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Wednesday, 17 March 2010

World News Tough Path to Last 16 for Brazil and Portugal

NELSON Mandela proclaimed that it has been worth the long wait for the World Cup to arrive on African soil, but Brazil and Portugal may not be feeling quite so welcoming.

If there is a the traditional infamous 'Group of Death' in 2010 then it is Group G, where Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast will have to battle it out and North Korea's campaign looks as good as over before a ball has been kicked.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz believes the opening match against an Ivory Coast side that should number stars such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure could be decisive.

Queiroz said: "There are clearly three teams for two places.

"The line-up shows this. Portugal starts against the Ivory Coast and in such a close test there is no room for error. It may be the key game.

"The first match will be decisive. We have a good chance of beating the Ivory Coast, now we have to prepare ourselves well."

Tournament hosts South Africa will do well to avoid an exit in the group after their top seeding did little to protect them from the luck of the draw.

France, Mexico and Uruguay will be the opponents for Bafana Bafana in Group A, and there were gasps in the audience in Cape Town's Convention Centre at the toughness of the draw.

"It is up to us to prepare as much as possible and be competitive," said South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"The French play with big clubs but it doesn't mean we have to be afraid. We need to have strength to make it."

Group D also looks daunting with Germany up against Serbia, Australia and Ghana, currently the in-form team in Africa.

Reigning champions Italy are in Group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia - and rivalling England for the easiest-looking task in the first phase.

It is Spain however who have been installed as the bookies' favourites ahead of England - Brazil have dropped to third - and should comfortably qualify for the knock-out stages against Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.

In past tournaments Argentina may have been confident to get past Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in Group B, but their trials and tribulations under the management of Diego Maradona makes that no longer a dead cert.

Holland are favourites to win Group E, but there should be an interesting tussle between Cameroon, Denmark and Japan for the second spot.

Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association

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