................................37 Portugal - Brazil..........................................................................................................................................37 Korea DPR - Côte d'Ivoire...........................................................................................................................38 Chile - Spain ..............................................................................................................................................38 Switzerland-Honduras................................................................................................................................39

Glossary AET: after extra time PSO: penalty shoot-out MP: number of matches played W: wins D: draws L: losses FWC: FIFA World Cup™ Note: Country names in bold in HTH table indicate the winner


Match schedule First stage - Group A Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 11.06.2010 South Africa - Mexico JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 1 16:00 11.06.2010 Uruguay - France CAPE TOWN (RSA) 2 20:30 16.06.2010 South Africa - Uruguay TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 17 20:30 17.06.2010 France - Mexico POLOKWANE (RSA) 18 20:30 22.06.2010 Mexico - Uruguay RUSTENBURG (RSA) 33 16:00 22.06.2010 France - South Africa MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 34 16:00

First stage - Group B Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 12.06.2010 Argentina - Nigeria JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 3 16:00 12.06.2010 Korea Republic - Greece NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 4 13:30 17.06.2010 Greece - Nigeria MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 19 16:00 17.06.2010 Argentina - Korea Republic JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 20 13:30 22.06.2010 Nigeria - Korea Republic DURBAN (RSA) 35 20:30 22.06.2010 Greece - Argentina POLOKWANE (RSA) 36 20:30

First stage - Group C Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 12.06.2010 England - USA RUSTENBURG (RSA) 5 20:30 13.06.2010 Algeria - Slovenia POLOKWANE (RSA) 6 13:30 18.06.2010 Slovenia - USA JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 22 16:00 18.06.2010 England - Algeria CAPE TOWN (RSA) 23 20:30 23.06.2010 Slovenia - England NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 37 16:00 23.06.2010 USA - Algeria TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 38 16:00

First stage - Group D Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 13.06.2010 Germany - Australia DURBAN (RSA) 7 20:30 13.06.2010 Serbia - Ghana TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 8 16:00 18.06.2010 Germany - Serbia NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 21 13:30 19.06.2010 Ghana - Australia RUSTENBURG (RSA) 24 16:00 23.06.2010 Ghana - Germany JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 39 20:30 23.06.2010 Australia - Serbia NELSPRUIT (RSA) 40 20:30


First stage - Group E Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 14.06.2010 Netherlands - Denmark JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 9 13:30 14.06.2010 Japan - Cameroon MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 10 16:00 19.06.2010 Netherlands - Japan DURBAN (RSA) 25 13:30 19.06.2010 Cameroon - Denmark TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 26 20:30 24.06.2010 Denmark - Japan RUSTENBURG (RSA) 43 20:30 24.06.2010 Cameroon - Netherlands CAPE TOWN (RSA) 44 20:30

First stage - Group F Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 14.06.2010 Italy - Paraguay CAPE TOWN (RSA) 11 20:30 15.06.2010 New Zealand - Slovakia RUSTENBURG (RSA) 12 13:30 20.06.2010 Slovakia - Paraguay MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 27 13:30 20.06.2010 Italy - New Zealand NELSPRUIT (RSA) 28 16:00 24.06.2010 Slovakia - Italy JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 41 16:00 24.06.2010 Paraguay - New Zealand POLOKWANE (RSA) 42 16:00

First stage - Group G Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 15.06.2010 Cote d'Ivoire - Portugal NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 13 16:00 15.06.2010 Brazil - Korea DPR JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 14 20:30 20.06.2010 Brazil - Cote d'Ivoire JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 29 20:30 21.06.2010 Portugal - Korea DPR CAPE TOWN (RSA) 30 13:30 25.06.2010 Portugal - Brazil DURBAN (RSA) 45 16:00 25.06.2010 Korea DPR - Cote d'Ivoire NELSPRUIT (RSA) 46 16:00

First stage - Group H Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 16.06.2010 Honduras - Chile NELSPRUIT (RSA) 15 13:30 16.06.2010 Spain - Switzerland DURBAN (RSA) 16 16:00 21.06.2010 Chile - Switzerland NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 31 16:00 21.06.2010 Spain - Honduras JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 32 20:30 25.06.2010 Chile - Spain TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 47 20:30 25.06.2010 Switzerland - Honduras MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 48 20:30


Second stage - Round of 16 Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 26.06.2010 1A - 2B NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 49 16:00 26.06.2010 1C - 2D RUSTENBURG (RSA) 50 20:30 27.06.2010 1D - 2C MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 51 16:00 27.06.2010 1B - 2A JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 52 20:30 28.06.2010 1E - 2F DURBAN (RSA) 53 16:00 28.06.2010 1G - 2H JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 54 20:30 29.06.2010 1F - 2E TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 55 16:00 29.06.2010 1H - 2G CAPE TOWN (RSA) 56 20:30

Second stage - Quarter-final Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 02.07.2010 W53 - W54 NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 57 16:00 02.07.2010 W49 - W50 JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 58 20:30 03.07.2010 W52 - W51 CAPE TOWN (RSA) 59 16:00 03.07.2010 W55 - W56 JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 60 20:30

Second stage - Semi-final Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 06.07.2010 W58 - W57 CAPE TOWN (RSA) 61 20:30 07.07.2010 W59 - W60 DURBAN (RSA) 62 20:30

Second stage - Match for third place Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 10.07.2010 L61 - L62 NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA) 63 20:30

Second stage - Final Date Match City (Country) Match No Time 11.07.2010 W61 - W62 JOHANNESBURG (RSA) 64 20:30


Head-to-Heads 11 June 2010 South Africa – Mexico JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Soccer City 16:00 Match #1 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 3 MEX - 2 Draws – 0 RSA - 1 Mexico v. South Africa (MEX v. RSA)

3 Matches:

Date Venue Team A Team B Result Competition Stage 06.10.1993 LOS

ANGELES Mexico South Africa 4:0 (0:0) Friendly 1993 A-Matches

07.06.2000 Cotton Bowl Mexico South Africa 4:2 (2:0) U.S. Cup 2000 08.07.2005 Home Depot

Center South Africa Mexico 2:1 (2:0) CONCACAF Gold Cup

2005 USA 1st Stage

MP W D L GF GA Mexico 3 2 0 1 9 4 South Africa 3 1 0 2 4 9

No home nation has lost in seven previous curtain-raisers involving the host side in this competition, the record standing at five victories (Italy 1934, Brazil 1950, Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and Germany 2006) and two draws, both of which finished 0-0. Those stalemates were fought out between England and Uruguay in 1966 and Mexico and the Soviet Union in 1970.

South Africa are the third African team to play the opening game of the FIFA World Cup. On both of the previous occasions, CAF sides edged a 1-0 win over the defending world champions. Cameroon managed it in 1990 against Argentina, before Senegal embarrassed holders France in 2002.

No other side has played as many curtain-raisers as Mexico. Making their 14th outing at the FIFA World Cup, ElTri will help kick off the competition for the fifth time when they take the field against South Africa. Nevertheless, the Central Americans are yet to taste victory in the event’s inaugural match, having been defeated 4-1 by France in 1930, 4-0 by Brazil in 1950, 3-0 by Sweden in 1958 and drawn 0-0 with the Soviet Union in 1970. Germany have played the second-highest number of tournament openers, with four.

The most frequent result in FIFA World Cup opening game is 1-0, which was the outcome on five occasions, followed by 0-0 which was the final scoreline in four consecutive editions between 1966 and 1978.

The three previous meetings between these two teams have never yielded fewer than three goals. The Central Americans secured 4-0 and 4-2 victories in 1993 and 2000 respectively, whereas Bafana Bafana triumphed 2-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2005.

Mexico are yet to get the better of African opposition at the FIFA World Cup. In two previous attempts Los Tricolores went down 3-1 against Tunisia in 1978, which was the first ever victory by an African side in the history of the competition, before eking out a 0-0 draw against Angola in 2006.

South Africa come face-to-face with CONCACAF opponents for the first time at the FIFA World Cup.

The 11th of June is a favourable date for Mexico in the history of world football’s premier tournament. On this day in 1958 Los Aztecas drew 1-1 with Wales to end a nine-match losing streak stretching back to the 1930 edition. The North Americans have also notched three wins on this date: 1-0 over Belgium in 1970, 1-0 over Iraq in 1986 and 3-1 over Iran in 2006.


11 June 2010 Uruguay – France CAPE TOWN (RSA) 20:30 Match #2 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 5 FRA – 1 Draws – 2 URU – 2

France v. Uruguay (FRA v. URU) 5 Matches: Date City (Country) Team A Team B Result Competition Stage

01.06.1924 PARIS (FRA) France Uruguay 1:5 (1:2) Olympic Football Tournament Paris 1924

First Stage

15.07.1966 LONDON (ENG) Uruguay France 2:1 (2:1) 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM)

Group Matches

21.08.1985 PARIS (FRA) France Uruguay 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 1985

06.06.2002 BUSAN (KOR) France Uruguay 0:0 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (TM) Group Stage

19.11.2008 SAINT-DENIS (FRA) France Uruguay 0:0 Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA France 5 1 2 2 4 7 Uruguay 5 2 2 1 7 4

This is the sixth showdown between these two sides. Uruguay have a marginally better head-to-head record with two victories to France’s one, plus two draws. In their two previous encounters at the FIFA World Cup, the South Americans edged a 2-1 win in 1966 before the sides scrapped to a goalless draw in 2002. The last meeting, a friendly played out in Saint Denis in 2008, also ended 0-0. This is the eighth time that two former World Champions are drawing swords in the first round, with five of the previous duels having finished honours even. France and Uruguay become the first former holders to meet each other twice. The results of the other matches were: Germany FR 0-0 Italy in 1962, Uruguay 0-0 Italy and Brazil 1-0 England in 1970, Italy 1-1 Argentina and Uruguay 1-1 Germany FR in 1986, France 0-0 Uruguay and England 1-0 Argentina in 2002. Uruguay make their return to football’s top table exactly eight years since playing their last match on 11 June 2002, when La Celeste salvaged a 3-3 draw with Senegal after clawing back a 3-0 deficit. France have not conceded a goal to CONMEBOL opposition in the FIFA World Cup since 1986, following Careca’s goal in the 1-1 quarter-final draw with Brazil, which Les Bleus went on to win on penalties. Since then they have picked up three victories and a draw against South American sides, with Fabien Barthez between the sticks on each occasion: 1-0 against Paraguay and 3-0 against Brazil in 1998, 0-0 with Uruguay in 2002 and another victory against Brazil in 2006, by a 1-0 scoreline. In fourteen matches played at the FIFA World Cup since 1974, Uruguay have mustered just one victory, a last-minute win over Korea Republic in 1990 courtesy of a strike from Daniel Fonseca. The man in the dugout that day was current coach Oscar Tabarez, in his first stint in charge of the senior national side.


12 June 2010 Argentina – Nigeria JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Ellis Park 16:00 Match #3 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 3 ARG – 2 Draws – 1 NGA – 0 Argentina v. Nigeria (ARG v. NGA)

3 Matches:

Date City (Country) Team A Team B Result Competition Stage

25.06.1994 BOSTON (USA) Argentina Nigeria 2:1 (2:1) 1994 FIFA World Cup USA (TM)

Group Matches

10.01.1995 RIYADH (KSA) Nigeria Argentina 0:0 Intercontinental Championship for the King Fahd Cup 1995

Group Stage

02.06.2002 IBARAKI (JPN) Argentina Nigeria 1:0 (0:0) 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (TM) Group Stage

MP W D L GF GA Argentina 3 2 1 0 3 1 Nigeria 3 0 1 2 1 3

Argentina are unbeaten in three previous encounters with Nigeria, having won 2-1 in the 1994 FIFA World Cup™, drawn 0-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup 1995 and beaten the African side 1-0 at Korea/Japan 2002.

Historical rivals in other FIFA competitions, Argentina and Nigeria have also gone toe-to-toe in three finals: at the Atlanta 1996 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament when the west Africans clinched top spot on the podium with a 3-2 win, at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2005 which ended in a 2-1 success to Argentina and again at the Olympic Games in 2008, when the South Americans grabbed the gold medal with a 1-0 victory in Beijing.

All four meetings between Argentina and African sides at the FIFA World Cup have been settled by the odd goal. After losing the curtain-raiser 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990, the South Americans went on to beat Nigeria 2-1 in 1994 and 1-0 in 2002, before outmuscling Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in 2006.

Nigeria’s last victory in the FIFA World Cup dates back to 19 June 1998, when they overcame Bulgaria 1-0. Since then the Super Eagles have stumbled to four defeats and a draw.

Argentina’s current head coach Diego Maradona earned the last of his 91 caps against none other than Nigeria, at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria’s Swedish strategist Lars Lagerback has already taken on the Albiceleste at the FIFA World Cup, back in 2002 when he sealed the South Americans’ elimination with a 1-1 draw in the last match of the first round.


12 June 2010 Korea Republic – Greece NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA)

13:30 Match #4 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 2 KOR – 1 Draws – 1 GRE – 0 Greece v. Korea Republic (GRE v. KOR)

2 Matches:


21.01.2006 RIYADH (KSA) Greece Korea Republic 1:1 (1:1) LG Cup Saudi Arabia 2006

Group Matches

06.02.2007 LONDON (ENG) Greece Korea Republic 0:1 (0:0) Friendly 2007

MP W D L GF GA Greece 2 0 1 1 1 2 Korea Republic 2 1 1 0 2 1

Korea Republic and Greece have squared off twice before, both friendly encounters played out on neutral territory. In 2006 the sides drew 1-1 in Riyadh, which was followed by a 1-0 Korean success in London in 2007.

Greece are one of six international sides, and the only one from Europe, to have participated in a previous edition of the FIFA World Cup without having netted a goal.

Korea Republic, who are playing their 25th match at football’s global showpiece, have contested more games in the history of the competition than any other Asian nation.

The only time the two associations met in a FIFA competition was in 2004 when they drew 2-2 in an Olympic Football Tournament group match in Thessaloniki.


12 June 2010 England – USA RUSTENBURG (RSA) 20:30 Match #5 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: 9 ENG – 7 Draws - 0 USA - 2 England v. USA (ENG v. USA)

9 Matches:


29.06.1950 BELO HORIZONTE (BRA) USA England 1:0 (1:0) 1950 FIFA World Cup

Brazil (TM) Group Matches

08.06.1953 NEW YORK (USA) USA England 3:6 (0:1) Friendly 1953

28.05.1959 LOS ANGELES (USA) USA England 1:8 (1:1) Friendly 1959

27.05.1964 NEW YORK (USA) USA England 0:10 (0:4) Friendly 1964

16.06.1985 LOS ANGELES (USA) USA England 0:5 (0:2) Friendly 1985

09.06.1993 BOSTON (USA) USA England 2:0 (1:0) U.S. Cup 1993

07.09.1994 LONDON (ENG) England USA 2:0 (2:0) Friendly 1994

28.05.2005 CHICAGO (USA) USA England 1:2 (0:2) Friendly 2005

28.05.2008 LONDON (ENG) England USA 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA England 9 7 0 2 35 8 USA 9 2 0 7 8 35

This is the tenth meeting between these two national sides, who have never shared a draw. The Three Lions have history on their side with seven victories to USA’s two. Nevertheless their debut encounter, the only one in the FIFA World Cup, ended in a shock 1-0 victory to the Stars and Stripes in 1950, courtesy of a goal by Joe Gaetjens.

Thanks to that upset in 1950, USA are the only CONCACAF side to have avoided defeat and scored against England in the FIFA World Cup. In 1966 Mexico went down 2-0 in London, before Trinidad and Tobago were overpowered by the same scoreline in 2006.

In their last ten matches played at the FIFA World Cup, England have only conceded one goal in the first half of play. That strike was claimed by Brazilian centre-forward Rivaldo, in added time during the first period of the quarter-final match in 2002, which England went on to lose 2-1.

All eight of USA’s previous opening games at the FIFA World Cup have yielded at least two goals.


13 June 2010 Algeria – Slovenia POLOKWANE (RSA) 13:30 Match #6 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: None The two national sides have never met before at any level.

Both Algeria and Slovenia have conceded at least one goal in each of their matches played at the FIFA World Cup. The north Africans have played six games at football’s global showpiece, while the central Europeans have played three.

Algerian strategist Rabah Saadane, who led the Desert Foxes during their last campaign in 1986, becomes the first African head coach to take part in two different editions of the FIFA World Cup.

All in all, Slovenia have played 5 matches against African opposition, one of them in the 2002 FIFA World Cup when they lost 1-0 to South Africa after a Nomvethe goal just four minutes into the game

Algeria's World Cup record includes four matches against European teams, one of them the famous 2-1 win over Germany FR in 1982 with goals from Madjer and Belloumi.

13 June 2010 Germany - Australia DURBAN (RSA) 20:30 Match #7 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: 2 AUS – 0 Draws – 0 GER - 2 Australia v. Germany (AUS v. FRG/GER)

2 Matches:


18.06.1974 HAMBURG (FRG) Australia Germany FR 0:3 (0:2) 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany (TM)

Group Matches

15.06.2005 FRANKFURT/MAIN (GER) Germany Australia 4:3 (2:2) FIFA Confederations

Cup Germany 2005 First stage

MP W D L GF GA Australia 2 0 0 2 3 7 Germany 2 2 0 0 7 3

The two national teams have gone head-to-head on two prior occasions. Both encounters took place on German soil and both ended in victories to the home side, 3-0 in the 1974 FIFA World Cup™ and 4-3 in the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005.

Germany have kicked off their last five FIFA World Cup campaigns with a win. Their last opening-match defeat dates back to 16 June 1982, when Die Mannschaft crashed to a surprise 2-1 reverse to Algeria, while four years later they stuttered to a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in the first group match.

During many of their opening-match victories at the FIFA World Cup, Germany have been particularly ruthless in front of goal, thrashing Belgium 5-2 in 1934, Turkey 4-1 in 1954, Switzerland 5-0 in 1966, Yugoslavia 4-1 in 1990, Saudi Arabia 8-0 in 2002 and Costa Rica 4-2 in 2006.

In both of their previous campaigns, Australia have crossed paths with the eventual world champions, losing on both occasions: 3-0 to Germany FR in 1974 and 1-0 to Italy in 2006.


13 June 2010 Serbia – Ghana TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 16:00 Match #8 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: 1 GHA – 0 Draws – 0 SRB - 1

Ghana v. Yugoslavia (GHA v. YUG)

1 Matches:

Date Venue Team A Team B Result Competition Stage 12.06.1997 Olympic

Stadium Ghana Yugoslavia 1:3 (0:0) Korea Cup 1997 Results

MP W D L GF GA Ghana 1 0 0 1 1 3 Yugoslavia 1 1 0 0 3 1

The only prior meeting between these sides was a friendly game played out on 12 June 1997 in Seoul, which was won by the former Yugoslavia 3-1.

Serbia (previously participating as Yugoslavia and then Serbia and Montenegro) have lost their last four matches played at the FIFA World Cup, suffering consecutive defeats against the Netherlands in 1998 and 2006 before slipping up against Argentina and Côte d'Ivoire, also at Germany 2006. Their last victory date backs to 25 June 1998, when a goal by defender Slobodan Komljenovic secured a 1-0 success over USA.

Milovan Rajevic is the second Serbian coach to lead a team against his home nation, after Blagoje Vidinic watched his Zaire side capitulate 9-0 to Yugoslavia in 1974.

Ghana have never drawn a match at the FIFA World Cup, having collected two wins and two defeats from their solitary outing in 2006.

14 June 2010 Netherlands – Denmark JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Soccer City 13:30 Match #9 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 28 DEN - 7 Draws - 10 NED - 11

Denmark v. Netherlands (DEN v. NED)

28 Matches:


02.07.1912 STOCKHOLM (SWE) Netherlands Denmark 1:4 (0:3) Olympic Football Tournament Stockholm 1912

Second Stage

17.05.1914 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Netherlands 4:3 (1:3) Friendly 1914

05.04.1920 AMSTERDAM (NED) Netherlands Denmark 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 1920
















15.10.1958 ROTTERDAM (NED) Netherlands Denmark 5:1 (3:0) Friendly 1958


30.11.1966 ROTTERDAM (NED) Netherlands Denmark 2:0 (0:0) UEFA EURO 1968 Prel. Comp.

Preliminary Round

04.10.1967 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Netherlands 3:2 (1:0) UEFA EURO 1968 Prel. Comp.

Preliminary Round



22.06.1992 GOTHENBURG (SWE) Netherlands Denmark 2:2 AET (2:2, 1:2) PSO 4:5

UEFA EURO 1992 Final Round

18.08.1999 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Netherlands 0:0 Friendly 1999

16.06.2000 ROTTERDAM (NED) Denmark Netherlands 0:3 (0:0) UEFA EURO 2000 First Stage


29.05.2008 EINDHOVEN (NED) Netherlands Denmark 1:1 (1:0) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA Denmark 28 7 10 11 40 56 Netherlands 28 11 10 7 56 40

This is the 29th meeting between these two teams, but the first at the FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands have the edge with 11 victories to seven, the other ten matches being drawn. Denmark’s last win was on 4 October 1967 when they outsmarted the Oranje 3-2 in Copenhagen in a qualifier for the UEFA European Championship. Nevertheless the Danes have since beaten the Netherlands on penalties, following a 2-2 draw after extra time in the semi-finals of EURO 1992, a campaign in which they went on to triumph against Germany in the final.

The Netherlands have not lost an opening match at the FIFA World Cup since 1938, when Czechoslovakia consigned them to a 3-0 defeat after extra time. Since then the Dutch have accumulated four wins and two draws.

Denmark have never drawn against European opposition in six previous showdowns at the finals, having recorded three wins and three defeats.

As coach, Morten Olsen has drawn both of his head-to-head meetings with the Netherlands by the same scoreline, 1-1. Both were friendly encounters played out in 2001 and 2008.


14 June 2010 Japan – Cameroon MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 16:00 Match #10 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 3 CMR - 0 Draws - 1 JPN - 2 Cameroon v. Japan (CMR v. JPN)

3 Matches:


02.06.2001 NIIGATA (JPN) Cameroon Japan 0:2 (0:1) FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001 Group Stage

19.11.2003 OITA (JPN) Japan Cameroon 0:0 Friendly 2003

22.08.2007 OITA (JPN) Japan Cameroon 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 2007

MP W D L GF GA Cameroon 3 0 1 2 0 4 Japan 3 2 1 0 4 0

Japan are unbeaten in three meetings against Cameroon, all of them played on home turf. The record stands at two victories and a draw in favour of the Asian nation, who have yet to concede a goal against the Indomitable Lions.

The last of Japan’s two victories in the FIFA World Cup took place exactly eight years ago on 14 June in Osaka, where they ran out 2-0 victors over Tunisia.

Also on 14 June but at the 1998 event, the Samurai Blue made their tournament debut in Nantes with a 1-0 loss to Argentina. The man in the dugout that day was current coach Takeshi Okada, during his first stint in charge of the national side.

Cameroon have never lost an opening match in five previous participations in football’s premier competition, clocking up four draws and a prestigious 1-0 victory over reigning champions Argentina in 1990.


14 June 2010 Italy – Paraguay CAPE TOWN (RSA) 20:30 Match #11 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: 2 ITA – 2 Draws – 0 PAR - 0 Italy v. Paraguay (ITA v. PAR)

2 Matches:


02.07.1950 SAO PAULO (BRA) Italy Paraguay 2:0 (1:0) 1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil (TM)

Group Matches

22.04.1998 PARMA (ITA) Italy Paraguay 3:1 (2:0) Friendly 1998

MP W D L GF GA Italy 2 2 0 0 5 1 Paraguay 2 0 0 2 1 5

Italy have come out on top in both of their previous showdowns with Paraguay, a 2-0 win in the 1950 FIFA World Cup and 3-1 friendly victory in 1998.

This is the fourth time that Italy are facing South American opponents in the opening match of the tournament. The Azzurri have kicked off previous campaigns against Chile on two occasions, winning 2-0 in 1966 and drawing 2-2 in 1998, before brushing aside Ecuador 2-0 in 2002.

For the second time, Paraguay go toe-to-toe with the defending champions at the FIFA World Cup. In 1950 just as in 2010, the title holders were Italy.

Italy have not lost against CONMEBOL opposition since the match for third place at the 1978 edition, when they were thwarted 2-1 by Brazil. Since then the Azzurri have notched four victories and five draws against South American sides, including stalemates in the semi-final with Argentina in 1990 and in the Final with Brazil 1994, matches which Italy only lost on penalties.

In 1950 Italy became the first reigning world champions to lose their opening match in the following edition of the tournament, slumping to a 3-2 defeat by Sweden. The same fate subsequently befell Argentina in 1982 (1-0 to Belgium) and in 1990 (1-0 to Cameroon) and France in 2002 (1-0 to Senegal).

15 June 2010 New Zealand – Slovakia RUSTENBURG (RSA) 13:30 Match #12 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: None This is the first meeting between these two sides at any level.

This is only the second time in their history that Slovakia have come up against an Oceanian team. In 2000 they ground out a 0-0 draw with Australia in Valparaiso, Chile.

New Zealand make their return to football’s flagship event following a 28-year absence. The All Whites’ competition debut also took place on 15 June, a 5-2 defeat to Scotland during the 1982 edition.

Slovakia are the only debutant nation at the 2010 FIFA World CupTM. The last two European sides to make their debuts in the tournament each lost their maiden matches: Slovenia in 2002 (3-1 to Spain) and Ukraine in 2006 (4-0 to Spain). The last opening-match victory achieved by a European newcomer dates back to 1998, when Croatia ran out 3-1 winners over Jamaica.


15 June 2010 Côte d'Ivoire - Portugal NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA)

16:00 Match #13 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: None

The two sides have never met before at any level.

This is Portugal’s 20th match at the FIFA World Cup.

Côte d'Ivoire have a favourable record against UEFA nations, having chalked up five wins and five draws in 14 matches, although no fewer than 13 of those took place on European soil or on neutral territory. The showdown with Portugal is only their second meeting against European opposition on the African continent, nearly 27 years since the Elephants’ 1-0 victory over Switzerland in Abidjan on 2 December 1983.

15 June 2010 Brazil - Korea DPR JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Ellis Park 20:30 Match #14 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: None

This is the first encounter between the sides at senior level.

Brazil and Korea DPR have squared up twice in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. On each occasion the South Americans have had the beating of the Chollima, winning 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals of 2005 and 6-1 in the 2007 edition.

Brazil have scored four goals in both of their encounters against Asian sides at the FIFA World Cup: 4-0 against China in 2002 and 4-1 against Japan in 2006.

Korea DPR make their return to football’s premier event 44 years since appearing at the 1966 edition. This is the fourth longest interval between FIFA World Cup participations, behind the 56-year absences of Egypt (1934-1990) and Norway (1938-1994), and the 48-year hiatus of Turkey (1954-2002).

Brazil have not lost an opening match in the FIFA World Cup since 1934, when they were stunned 3-1 by Spain. The Canarinhos have also kicked off their campaign with a win in the last seven tournaments from 1982 to 2006.


16 June 2010 Honduras - Chile NELSPRUIT (RSA) 13:30 Match #15 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: 5 CHI – 3 Draws – 0 HON - 2 Chile v. Honduras (CHI v. HON)

5 Matches:


26.01.1997 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Chile Honduras 3:2 (0:0) Friendly 1997

22.03.2000 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Chile Honduras 5:2 (3:2) Friendly 2000

21.03.2001 SAN PEDRO SULA (HON) Honduras Chile 3:1 (2:1) Friendly 2001

11.06.2003 SAN PEDRO SULA (HON) Honduras Chile 1:2 (1:1) Friendly 2003

18.01.2009 FORT LAUDERDALE (USA) Honduras Chile 2:0 (0:0) Friendly 2009

MP W D L GF GA Chile 5 3 0 2 11 10 Honduras 5 2 0 3 10 11

None of the five previous meetings between the senior national sides, all of which were friendlies, have resulted in a draw. The record stands at three victories to two in favour of Chile.

Chile are on a run of thirteen matches without a win in the FIFA World Cup, the third longest winless streak together with Mexico (1930-1962) and behind Bulgaria with 17 (1962-1994) and Korea Republic with 14 (1954-2002). The last match won by La Roja at the FIFA World Cup dates back to the match for third place in 1962, which incidentally was also held on 16 June. A strike by Eladio Rojas secured a 1-0 win over Yugoslavia for the South Americans, who have since strung together seven defeats and six draws.

Exactly 28 years ago in Valencia, on 16 June 1982, Honduras made their debut in world football’s main event with a 1-1 stalemate against Spain.

Chile are the first non-European side to face Honduras in the FIFA World Cup. In their solitary previous participation in 1982, Los Catrachos only came up against UEFA representatives: Spain, Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia.

Honduras' biggest win over a South American team was a 2-0 win against Brazil in a 2001 Copa America quarter-final match.


16 June 2010 Spain - Switzerland DURBAN (RSA) 16:00 Match #16 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: 18 ESP – 15 Draws – 3 SUI - 0 Spain v. Switzerland (ESP v. SUI)

18 Matches:


01.06.1925 BERNE (SUI) Switzerland Spain 0:3 Friendly 1925

17.04.1927 SANTANDER (ESP) Spain Switzerland 1:0 Friendly 1927


28.12.1941 VALENCIA (ESP) Spain Switzerland 3:2 Friendly 1941

20.06.1948 ZURICH (SUI) Switzerland Spain 3:3 Friendly 1948

18.02.1951 MADRID (ESP) Spain Switzerland 6:3 Friendly 1951

19.06.1955 GENEVA (SUI) Switzerland Spain 0:3 Friendly 1955

10.03.1957 MADRID (ESP) Spain Switzerland 2:2 (2:1) FIFA WC 1958 Prel. Comp. UEFA 1st Stage

24.11.1957 LAUSANNE (SUI) Switzerland Spain 1:4 (0:2) FIFA WC 1958 Prel. Comp. UEFA 1st Stage

15.07.1966 SHEFFIELD (ENG) Spain Switzerland 2:1 (0:1) 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM)

Group Matches


22.04.1970 LAUSANNE (SUI) Switzerland Spain 0:1 Friendly 1970



26.05.1984 GENEVA (SUI) Switzerland Spain 0:4 (0:3) Friendly 1984

05.06.1988 BASEL (SUI) Switzerland Spain 1:1 (0:1) Friendly 1988

13.12.1989 SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE (ESP) Spain Switzerland 2:1 (1:0) Friendly 1989

02.07.1994 WASHINGTON DC (USA) Spain Switzerland 3:0 (1:0) 1994 FIFA World Cup

USA (TM) Round of sixteen

MP W D L GF GA Spain 18 15 3 0 45 15 Switzerland 18 0 3 15 15 45

In eighteen attempts, Switzerland have never beaten Spain, managing only three draws. The two national sides first crossed paths in a friendly match in Berne on 1 June 1925, which finished 3-0 to Spain. The sides have drawn swords twice in the finals of football’s premier tournament: during the first round in 1966 and the Round of 16 in 1994, which respectively ended in 2-1 and 3-0 victories to the Iberians.

Switzerland have not conceded a goal at the FIFA World Cup for 394 minutes. Eliminated from Germany 2006 without having let in a single goal, the last time their defence was breached was when Spain’s Txiki Beguiristain converted a penalty in the 86th minute of the Round of 16 match in 1994, which La Furia Roja won 3-0.

This is the 50th match at the FIFA World Cup for Spain, who are the seventh team to reach this milestone after Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, England and France.


16 June 2010 South Africa - Uruguay TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 20:30 Match #17 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 2 RSA - 0 Draws - 1 URU - 1

South Africa v. Uruguay (RSA v. URU)

2 Matches:


17.12.1997 RIYADH (KSA) Uruguay South Africa 4:3 (2:1) FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1997

Group Stage

12.09.2007 JOHANNESBURG (RSA) South Africa Uruguay 0:0 Friendly 2007

MP W D L GF GA South Africa 2 0 1 1 3 4 Uruguay 2 1 1 0 4 3

South Africa have not beaten Uruguay in two previous meetings between the senior national teams. In 1997 the South Americans edged a 4-3 victory in the FIFA Confederations Cup with a 90th minute goal by Christian Callejas. Subsequently the sides ground out a goalless draw in a friendly match played out at Ellis Park stadium, Johannesburg, on 12 September 2009.

South American sides are yet to beat a host nation during the first round of the FIFA World Cup. In 1966 none other than Uruguay were held to a 0-0 draw by eventual champions England, in 1974 Germany FR overcame Chile 1-0, while Mexico drew 1-1 with Paraguay in 1986. USA prevailed 2-1 over Colombia in 1994 before Ecuador succumbed 3-0 in 2006, with Germany again the victors.

South Africa are unbeaten in matches played in the city of Pretoria before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with three victories and two draws from five games. The last one dates back to 1999 when Bafana Bafana ran out 1-0 winners over Sweden, the only non-African side they have met in Pretoria.


17 June 2010 France - Mexico POLOKWANE (RSA) 20:30 Match #18 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 6 FRA – 5 Draws – 1 MEX - 0 France v. Mexico (FRA v. MEX)

6 Matches:


13.07.1930 MONTEVIDEO (URU) France Mexico 4:1 (3:0) 1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay (TM)

Group Matches

19.06.1954 GENEVA (SUI) France Mexico 3:2 (1:0) 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland (TM)

Group Matches

13.07.1966 LONDON (ENG) France Mexico 1:1 (0:0) 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM)

Group Matches

31.08.1996 PARIS (FRA) France Mexico 2:0 (0:0) Friendly 1996

03.06.2001 ULSAN (KOR) France Mexico 4:0 (1:0) FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001 Group Stage

27.05.2006 SAINT-DENIS (FRA) France Mexico 1:0 (1:0) Friendly 2006

MP W D L GF GA France 6 5 1 0 15 4 Mexico 6 0 1 5 4 15

France have by far the superior head-to-head record in the six previous meetings between the teams, with five victories and a draw. The nations have crossed paths three times at world football’s main event. In 1930 France’s Lucien Laurent scored the first goal in the competition’s history during his side’s 4-1 win over the Aztecas. Les Bleus recorded a 3-2 triumph in the 1954 edition, whereas 1966 produced the only draw, by a scoreline of 1-1. The sides’ last meeting dates back to 27 May 2006, a friendly match played in Saint Denis which France won 1-0 thanks to a strike by winger Florent Malouda.

France are unbeaten against CONCACAF teams in four previous matches at the FIFA World Cup, having amassed three wins and one draw. The other opponents besides Mexico were Canada, who were defeated 1-0 in 1986.

France and Mexico are two of the nine teams at South Africa 2010 which also took part in the inaugural tournament in 1930, although they are the only sides to also face each during the first round of this year’s event.

Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre played five times for his country at the 1986 edition, remaining unbeaten against European opposition. El Tri overcame Belgium 2-1 in the first round, Bulgaria 2-0 in the Round of 16 and drew 0-0 with Germany FR in the quarter-finals before being knocked out on penalties. However in that last game Aguirre received his matching orders ten minutes into the first period of extra time.


17 June 2010 Greece - Nigeria MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 16:00 Match #19 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 2 GRE – 1 Draws – 0 NGA - 1 Greece v. Nigeria (GRE v. NGA)

2 Matches:


30.06.1994 BOSTON (USA) Greece Nigeria 0:2 (0:1) 1994 FIFA World Cup USA (TM)

Group Matches

13.11.1999 KIRKIS (GRE) Greece Nigeria 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 1999

MP W D L GF GA Greece 2 1 0 1 2 2 Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2

The two sides have played each other twice before. The first time was at the FIFA World Cup on 30 June 1994, which ended in a 2-0 victory to Nigeria courtesy of strikes by Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi. Greece turned the tables with a 2-0 friendly success in 1999, thanks to a brace from Nikolaos Machlas.

All four of the Super Eagles’ victories in previous FIFA World Cups have come against European opposition: Bulgaria (3-0) and Greece (2-0) in 1994, Spain (3-2) and again Bulgaria (1-0) in 1998.

17 June 2010 Argentina - Korea Republic

JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Soccer City 13:30 Match #20 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 2 ARG – 2 Draws – 0 KOR - 0 Argentina v. Korea Republic (ARG v. KOR)

2 Matches:


02.06.1986 MEXICO CITY (MEX) Argentina Korea

Republic 3:1 (2:0) 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico (TM)

Group Matches

11.06.2003 SEOUL (KOR) Korea Republic Argentina 0:1 (0:1) Friendly 2003

MP W D L GF GA Argentina 2 2 0 0 4 1 Korea Republic 2 0 0 2 1 4

Argentina have emerged victorious from both of their meetings with Korea Republic. In the 1986 FIFA World Cup a brace from Jorge Valdano either side of an Oscar Ruggeri goal fired La Albiceleste to a 3-1 win, with Park Chang Sun grabbing a consolation for the Taeguk Warriors. The South Americans came out on top again in 2003, recording a 1-0 friendly victory in Seoul with a goal from Javier Saviola.

Exactly 56 years ago in Zurich, Korea Republic played their maiden match in this competition, losing 9-0 to Hungary, whose first goal was bagged by Ferenc Puskas after 12 minutes.


18 June 2010 Germany - Serbia NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA)

13:30 Match #21 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: 27 GER - 16 Draws - 4 SRB - 7 Serbia v. Germany

27 Matches:


26.02.1939 BERLIN (GER) Germany Yugoslavia 3:2 (1:2) Friendly 1939

15.10.1939 ZAGREB (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany 1:5 (0:1) Friendly 1939

14.04.1940 VIENNA (AUT) Germany Yugoslavia 1:2 (0:2) Friendly 1940

03.11.1940 ZAGREB (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 1940

21.12.1952 LUDWIGSHAFEN (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 3:2 (2:2) Friendly 1952

27.06.1954 GENEVA (SUI) Germany FR Yugoslavia 2:0 (1:0) 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland (TM) Quarterfinals

25.09.1955 BELGRADE (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 3:1 (2:0) Friendly 1955

19.06.1958 MALMO (SWE) Germany FR Yugoslavia 1:0 (1:0) 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden (TM) Quarterfinals

20.12.1959 HANOVER (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 1:1 (0:1) Friendly 1959

10.06.1962 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Yugoslavia Germany FR 1:0 (0:0) 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile

(TM) Quarterfinals

30.09.1962 ZAGREB (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 2:3 (1:2) Friendly 1962


03.05.1967 BELGRADE (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 1:0 (0:0) UEFA EURO 1968 Prel. Comp.

Preliminary Round

07.10.1967 HAMBURG (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 3:1 (1:0) UEFA EURO 1968 Prel. Comp.

Preliminary Round


18.11.1970 ZAGREB (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 2:0 (0:0) Friendly 1970

09.05.1973 MUNICH (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 0:1 (0:0) Friendly 1973

26.06.1974 DUSSELDORF (FRG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 0:2 (0:1) 1974 FIFA World Cup Germany (TM)

Second Round

17.06.1976 BELGRADE (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 2:4 AET (2:2, 2:0) UEFA EURO 1976 Final Round

30.04.1977 BELGRADE (YUG) Yugoslavia Germany FR 1:2 (0:1) Friendly 1977

07.06.1983 LUXEMBOURG (LUX) Germany FR Yugoslavia 4:2 (2:0) Friendly 1983

11.05.1986 BOCHUM (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 1:1 (0:1) Friendly 1986

04.06.1988 BREMEN (FRG) Germany FR Yugoslavia 1:1 (0:1) Friendly 1988

10.06.1990 MILAN (ITA) Germany FR Yugoslavia 4:1 (2:0) 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy (TM)

Group Matches

21.06.1998 LENS (FRA) Germany Yugoslavia 2:2 (0:1) 1998 FIFA World Cup France (TM)

Group Matches

30.04.2003 BREMEN (GER) Germany Serbia and Montenegro 1:0 (0:0) Friendly 2003

31.05.2008 GELSENKIRCHEN (GER) Germany Serbia 2:1 (0:1) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA Serbia 27 7 4 16 32 49 Germany 27 16 4 7 49 32


MATCH #21 GERMANY-SERBIA CONTINUED

Also taking into account games played by Germany FR, Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, this match is being contested for the seventh time at the FIFA World Cup. Consequently it becomes, together with Brazil-Sweden, the most played fixture in the competition’s history. Germany have dominated in past encounters with four wins to Serbia’s one, the other being a draw.

This will be the sides’ 28th meeting and it is Die Mannschaft who lead the head-to-head series by 16 victories to seven, with four draws. The last Serbian victory dates back to 9 May 1973, when a strike by Dusan Bajevic secured a 1-0 friendly win in Munich.

In contrast, the pair have met only once previously at the finals of the UEFA European Championship. That was back in 1976 when Die Mannschaft triumphed 4-2 after extra time in the semi-finals, having battled back from two goals down.

Serbia have not got the better of European opposition in the FIFA World CupTM since 26 June 1990, when the former Yugoslavia sank Spain 2-1 after extra time in the Round of 16, thanks to a double from midfield legend Dragan Stojkovic.

Among their meetings in other competitions, Germany and Serbia also crossed paths in the final of the 1987 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which culminated in a penalty shoot-out victory to the former Yugoslavia. They have also squared up in two semi-finals, at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in 1952, when Yugoslavia ran out 3-1 winners, and at the 1976 European Championship, when Germany secured that 4-2 extra-time win.

18 June 2010 Slovenia - USA JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Ellis Park 16:00 Match #22 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: None This is the first meeting between Slovenia and the USA at any level.

The USA are the fourth CONCACAF side to face Slovenia, who have previously played friendlies against Mexico (2-1 victory in 1995), Honduras (5-1 defeat in 2002) and Trinidad and Tobago (3-1 victory in 2006).

The USA have never played against an offspring of former Yugoslavia. They lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia itself in a 1998 World Cup group match.


18 June 2010 England - Algeria CAPE TOWN (RSA) 20:30 Match #23 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: None England and Algeria have never met before at any level.

England are unbeaten in five previous encounters with CAF representatives at the FIFA World Cup, having picked up three wins and two draws. The Three Lions also kept clean sheets in each of those matches, except for the 3-2 extra-time win over Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 1990 edition. Morocco (0-0 in 1986), Egypt (1-0 in 1990), Tunisia (1-0 in 1998) and Nigeria (0-0 in 2002) all failed to breach the English back line.

Whether in official competitions or friendlies, England are yet to lose against African opposition, with the overall record standing at 11 wins and four draws in favour of the Three Lions.

19 June 2010 Ghana - Australia RUSTENBURG (RSA) 16:00 Match #24 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: 6 AUS – 4 Draws – 1 GHA - 1 Australia v. Ghana (AUS v. GHA)

6 Matches:


18.06.1995 SYDNEY (AUS) Australia Ghana 2:1 (2:0) Friendly 1995

21.06.1995 ADELAIDE (AUS) Australia Ghana 1:0 (1:0) Friendly 1995

24.06.1995 PERTH (AUS) Australia Ghana 0:1 (0:1) Friendly 1995

14.09.1996 DURBAN (RSA) Australia Ghana 2:0 (1:0) Friendly 1996

14.11.2006 LONDON (ENG) Australia Ghana 1:1 (1:0) Friendly 2006

23.05.2008 SYDNEY (AUS) Australia Ghana 1:0 (0:0) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA Australia 6 4 1 1 7 3 Ghana 6 1 1 4 3 7

Six previous meetings between the sides have yielded four wins for Australia, one for Ghana and one draw. One of those encounters took place in South Africa, a friendly played on 14 September 1996 in Durban, where the Socceroos ran out 1-0 victors.

This is the 100th match played by an African side at football’s flagship event. The first was contested in 1934 by Egypt, who went down 4-2 in the first round against Hungary.


19 June 2010 Netherlands - Japan DURBAN (RSA) 13:30 Match #25 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 1 JPN – 0 Draws – 0 NED - 1 Japan v. Netherlands (JPN v. NED)

1 Match:

Date City (Country) Team A Team B Result Competition Stage 05.09.2009 ENSCHEDE (NED) Netherlands Japan 3:0 (0:0) Friendly 2009

MP W D L GF GA Japan 1 0 0 1 0 3 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 3 0

The sides have crossed paths only once before, as recently as 5 September 2009 in Enschede, where the Netherlands secured a 3-0 success with strikes from Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the last 21 minutes.

The pair meet in their second group game, though this will be nothing new for the Japanese, who have faced European opposition in their second match in all three of their previous appearances at the finals. The Samurai Blue were edged out 1-0 by Croatia in 1998, saw off Russia 1-0 in 2002 and again faced Croatia in 2006, drawing 0-0.

Japan are the fourth Asian opponents to meet the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup. All three of their predecessors suffered defeats, namely Iran (3-0 in 1978), Saudi Arabia (2-1 in 1994) and Korea Republic (5-0 in 1998).

19 June 2010 Cameroon - Denmark TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 20:30 Match #26 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 2 CMR - 1 Draws - 0 DEN - 1 Cameroon v. Denmark (CMR v. DEN)

2 Matches:


05.06.1998 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Cameroon 1:2 (0:2) Friendly 1998

17.05.2002 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Cameroon 2:1 (1:0) Friendly 2002

MP W D L GF GA Cameroon 2 1 0 1 3 3 Denmark 2 1 0 1 3 3

The sides have one win apiece from their two previous meetings, both of which were friendly matches played out in Copenhagen and which finished 2-1. In 1998 a brace from Francois Omam-Biyik helped Cameroon to victory in Peter Schmeichel’s 100th match between the sticks for the Danes, with Peter Moller scoring for the home side. In 2002 Danish coach Morten Olsen watched from the dugout as an own-goal by Lucien Mettomo and a Jon Dahl Tomasson strike handed victory to his side, despite Modeste Mbami’s reply for the visitors.

Before 2010 Denmark had only drawn twice in the FIFA World Cup, each time against African opponents. The Danes shared the spoils with South Africa in 1998 (1-1) and again with Senegal in 2002, by the same scoreline.


20 June 2010 Slovakia - Paraguay MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 13:30 Match #27 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: None The two sides have never met before at any level.

Paraguay have always got the better of debut sides at football’s global showpiece. Not including the inaugural edition in 1930, the Guaraníes beat Iraq 1-0 in 1986, Slovenia 3-1 in 2002 and Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in 2006.

Slovakia have played nine friendlies against South American teams, winning three of them (Bolivia 1997 and 2000, Chile 2000). They lost to Brazil at the Olympic Football Tournament 2000 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2003.

20 June 2010 Italy - New Zealand NELSPRUIT (RSA) 16:00 Match #28 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: 1 ITA – 1 Draws – 0 NZL - 0 Italy v. New Zealand (ITA v. NZL)

1 Match:


10.06.2009 ATTERIDGEVILLE (RSA) Italy New Zealand 4:3 (1:2) Friendly 2009

MP W D L GF GA Italy 1 1 0 0 4 3 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 3 4

The teams’ sole prior encounter was a friendly in the run-up to the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, played in South Africa on 10 June. On that day the reigning world champions edged a thrilling 4-3 win thanks to braces from Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta, after the All Whites had gone ahead three times thanks to a Shane Smeltz goal and a double from Chris Killen.

Marcello Lippi is the eighth world-champion coach to guide the same national team in the edition following their FIFA World Cup-winning campaign. He follows in the footsteps of Vittorio Pozzo (Italy 1934-1938), Juan Lopez (Uruguay 1950-1954), Sepp Herberger (Germany FR 1954-1958), Helmut Schoen (Germany FR 1974-1978), Cesar Luis Menotti (Argentina 1978-1982), Enzo Bearzot (Italy 1982-1986) and Carlos Bilardo (Argentina 1986-1990). Only Vittorio Pozzo managed to clinch successive titles.


20 June 2010 Brazil - Côte d'Ivoire JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Soccer City 20:30 Match #29 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: None The two sides have never drawn swords at senior level. The only prior encounters between Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire took place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. They shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the 1977 edition in Tunisia, before the South Americans ran out 2-1 victors during the 1991 instalment in Portugal.

In addition to having won all five of their prior meetings with African sides at the finals of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil have never conceded a goal against CAF opposition in the history of the tournament. The Canarinhos recorded 3-0 victories on four occasions (Zaire 1974, Cameroon 1994, Morocco 1998 and Ghana 2006), the only exception being the 1-0 defeat of Algeria in 1986.

Côte d'Ivoire lost 2-1 to Argentina in 2006 in their only World Cup encounter with a South American team.

21 June 2010 Portugal - Korea DPR CAPE TOWN (RSA) 13:30 Match #30 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: 1 POR – 1 Draws – 0 PRK - 0 Korea DPR v. Portugal (PRK v. POR)

1 Match:


23.07.1966 LIVERPOOL (ENG) Portugal Korea DPR 5:3 (2:3) 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM) Quarterfinals

MP W D L GF GA Korea DPR 1 0 0 1 3 5 Portugal 1 1 0 0 5 3

The sides’ only prior meeting dates back to the quarter-finals of the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Portugal clawed back a three-goal deficit to stun Korea DPR 5-3 in Liverpool, with Eusebio netting four times for the Iberians.

The memorable 5-3 defeat suffered by Korea DPR in 1966 against Portugal was the first match in the history of football’s global showpiece, and the only one to date, in which an Asian team has found the net three times.

Portugal and Italy are the only sides to have come up against both Korean teams on the FIFA World Cup stage, although the Lusitanians become the first team to have met Korea DPR twice in a FIFA competition.


21 June 2010 Chile - Switzerland NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA)

16:00 Match #31 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: 3 CHI – 1 Draws – 0 SUI - 2 Chile v. Switzerland (CHI v. SUI)

3 Matches:


06.04.1960 BERNE (SUI) Switzerland Chile 4:2 Friendly 1960

30.05.1962 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Chile Switzerland 3:1 (1:1) 1962 FIFA World Cup

Chile (TM) Group Matches

07.09.2007 VIENNA (AUT) Switzerland Chile 2:1 (1:1) Austria Four Nations Tournament 2007

MP W D L GF GA Chile 3 1 0 2 6 7 Switzerland 3 2 0 1 7 6

The teams have met three times previously but only once at the FIFA World Cup, during the 1962 edition when Chile notched a 3-1 win in Santiago. The other two matches were friendlies and were both won by Switzerland, the last of them a 2-1 triumph in Vienna in 2007.

Switzerland have never beaten a South American side in FIFA’s flagship competition. Four attempts have yielded just one draw, 2-2 against Brazil in 1950, followed by three losses to Chile (3-1 in 1962), Argentina (2-0 in 1966) and Colombia (2-0 in 1994).

This is the first time that Chile have encountered a European team on African soil. The only confederation in which La Roja have never played against UEFA opposition is Oceania.

21 June 2010 Spain - Honduras JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Ellis Park 20:30 Match #32 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: 1 ESP - 0 Draws – 1 HON - 0 Honduras v. Spain (HON v. ESP)

1 Match:


16.06.1982 VALENCIA (ESP) Spain Honduras 1:1 (0:1) 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain (TM)

Group Matches

MP W D L GF GA Honduras 1 0 1 0 1 1 Spain 1 0 1 0 1 1

The sides’ 1-1 stalemate at the 1982 FIFA World Cup is the only previous encounter between the senior national teams. Spain and Honduras have also faced off in the 1999 and 2005 editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007, all of which resulted in Spanish victories by the scorelines of 3-1, 3-0 and 4-2 respectively.

Prior to playing Honduras in 1982, Spain had met two other CONCACAF nations in the FIFA World Cup. La Furia Roja ran out winners on both occasions, toppling the USA 3-1 in 1950 and Mexico 1-0 in 1962.

Exactly 46 years ago on 21 June 1964, Spain clinched their first continental title by seeing off the USSR 2-1 in Madrid courtesy of goals by Jesus Pereda and Marcelino.


22 June 2010 Mexico - Uruguay RUSTENBURG (RSA) 16:00 Match #33 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 17 MEX - 7 Draws – 7 URU - 3 Mexico v. Uruguay (MEX v. URU)

17 Matches:


23.03.1952 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Mexico Uruguay 1:3 (1:2) Pan American

Championship 1952

19.07.1966 LONDON (ENG) Uruguay Mexico 0:0 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM)

Group Matches

21.05.1968 MEXICO CITY (MEX) Mexico Uruguay 3:3 (0:2) Friendly 1968

28.05.1968 MEXICO CITY (MEX) Mexico Uruguay 2:2 (1:1) Friendly 1968

26.10.1968 MONTEVIDEO (URU) Uruguay Mexico 0:2 (0:2) Friendly 1968

31.10.1984 MONTEVIDEO (URU) Uruguay Mexico 1:1 (0:0) Friendly 1984

13.04.1986 LOS ANGELES (USA) Mexico Uruguay 1:0 (1:0) Friendly 1986

20.03.1990 LOS ANGELES (USA) Uruguay Mexico 1:2 (1:2) Friendly 1990

07.05.1991 LOS ANGELES (USA) Mexico Uruguay 0:2 (0:0) Friendly 1991

20.11.1991 VERACRUZ (MEX) Mexico Uruguay 1:1 (0:1) Friendly 1991

01.02.1995 SAN DIEGO (USA) Uruguay Mexico 0:1 (0:1) Friendly 1995

13.07.1995 MONTEVIDEO (URU) Uruguay Mexico 1:1 (0:0) Copa America 1995 Group Matches

25.07.2001 PEREIRA (COL) Mexico Uruguay 2:1 (1:1) Copa America 2001 Semifinals

15.10.2003 CHICAGO (USA) Mexico Uruguay 0:2 (0:1) Friendly 2003

07.07.2004 CHICLAYO (PER) Mexico Uruguay 2:2 (1:1) Copa America 2004 First Stage

26.10.2005 GUADALAJARA (MEX) Mexico Uruguay 3:1 (1:1) Friendly 2005

14.07.2007 CARACAS (VEN) Uruguay Mexico 1:3 (1:1) Copa America 2007 Second Stage

MP W D L GF GA Mexico 17 7 7 3 25 21 Uruguay 17 3 7 7 21 25

In 17 previous meetings between these sides El Tri have by far the better head-to-head record with seven wins to Uruguay’s three, in addition to seven draws. Just one of those fixtures took place at the FIFA World Cup™, a 0-0 stalemate during the 1966 edition. That match also produced Mexico’s first clean sheet after 17 matches played in the history of the competition.

A solitary strike by current Azteca coach Javier Aguirre was enough to secure Mexico a 1-0 victory over Uruguay on 13 April 1986, in a friendly match held in Los Angeles.

Despite belonging to two different confederations, Uruguay and Mexico have also drawn swords four times in the Copa America (1995, 2001, 2004 and 2007). The CONCACAF outfit are unbeaten in that head-to-head series, with two wins and two draws. As of the 2010 event, each of the nations that make up Group A will have hosted the FIFA World Cup finals.


22 June 2010 France - South Africa MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 16:00 Match #34 Group A

Previous head-to-heads: 3 FRA - 2 Draws – 1 RSA - 0 France v. South Africa (FRA v. RSA)

3 Matches:


11.10.1997 LENS (FRA) France South Africa 2:1 (0:1) Friendly 1997

12.06.1998 MARSEILLES (FRA) France South Africa 3:0 (1:0) 1998 FIFA World Cup France (TM)

Group Matches

07.10.2000 JOHANNESBURG (RSA) South Africa France 0:0 Friendly 2000

MP W D L GF GA France 3 2 1 0 5 1 South Africa 3 0 1 2 1 5

France are unbeaten in the pair’s three previous showdowns, having picked up two wins and a draw. Thierry Henry, who featured in all three of those games, no doubt has fond memories of playing against South Africa. France's all-time leading goalscorer made his senior debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over Bafana Bafana in 1997 in Lens and went on to score his first international goal in the 3-1 win in Marseille at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The centre-forward also helped his side fight out a 0-0 friendly draw at Ellis Park stadium in 2000.

This is Raymond Domenech’s tenth match in charge of Les Bleus at the FIFA World Cup. The Frenchman thus equals Michel Hidalgo’s record for the most matches as coach of France at world football’s premier event.

The French have come up against host teams in two previous editions of the competition and are yet to avoid defeat, having succumbed 2-0 to England in 1966 and 2-1 to Argentina in 1978.

No host nation has ever failed to qualify for the second round of the FIFA World Cup.

Carlos Alberto Parreira’s managerial record against France at the FIFA World Cup is played three, lost three. After watching his Kuwait side suffer a 4-1 mauling in 1982, he led Saudi Arabia to a 4-0 defeat against the eventual champions in 1998. The Brazilian supremo then saw his home nation eliminated from the 2006 edition after a 1-0 reverse in the quarter-finals.


22 June 2010 Nigeria - Korea Republic DURBAN (RSA) 20:30 Match #35 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 3 KOR – 2 Draws – 1 NGA - 0 Korea Republic v. Nigeria (KOR v. NGA)

3 Matches:


08.06.1983 SEOUL (KOR) Korea Republic Nigeria 1:0 (1:0) Presidents Cup 1983 First Stage

13.09.2001 DAEJEON (KOR) Korea Republic Nigeria 2:2 (0:2) Friendly 2001

16.09.2001 BUSAN (KOR) Korea Republic Nigeria 2:1 (0:0) Friendly 2001

MP W D L GF GA Korea Republic 3 2 1 0 5 3 Nigeria 3 0 1 2 3 5

It is Korea Republic who have the edge in past encounters between the sides, all three of which were friendlies played in Korea, with two wins and a draw.

The Taeguk Warriors are the first Asian team to go toe-to-toe with Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback progressed to the second round of the competition in both of his previous attempts, guiding his home nation Sweden into the Round of 16 in both the 2002 and 2006 editions.

22 June 2010 Greece - Argentina POLOKWANE (RSA) 20:30 Match #36 Group B

Previous head-to-heads: 1 ARG – 1 Draws – 0 GRE - 0 Argentina v. Greece (ARG v. GRE)

1 Match:


21.06.1994 BOSTON (USA) Argentina Greece 4:0 (2:0) 1994 FIFA World Cup USA (TM)

Group Matches

MP W D L GF GA Argentina 1 1 0 0 4 0 Greece 1 0 0 1 0 4

The only prior encounter between these teams dates back to the 1994 FIFA World Cup, when Argentina swept to a 4-0 victory. The third goal in that game was bagged by the South Americans’ current coach Diego Maradona, his last international goal.

Otto Rehhagel is the first German to coach a side other than Die Mannschaft against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup.

In each of their last six campaigns, Argentina have come up against European opposition in their final match of the first round. La Albiceleste overcame Bulgaria 2-0 in 1986, drew 1-1 with Romania in 1990, lost 2-0 to Bulgaria in 1994, edged Croatia 1-0 in 1998, tied 1-1 with Sweden in 2002 and ground out another draw four years later in Germany, 0-0 against the Netherlands.


23 June 2010 Slovenia - England NELSON MANDELA BAY/PORT ELIZABETH (RSA)

16:00 Match #37 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: 1 ENG - 1 Draws – 0 SVN - 0 England v. Slovenia (ENG v. SVN)

1 Match:


05.09.2009 LONDON (ENG) England Slovenia 2:1 (1:0) Friendly 2009

MP W D L GF GA England 1 1 0 0 2 1 Slovenia 1 0 0 1 1 2

In the only previous showdown between these sides, a friendly played out at Wembley Stadium on 5 September 2009, England emerged 2-1 victors courtesy of goals from Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe, with Zlatan Ljubijankic replying for the visitors.

In previous campaigns the Three Lions have only once suffered defeat in their third and final match during the first-round group stage, losing 1-0 to Spain way back in 1950.

Thirty-six years ago on 23 June 1974, current England coach Fabio Capello scored his only goal in FIFA’s flagship competition, during Italy’s 2-1 defeat to Poland which sent the Azzurri crashing out of the tournament after the opening round.

23 June 2010 USA - Algeria TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 16:00 Match #38 Group C

Previous head-to-heads: None The two sides have never gone head-to-head before at any level.

Algeria are only the second African team that the USA have faced in their 28 games played at the FIFA World Cup, after Ghana who defeated the Stars and Stripes 2-1 in 2006.

USA are the third CONCACAF opponents to face Algeria, who previously lost 1-0 to Cuba in 1974 and 2-0 to Mexico in 1985, both in friendly games.

Since the 1950 edition, the Stars and Stripes have always lost their third and final match in the opening group stage of the FIFA World Cup.

In 1982 the Desert Foxes became the first African team to notch two wins in the first round, having overcome the former West Germany and Chile.


23 June 2010 Ghana - Germany JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Soccer City 20:30 Match #39 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: 1 GER – 1 Draws – 0 GHA - 0 Germany v. Ghana (GER v. GHA)

1 Match:


14.04.1993 BOCHUM (GER) Germany Ghana 6:1 (0:1) Friendly 1993

MP W D L GF GA Germany 1 1 0 0 6 1 Ghana 1 0 0 1 1 6

The only previous tussle between these teams took place in Bochum in 1993 and ended in a thumping 6-1 win to Germany, who even managed to net all six of their goals during a rampant 19-minute spell between the 69th and 88th minutes.

Die Mannschaft have won the third and final game of the opening round in their last four campaigns (1994-2006). Before drawing 1-1 with Colombia in 1990, they were stunned 2-0 by Denmark at the 1986 instalment.

During the last instalment of FIFA’s flagship event in 2006, Ghana were the only one of five African teams to survive beyond the first round. Of the six CAF representatives vying for glory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Ghana have gone the longest since winning their continental championship. The Black Stars last clinched the CAF African Cup of Nations back in 1982.

23 June 2010 Australia - Serbia NELSPRUIT (RSA) 20:30 Match #40 Group D

Previous head-to-heads: None This is the sides’ first encounter at senior level. However the pair have previously crossed paths at the 1987 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, when the former Yugoslavia ran out 4-0 victors, and three times at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, where Australia clinched two wins and a draw.

In all three of their participations at football’s global showpiece, Australia have always been guided by a foreign coach. The Socceroos were managed by Yugoslavian strategist Rale Rasic at the 1974 edition and Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek in 2006 and 2010 respectively.


24 June 2010 Slovakia - Italy JOHANNESBURG (RSA) Ellis Park 16:00 Match #41 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: 1 ITA – 1 Draws – 0 SVK - 0 Italy v. Slovakia (ITA v. SVK)

1 Match:


28.01.1998 CATANIA (ITA) Italy Slovakia 3:0 (0:0) Friendly 1998

MP W D L GF GA Italy 1 1 0 0 3 0 Slovakia 1 0 0 1 0 3

Italy ran out 3-0 victors in the pair’s only previous meeting, a friendly held in Catania in 1998.

This is the 80th match contested by Italy at the FIFA World Cup. The first took place in Rome on 27 May 1934, when the locals cruised to a 7-1 win over USA. The Azzurri are ranked third in terms of number of matches played at FIFA’s flagship tournament, behind Brazil and Germany who will have played 95 games by the end of the first round at South Africa 2010.

Current Slovakia supremo Vladimir Weiss played three matches for Czechoslovakia at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, including a 2-0 loss to Italy in Rome on 19 June, when Salvatore Schillaci and Roberto Baggio did the damage for the hosts.

24 June 2010 Paraguay - New Zealand POLOKWANE (RSA) 16:00 Match #42 Group F

Previous head-to-heads: 1 NZL – 0 Draws – 0 PAR - 1 New Zealand v. Paraguay (NZL v. PAR)

1 Match:

Date City (Country) Team A Team B Result Competition Stage 22.06.1995 SANTIAGO DE CHILE

(CHI) New Zealand Paraguay 2:3 (0:2) Friendly 1995

MP W D L GF GA New Zealand 1 0 0 1 2 3 Paraguay 1 1 0 0 3 2

These teams have faced off only once before, in 1995 during a friendly played out in Santiago, Chile, which ended in a narrow 3-2 success to Paraguay.

This is the 750th match played in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

Gerardo Martino is the second Argentinian coach to guide Paraguay at world football’s main event. The first was Jose Durand Laguna during the 1930 instalment.


24 June 2010 Denmark - Japan RUSTENBURG (RSA) 20:30 Match #43 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 1 DEN – 1 Draws – 0 JPN - 0 Denmark v. Japan (DEN v. JPN)

1 Match:

Date City (Country) Team A Team B Result Competition Stage 28.07.1971 COPENHAGEN (DEN) Denmark Japan 3:2 (2:1) Friendly 1971

MP W D L GF GA Denmark 1 1 0 0 3 2 Japan 1 0 0 1 2 3

The pair have crossed paths only once before, in a friendly played in 1971 in Copenhagen which resulted in a 3-2 success to the Danes. By contrast in the women’s game, Japan and Denmark have squared up no fewer than six times in friendly matches. The east Asians have marginally the better record with two victories to Denmark’s one, with the other three matches ending honours even.

The Danes’ current coach Morten Olsen played against Japan in that 3-2 friendly win back in 1971, earning his 71st cap in the process.

24 June 2010 Cameroon - Netherlands CAPE TOWN (RSA) 20:30 Match #44 Group E

Previous head-to-heads: 2 CMR – 0 Draws – 1 NED - 1 Cameroon v. Netherlands (CMR v. NED)

2 Matches:


27.05.1998 ARNHEM (NED) Netherlands Cameroon 0:0 Friendly 1998

27.05.2006 ROTTERDAM (NED) Netherlands Cameroon 1:0 (1:0) Friendly 2006

MP W D L GF GA Cameroon 2 0 1 1 0 1 Netherlands 2 1 1 0 1 0

Cameroon have failed to find the net in the two previous meetings between these teams, both of which were friendlies played out on Dutch soil and on the same date, 27 May. After scrapping to a goalless stalemate in 1998, the Netherlands tamed the Indomitable Lions 1-0 in 2006 thanks to a goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

This is the 20th match played at the FIFA World Cup by Cameroon, who are the first African team to reach this milestone.

The Oranje have never lost to African opposition in FIFA’s flagship competition, although they have always conceded a goal. Their record stands at two victories and one draw, obtained against Egypt (1-1 in 1990), Morocco (2-1 in 1994) and Côte d’Ivoire (2-1 in 2006).


25 June 2010 Portugal - Brazil DURBAN (RSA) 16:00 Match #45 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: 18 BRA - 12 Draws - 2 POR - 4 Brazil v. Portugal (BRA v. POR)

18 Matches:


08.04.1956 LISBON (POR) Portugal Brazil 0:1 Friendly 1956

11.06.1957 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 2:1 Friendly 1957

16.06.1957 SAO PAULO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 3:0 Friendly 1957

06.05.1962 SAO PAULO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 2:1 Friendly 1962

09.05.1962 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 1:0 Friendly 1962

21.04.1963 LISBON (POR) Portugal Brazil 1:0 Friendly 1963

07.06.1964 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 4:1 Brazil Nations Cup

1964

24.06.1965 OPORTO (POR) Portugal Brazil 0:0 Friendly 1965

19.07.1966 LIVERPOOL (ENG) Portugal Brazil 3:1 (2:0) 1966 FIFA World Cup England (TM)

Group Matches

30.06.1968 MACHAVA (MOZ) Portugal Brazil 0:2 Friendly 1968

09.07.1972 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 1:0 Brazil Independence

Cup 1972 Second Stage

05.05.1982 SAO LUIZ (BRA) Brazil Portugal 3:1 Friendly 1982

08.06.1983 COIMBRA (POR) Portugal Brazil 0:4 Friendly 1983

08.06.1989 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Brazil Portugal 4:0 (2:0) Friendly 1989

17.04.2002 LISBON (POR) Portugal Brazil 1:1 (0:0) Friendly 2002

29.03.2003 PORTO (POR) Portugal Brazil 2:1 (1:0) Friendly 2003

06.02.2007 LONDON (ENG) Brazil Portugal 0:2 (0:0) Friendly 2007

19.11.2008 GAMA (BRA) Brazil Portugal 6:2 (2:1) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA Brazil 18 12 2 4 36 15 Portugal 18 4 2 12 15 36

The South Americans have dominated the sides’ 18 previous meetings, picking up 12 wins to Portugal’s four, with only two matches ending all square. The last showdown dates back to 19 November 2008, when the Auriverde cantered to a 6-2 win in Gama, Brazil.

Portugal prevailed in the pair’s only showdown at the FIFA World Cup. During the 1966 edition in England, a strike from Simoes and a brace from Eusebio fired the Iberians to a 3-1 win, with Rildo netting Brazil’s solitary reply. That shock result sent the 1958 and 1962 champions crashing out of the tournament after the first round.

Carlos Queiroz twice got the better of Brazil while coaching the Portuguese national youth team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Having led his charges to a 1-0 win over the South Americans in the semi-finals of 1989 edition, he subsequently masterminded a penalty shoot-out victory in the 1991 final to claim the trophy for the second time in succession.


25 June 2010 Korea DPR - Côte d'Ivoire NELSPRUIT (RSA) 16:00 Match #46 Group G

Previous head-to-heads: None The sides have never squared up before at senior level. Their only prior encounter took place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2005 in Peru and ended in a 3-0 success to the east Asian team.

No fewer than ten members of the Korea DPR squad involved in qualifying for South Africa 2010 took the field against Côte d'Ivoire in the last meeting between these two nations, which was played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2005.

Sven Goran Eriksson is the first head coach to participate in a FIFA World Cup finals after guiding another qualified team during the preliminary stage. The Elephants’ current trainer was on Mexico’s bench for nine matches during the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone qualifying tournament. His compatriot Lars Lagerback, who is leading Nigeria at the 2010 finals, was in charge of Sweden during qualifying but was unable to steer them to South Africa. Carlos Alberto Parreira had a similar experience in 1990, coaching Saudi Arabia for several qualifiers before managing United Arab Emirates in Italy.

25 June 2010 Chile - Spain TSHWANE/PRETORIA (RSA) 20:30 Match #47 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: 7 CHI – 0 Draws – 1 ESP - 6 Chile v. Spain (CHI v. ESP)

7 Matches:


29.06.1950 RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA) Spain Chile 2:0 (2:0) 1950 FIFA World Cup

Brazil (TM) Group Matches

12.07.1953 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (CHI) Chile Spain 1:2 Friendly 1953




08.09.1993 ALICANTE (ESP) Spain Chile 2:0 (0:0) Friendly 1993

19.11.2008 VILLARREAL (ESP) Spain Chile 3:0 (1:0) Friendly 2008

MP W D L GF GA Chile 7 0 1 6 3 18 Spain 7 6 1 0 18 3

Spain are unbeaten in their seven previous meetings with Chile, having amassed six wins and a draw. One of these encounters was played out at the FIFA World Cup in 1950, when strikes from Estanislao Basora and Zarra propelled La Selección to a 2-0 victory.

Chile have the honour of contesting the 300th match played by a South American team in world football’s premier tournament.

In their last six campaigns since 1986, Spain have always won the final game of the first-round group stage. Their last defeat came on home turf in the 1982 edition, when the Iberians were humbled 1-0 by Northern Ireland.


25 June 2010 Switzerland-Honduras MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN (RSA) 20:30 Match #48 Group H

Previous head-to-heads: None This is the first showdown between the sides at any level.

Honduras are the third CONCACAF side to face Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup. Los Catrachos follow in the footsteps of Mexico, who slumped to a 2-1 loss in 1950, and USA, who earned a 1-1 draw with the Helvetians in 1994.

Since 1966, the third and final match played by Switzerland in the opening round of the FIFA World Cup has always finished 2-0. In England the Helvetians conceded two goals to Argentina without reply, before suffering the same fate in 1994 against Colombia. Subsequently in 2006 the Nati turned the tables with a win over Korea Republic, also by the scoreline of 2-0.

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