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All Set For South Africa 2010
It took a long time coming but better late than never goes the popular saying. Come June 2010, one of the most exciting and mediatised sporting events in the globe, the soccer world cup will be hosted by Africa. Draws for the event were made in South Africa on December 4th in the presence of the crème de la crème of the soccer world. Judging by the excitement generated by the draws, one can safely bet that the rest of the world may be in for a surprise at what Africa has to offer.Although the furthest an African Team has gone at previous editions is the quarter finals, a feat achieved by Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002, the odds of the trophy staying on African soil for the first time it is hosted are far from negligible. But for the absence of Egypt, the continent will be represented by Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria and host country South Africa. Drawn in Group A alongside France, Uruguay and Mexico, South Africa will not want to disappoint its buoyant home crowd with an early exit.
In Group B, to battle it out with Nigeria are Argentina, Greece and South Korea. Though it was a laborious run at the eliminatories, Nigeria has what it takes in terms of talents to have a brilliant world cup.
Algeria drawn alongside England, Slovania and the USA will be far from a push over in group C.With a talented generation of players if the Algerians maintain the excellent shape enjoyed through out the qualifying matches, there could emerge as one of the revelations of the tournament.
In Group D with Germany, Serbia and Australia, Ghana should be able to stake a strong claim for one of the top two spots for a place in the next round.
Absent from 2006 world cup in Germany, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will be out to remind soccer fans that there remain a force to reckon with. Drawn alongside Holland, Denmark and Japan, it just will not be an easy feat at all but with a rejuvenated side and a new coach, the Lions may be one of the sides that the continent pins its hopes on.One of the toughest draws came the way of Ivory Coast with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea. With the experience garnered from the 2006 world cup in South Africa and led by the inspirational Didier Drogba, the Ivorians will certainly be no push overs at all.
The level of the game has improved tremendously in Africa and its brightest stars are hot commodity for leading soccer clubs the world over. As the host continent, a privilege that may take another generation to come by again, African countries have the extra responsibility of proving to the rest of the world that its time has come .
Reactions to the draws
Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa coach
For the first time in a long while, we were witness to a World Cup draw that is pretty even overall, without a particularly easy group or a group of death. In what I would describe as an open draw, we definitely have the most open group. Up against two former world champions – France and Uruguay – I realise that the task ahead looks difficult, but we're ready to tackle it head-on with pride and courage. A tough challenge awaits us, but we're capable of meeting it if we put in the hard work in the run-up. I'm obviously aware of the importance of the first match, but I don’t intend to simply focus on that game. I would rather look at the group as a whole, because if we were to beat Mexico but then lose to the two other teams, it would all be for nothing. That said, there is no doubt that winning the opening match is always crucial for morale.
For the first time in a long while, we were witness to a World Cup draw that is pretty even overall, without a particularly easy group or a group of death. In what I would describe as an open draw, we definitely have the most open group. Up against two former world champions – France and Uruguay – I realise that the task ahead looks difficult, but we're ready to tackle it head-on with pride and courage. A tough challenge awaits us, but we're capable of meeting it if we put in the hard work in the run-up. I'm obviously aware of the importance of the first match, but I don’t intend to simply focus on that game. I would rather look at the group as a whole, because if we were to beat Mexico but then lose to the two other teams, it would all be for nothing. That said, there is no doubt that winning the opening match is always crucial for morale.
Cameroon coach Paul le Guen said: "I suppose Denmark and Japan are clearly not as competitive as the Dutch but they all have potential and worth.
"With two European teams in our group we have a tough programme of matches. We must now get together to prepare.
"The way we finished our qualifying campaign gave us real confidence. Our advantage is now we play in the African Nations Cup (in January) and we can really put some good preparation together. I'm certain we can get second place in the group."
Shaibu Amodu, Nigeria coach
This is a very important tournament for Nigeria and we are all aware of the expectations on our shoulders. We are in a difficult group – with Argentina, Greece and Korea. This is a similar group to the one we had at the 1994 World Cup and I don't want to talk about history but people will remember how we performed at that tournament even though people thought we wouldn't do well. This World Cup is an opportunity for African teams to showcase their ability to the rest of the world. The most important thing for Nigeria will be to do well in this tournament – our ultimate goal is to proceed to the knockout stages. In a World Cup, you need a good start and then you can build from there. We have the players who are capable of representing this continent with pride but we need to gel as a team and believe in this dream. We have played against some of our opponents before and we have an idea of what we are up against.
This is a very important tournament for Nigeria and we are all aware of the expectations on our shoulders. We are in a difficult group – with Argentina, Greece and Korea. This is a similar group to the one we had at the 1994 World Cup and I don't want to talk about history but people will remember how we performed at that tournament even though people thought we wouldn't do well. This World Cup is an opportunity for African teams to showcase their ability to the rest of the world. The most important thing for Nigeria will be to do well in this tournament – our ultimate goal is to proceed to the knockout stages. In a World Cup, you need a good start and then you can build from there. We have the players who are capable of representing this continent with pride but we need to gel as a team and believe in this dream. We have played against some of our opponents before and we have an idea of what we are up against.
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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11 June
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South Africa
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-
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Mexico
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11 June
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Uruguay
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-
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France
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16 June
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South Africa
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-
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Uruguay
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17 June
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France
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-
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Mexico
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22 June
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Mexico
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-
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Uruguay
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22 June
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France
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-
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South Africa
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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12 June
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Argentina
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-
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Nigeria
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12 June
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Korea Republic
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-
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Greece
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17 June
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Argentina
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-
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Korea Republic
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17 June
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Greece
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-
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Nigeria
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22 June
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Greece
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-
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Argentina
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22 June
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Nigeria
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-
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Korea Republic
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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12 June
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England
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-
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United States
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13 June
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Algeria
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-
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Slovenia
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18 June
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England
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-
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Algeria
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18 June
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Slovenia
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-
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United States
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23 June
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United States
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-
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Algeria
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23 June
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Slovenia
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-
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England
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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13 June
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Germany
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-
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Australia
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13 June
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Serbia
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-
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Ghana
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18 June
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Germany
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-
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Serbia
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19 June
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Ghana
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-
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Australia
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23 June
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Australia
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-
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Serbia
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23 June
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Ghana
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-
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Germany
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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14 June
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Netherlands
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-
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Denmark
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14 June
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Japan
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-
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Cameroon
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19 June
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Netherlands
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-
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Japan
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19 June
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Cameroon
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-
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Denmark
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24 June
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Denmark
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-
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Japan
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24 June
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Cameroon
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-
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Netherlands
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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14 June
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Italy
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-
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Paraguay
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15 June
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New Zealand
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-
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Slovakia
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20 June
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Italy
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-
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New Zealand
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20 June
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Slovakia
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-
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Paraguay
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24 June
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Paraguay
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-
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New Zealand
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24 June
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Slovakia
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-
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Italy
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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15 June
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Brazil
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-
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Korea DPR
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15 June
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Ivory Coast
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-
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Portugal
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20 June
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Brazil
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-
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Ivory Coast
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21 June
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Portugal
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-
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Korea DPR
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25 June
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Korea DPR
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-
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Ivory Coast
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25 June
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Portugal
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-
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Brazil
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Date
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Venue
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Result
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16 June
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Spain
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-
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Switzerland
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16 June
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Honduras
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-
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Chile
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21 June
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Spain
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-
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Honduras
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21 June
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Chile
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-
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Switzerland
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25 June
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Switzerland
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-
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Honduras
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25 June
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Chile
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-
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Spain
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World Cup Groups
Group A
South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B
Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C
England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D
Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia
Group E
Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark
Group F
Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G
Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H
Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland
