The second fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa will be the match between Uruguay and France at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. France, runner-up at the World Cup 2006, counts as favourite in Group A but their achievement in the qualification was anything but convincing. The
Les Bleus qualified as play-off-winner over Ireland. Also Uruguay has to go into the play-offs, where
La Celeste celebrated a 2:1 aggregate win over Costa Rica.
Uruguay – World Champion in 1930 and 1950 – plays at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in Group A with France, South Africa and Mexico. In this group
La Celeste have a good chance to advance to the Round of last 16. Above all their offensive with Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez is very strong. Forlan has scored 18 goals in previous Primera Division season and also both goals at Atletico Madrid´s 2:1 win at the Europa League final over Fulham. Suarez has scored 35 goals for Ajax Amsterdam. The last test match against Israel ended with a 4:1 win for Uruguay. Less well were the performances of the French team. The three preparation games brought a 2:1 win over Costa Rica, a 1:1 against Tunisia and a 0:1 defeat versus China. Thierry Henry, with 51 goals best scorer of the
Les Bleus, was in these three matches just substitute. France coach Raymond Domenech preferred the forwards Nicolas Anelka and Sidney Govou.
Group A: Uruguay - France Date: 11 June, 2010 - 20:30 CET
Stadium: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)
Uruguay: Keeper: Fernando Muslera
Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres
Midfielders: Walter Gargano, Ignacio Gonzalez, Alvaro Pereira, Diego Perez
Forwards: Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan
Coach: Oscar Tabárez
Injured:
Booked:
France: Keeper: Hugo Lloris
Defenders: Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Patrice Evra, Éric Abidal
Midfielders: Jérémy Toulalan, Franck Ribéry, Florent Malouda, Yoann Gourcuff
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka, Sidney Govou
Coach: Raymond Domenech
Injured:
Booked:
Uruguay prepared at home for the FIFA World Cup. The conditions in Uruguay are similar to the conditions in South Africa. So
La Celeste should be ready for the FIFA World Cup. France have their training camp on the French island La Reunion to get used to the climatic relations of the region. Referee is Yuichi Nishimura from Japan.
Last meeting: 19.11.2008, France – Uruguay 0:0
Wins Uruguay: 1
Wins France: 1
Draws: 2
Uruguay have won their last test with 4:1 and presented in great form. On the other side France drew against Tunisia and lost against China. France have a lot of good players, but in the team they were at least at the moment not so strong. So I guess that Uruguay wins their opening fixture.
The best odds to this game you find at Tipico, Bwin and Interwetten.
