World Cup 2010: Match Schedule

Match times are currently set to local time
Group A Match	Date - Time	Venue
1	11/06 16:00	Johannesburg	South Africa	vs	Mexico
2	11/06 20:30	Cape Town	Uruguay	vs	France
17	16/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria	South Africa	vs	Uruguay
18	17/06 20:30	Polokwane	France	vs	Mexico
33	22/06 16:00	Rustenburg	Mexico	vs	Uruguay
34	22/06 16:00	Mangaung	France	vs	South Africa
Group B Match	Date - Time	Venue
3	12/06 16:00	Johannesburg	Argentina	vs	Nigeria
4	12/06 13:30	Nelson Mandela Bay	Korea Rep	vs	Greece
19	17/06 16:00	Mangaung	Greece	vs	Nigeria
20	17/06 13:30	Johannesburg	Argentina	vs	Korea Rep
35	22/06 20:30	Durban	Nigeria	vs	Korea Rep
36	22/06 20:30	Polokwane	Greece	vs	Argentina
Group C Match	Date - Time	Venue
5	12/06 20:30	Rustenburg	England	vs	USA
6	13/06 13:30	Polokwane	Algeria	vs	Slovenia
22	18/06 16:00	Johannesburg	Slovenia	vs	USA
23	18/06 20:30	Cape Town	England	vs	Algeria
37	23/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay	Slovenia	vs	England
38	23/06 16:00	Tshwane/Pretoria	USA	vs	Algeria
Group D Match	Date - Time	Venue
7	13/06 20:30	Durban	Germany	vs	Australia
8	13/06 16:00	Tshwane/Pretoria	Serbia	vs	Ghana
21	18/06 13:30	Nelson Mandela Bay	Germany	vs	Serbia
24	19/06 16:00	Rustenburg	Ghana	vs	Australia
39	23/06 20:30	Johannesburg	Ghana	vs	Germany
40	23/06 20:30	Nelspruit	Australia	vs	Serbia
Group E Match	Date - Time	Venue
9	14/06 13:30	Johannesburg	Netherlands	vs	Denmark
10	14/06 16:00	Mangaung	Japan	vs	Cameroon
25	19/06 13:30	Durban	Netherlands	vs	Japan
26	19/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria	Cameroon	vs	Denmark
43	24/06 20:30	Rustenburg	Denmark	vs	Japan
44	24/06 20:30	Cape Town	Cameroon	vs	Netherlands
Group F Match	Date - Time	Venue
11	14/06 20:30	Cape Town	Italy	vs	Paraguay
12	15/06 13:30	Rustenburg	New Zealand	vs	Slovakia
27	20/06 13:30	Mangaung	Slovakia	vs	Paraguay
28	20/06 16:00	Nelspruit	Italy	vs	New Zealand
41	24/06 16:00	Johannesburg	Slovakia	vs	Italy
42	24/06 16:00	Polokwane	Paraguay	vs	New Zealand
Group G Match	Date - Time	Venue
13	15/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay	Côte d'Ivoire	vs	Portugal
14	15/06 20:30	Johannesburg	Brazil	vs	Korea DPR
29	20/06 20:30	Johannesburg	Brazil	vs	Côte d'Ivoire
30	21/06 13:30	Cape Town	Portugal	vs	Korea DPR
45	25/06 16:00	Durban	Portugal	vs	Brazil
46	25/06 16:00	Nelspruit	Korea DPR	vs	Côte d'Ivoire
Group H Match	Date - Time	Venue
15	16/06 13:30	Nelspruit	Honduras	vs	Chile
16	16/06 16:00	Durban	Spain	vs	Switzerland
31	21/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay	Chile	vs	Switzerland
32	21/06 20:30	Johannesburg	Spain	vs	Honduras
47	25/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria	Chile	vs	Spain
48	25/06 20:30	Mangaung	Switzerland	vs	Honduras

World Cup 2010: Drawing Result

Group A
1. South Africa
2. Mexico
3. Uruguay
4. France

Group B
1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. Korea Republic
4. Greece

Group C
1. England
2. USA
3. Algeria
4. Slovenia

Group D
1. Germany
2. Australia
3. Serbia
4. Ghana

Group E
1. Netherlands
2. Denmark
3. Japan
4. Cameroon

Group F
1. Italy
2. Paraguay
3. New Zealand
4. Slovakia

Group G
1. Brazil
2. Korea DPR
3. Cote d'Ivoire
4. Portugal

Group H
1. Spain
2. Switzerland
3. Honduras
4. Chile

World Cup 2010 Stadium: Durban Stadium

The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The ground epitomises the architectural innovation on display in South Africa and takes its design inspiration from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolising the new unity of a once-divided country.

The 70,000-seater has been specifically designed as a multi-purpose venue and an amphitheatre complete with a cable car which ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, visitors can experience spectacular panoramic views of the nearby shoreline and the city. The roof is attached to the arch by 95mm-diameter steel cables. Each seat of the stadium is spacious and comfortable, providing a clear line of sight to the pitch.

It is a world-class and multifunctional arena located in the heart of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will be the jewel in the crown of the Kings Park Sporting precinct. The entire area will feature additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach.

The stadium was built on the site of the old Kings Park Stadium. Moses Mabhida, the ground's namesake, was born in Thornville near Pietermaritzburg on 14 October 1923 into a poor family who were later forced off their land. In 1963, Mabhida was asked by Oliver Tambo while working in Prague rallying support from the World Federation of Trade Unions, to come back to Africa to develop the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He underwent military training and became the chief political instructor of new military recruits. He later served as the commander of MK.

Name: Durban Stadium
City: Durban
Construction: new
Completion: 2009
Gross Capacity: 70 000

World Cup 2010 Stadium: Green Point Stadium

One of the most artistic football venues in South Africa, the newly-built Green Point Stadium is situated in one of the much sought-after areas in the city of Cape Town. Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the FIFA World Cup™. This multi-purpose venue is also going to be used to stage major events and concerts. Fans will be a stone's throw from the ocean and the mountains of Cape Town will also provide the backdrop for matches. The location is ideal as it is a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. The new stadium has been partly built on land that was previously used as a golf course. The stadium, which has an exterior that is covered with noise-reducing cladding has a capacity of 70,000 and is scheduled for completion in December 2009. The Green Point Common, on which the new 2010 stadium is being built, was originally much larger than what now remains, and included most of the land between the sea and Signal Hill, stretching from the city centre towards Sea Point. Cape Town has another world-standard stadium, Newlands, but this is primarily used as a rugby union venue. Post FIFA World Cup, the Green Point Stadium is likely to be used by some of the Cape Town-based professional football outfits that include Ajax Cape Town and Santos.

Name: Green Point
City: Cape Town
Construction: new
Completion: 2009
Gross Capacity: 70,000

World Cup 2010 Contestant: Brazil

It almost goes without saying that Brazil, the five-times world champions, go into every FIFA World Cup™ heavily favoured to add yet another star to the legendary Amarelinha shirt. Having played for A Seleção at three editions of the global showpiece, coach Dunga will be fully aware that any outcome other than a sixth world crown will likely be considered a failure.

The road to South Africa
The fans' at times vitriolic reaction to Brazil's results and performances particularly early on in the qualifying phase illustrates just how demanding they can be. Despite ending the preliminary event on top of the standings, after recording nine wins, seven draws and two defeats, and having clinched a South Africa 2010 berth with three matchdays to spare, the Auriverde camp had been subjected to a torrent of abuse after successive goalless home draws against Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia. Dunga's charges really hit their stride from April 2009, however, racking up five wins in a row including two landmark away results: a 4-0 humbling of Uruguay in Montevideo and a 3-1 defeat of arch-rivals Argentina in Rosario. It was the latter which confirmed their passage to South Africa.

The star players
Picking just a few names from a country so prolific at producing footballing talent is no easy task, though 2009 did underline the importance of certain key players. Starting between the sticks and we have keeper Julio Cesar, whose safe hands are a vital feature of A Seleção's miserly defence. The triumphant FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 campaign cemented Kaka's place as the man Brazil look to for inspiration, a fact reflected in him taking the adidas Golden ball. Meanwhile up front, Luis Fabiano proved himself a truly world-class finisher with five goals including a priceless brace in the 3-2 final win over the USA.

The coach
Upon taking the job in August 2006, Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri, better known as Dunga, had already experienced the full gambit of emotions that come with playing for Brazil. Indeed, having been among the scapegoats targeted after the disappointment at Italy 1990, the powerful midfielder skippered Brazil to victory four years later in the USA. Despite the Brazilian national team position being his first coaching role, Dunga answered those who doubted his credentials by guiding A Canarinha to triumph in the 2007 Copa America, the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and qualifying the team for South Africa 2010 with room to spare.

Records
- Brazil are preparing to contest their 19th consecutive FIFA World Cup finals. They are the only country to have taken part in every edition of the global showpiece.
- They are also the only country to have won the title five times: amassing a total of 64 victories, 14 draws and 14 defeats in 92 games played.
- Between 15 June 2008 and 11 October 2009, A Seleção went 19 games unbeaten.

What they said
"We have to learn to live with the favourites' tag. We mustn't let it turn into something negative, as it has done in previous years." Kaka, following the win over Argentina which clinched qualification.

World Cup 2010 Contestant: Korea DPR

Korea DPR seemingly came from nowhere to storm into the Asian Zone's final round of qualifying, where they defied sizeable odds to take one of the continent's four automatic spots at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. In a sense they lived up to their long-standing reputation as Asia's surprise packages, their qualifying success marking a return to world football's top table for the first time since going all the way to the last eight in 1966.

After spending nearly 30 years in wilderness, the past decade saw the revival of the nation's footballing fortunes. With their women's football teams running riot at all levels on the international scene, the men's side came close to qualifying for Germany 2006 before successfully negotiating the road to South Africa 2010.

The road to South Africa
To reach the 2010 showpiece, Korea DPR went through a gruelling qualifying campaign spanning 20 months and a whopping 16 games. They made light work of Mongolia in the Asian Zone's first qualifying round, winning both home and away to earn a bye to the third round as one of the 11 highest-ranked first-round winners. Once there, they finished second in their group behind southern neighbours Korea Republic to qualify for the final round.

There they got off to a brilliant start by defeating UAE 2-1, before holding Korea Republic to a 1-1 draw. Despite losing to Iran 2-1 in the next game, they bounced back with a 1-0 home win against Saudi Arabia. Even a 1-0 loss to Korea Republic did not dent their chances too badly, followed as it was with a draw against Iran which kept them in second place. Needing just a point against Saudi Arabia in the closing game to qualify, they bravely held on for a goalless draw to seal their passage.

The star players
Two-thirds of the squad come from domestic clubs, though their small overseas-based contingent are vital cogs in the Korean machine. FC Rostov's Hong Yong-Jo was in lethal form up front, the 27-year-old goalgetter scoring four times in as many games. Playing alongside him is Japan-based Jong Tae-Se, who has the power and pace to breach any rearguard. Home-based midfielder Mun In-Guk is the man who makes the team tick, while keeper Ri Myong-Guk's safe hands and agility can be relied upon between the sticks.

The coach
Coach Kim Jong-Hun was only ten years old when the Chollima made history at England 1966 and now, 43 years on, he was the man who guided them back to the pinnacle of world football. Given his squad largely consists of domestic-based players lacking in international experience, the strategist favours a pragmatic and defensive approach based around discipline and teamwork.

Previous FIFA World Cups
Going into the global showpiece as debutants in England in 1966, the unfancied East Asians undid European heavyweights Italy with a single-goal victory to march into the quarter-finals. In what remains one of the all-time classic encounters in FIFA World Cup history, they flew into a three-goal lead against Portugal within 25 minutes, only for Eusebio to go on to strike no fewer than four times in a 5-3 comeback win for the Selecção das Quinas.

Records
* Korea DPR reached the last eight in their last and only previous appearance at the finals of a FIFA World Cup.


What they said
"It was as a result of our hard work that we will return to the World Cup, 44 years after we reached last eight at England 1966. We are likely to meet European teams once more at South Africa 2010 and I hope we can repeat the feats of our predecessors." Korea DPR head coach Kim Jong-Hun