'Recon' games for all the teams

The first round of matches in the 2010 World Cup always provide an insight as to the form of the teams playing. Each team will analyse the others strengths and weaknesses and formulate a plan to exploit those weaknesses.

Group A saw the hosts South Africa put up a very good show for the fans and nearly grabbed the win against Mexico who looked out of sorts. If you thought Mexico was out of sorts the game that followed between France and Uruguay was even worse. France minus Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda did not trouble the Uruguayan defence save a couple of chances in the first half. Likewise the much talked about front pair of Forlan and Suarez didn't do much to trouble Gallas and Abidal. Both teams will have to improve upon their present form if they are to entertain any hopes of making it to the round of 16.

Group B saw Euro 2004 champs Greece lose to South Korea in which the usually solid Greek defence looked out of sorts against a South Korean side that played some attractive football. The match between Argentina and Nigeria was in truth a battle between Messi and Enyeama the latter denying the world's best player on 5-6 occasions. Nigeria did get a few chances of their own but to no effect. The defending during Heinze's goal was very shabby. Likewise for the Argentinian defence where Gutierras did not look at home at all on the right full back position. Both teams will have to tighten up at the defence as they will face stronger challenges during the knockout rounds.

Group C saw star studded England take on a talented US side. The English fans would've been in 7th heaven after Gerrard scored as early as the 4th minute. But the English allowed USA to get back into the game and Dempsey's low drive ended up in the goal after Robert Green showed all budding goalkeepers a mistake that they can make at some point in their footballing careers. England's defensive worries were compounded after Ledley King's injuries came to haunt him again and comeback centre-back Carragher was run ragged by Altidore and Finley. England will need to change a few things if they hope to stay as Cup contenders. . USA meanwhile need to just continue to play the way they are now and they are destined for the next round. The second match in the group featuring Slovenia and Algeria was a largely pedestrian affair with both teams trying to avoid defeat. It took a moment of madness by Ziani and another goalkeeping howler by the Algerian goalie to gift Slovenia their first ever win in a World Cup. England will be thanking their stars that they do not have any stiff challenges in this group.

Group D was kicked off by Ghana picking up 3 points against a Serbian side boasting of many talented players like Dejan Stankovic, Milan Jovanovic, Ivanovic, Vidic and Krasic. This was a very entertaining match in which both teams were looking for the win and an unfortunate handball by Kuzmanovic resulted in a Ghana penalty which Gyan gladly despatched to earn Africa's first win the tournament. The second match between Germany and Australia was arguably the most entertaining of the first round matches with the stars of a young German side thrashed an experienced Australian side 4-0. The type of football the Germans played was near flawless with the exception of a couple of chances in the second half although the game had its fair share of controversy as Cahill was sent off harshly for a foul on Schweinsteiger. This group looks very tight indeed as the next round of matches will determine who among Serbia, Ghana and Australia will finish behind Germany and all of whom have an equal chance of doing so.

Group E is another tight group which had favourites Netherlands squaring off against Martin Olsen's Denmark. Although the Netherlands played their usual attacking game it took an own goal by Simon Poulsen and Dirk Kuyt's rebound to seal the match for the Oranje Army. Both teams looked adventurous on the break and they will look to use this in the other group matches. The other match saw Takeshi Okada's Japan take on Cameroon who were one of Africa's hopes again this time. Though Cameroon attacked well Kenshuke Honda's first half goal gave the Blue Samurai their first win in a World Cup outside their continent. Cameroon will hope to put this defeat behind them and keep their heads held up high to qualify from a very difficult group. Netherlands will need to maintain the same intensity seen against Denmark against a gritty Japan and an unpredictable Cameroon. Denmark can take loads of positives from the Netherlands game and will hope to maintain the tag of favourites of qualifying from Group E.

Group F is famous because of the presence of the World Champions Italy. The first match saw a stalemate between New Zealand and Slovakia after New Zealand equalized in the dying seconds of the game. The second match featuring Italy and Paraguay had everyone betting on an Italy win. But how wrong were they when Alcaraz beat Chiellini and Cannavaro and put a header past Buffon. The absence of Andrea Pirlo was clearly shown as the Azzurri struggled to create any clear cut chances. Italy's performance improved in the second half and their pressure paid dividends as De Rossi capitalized on a mistake by the Paraguayan Goalkeeper during a Simone Pepe corner and scored from close range. Lippi threw on Cameronesi and Di Natale to replace the ineffective Marchisio and Gilardino. Suddenly the Italians began to push for the win and they were only denied by a resolute Paraguayan defence. Italy will look to bounce back from this performance and win its remaining two group games. Paraguay will no doubt gained a lot of confidence after holding off the Champions and will hope to emulate such a performance against New Zealand and Slovakia.

Group G aka the Group of Death. Each match was of prime importance in this group as they would determine which two among the 3 favourites i.e Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast would qualify. All the hype regarding whether Ivory Coast captain and talisman Didier Drogba would play or not were put to rest after Eriksson named him on the bench. Portugal started brightly and after Ronaldo struck the post in the first half Ivory Coast came to life. Gervinho made sure that the Portugese defence stayed on their toes and the Toure brothers were a reassuring presence in the defence. Drogba came on late in the second half as a huge roar filled the stadium. Drogba's presence had suddenly given Ivory Coast more confidence to attack. They nearly made Portugal pay as Drogba beat Bruno Alves but just couldn't get the finish that could've sent the fans into delirium. The draw made the next round of matches of paramount importance for all teams in the group as Brazil squeezed past a very determined North Korean side who were out to show the world just why they were here and not just to make up the numbers. In fact such was the occasion for the North Koreans that their striker Jong Tae-Se was seen crying during the national anthems. North Korea did not sit back like how many predicted they would instead they stood up to the might of Brazil and attacked. Jong Tae-Se tested Julio Cesar with a low drive and they were looking dangerous on the counter attack. Kaka's runs were nullified and Robinho's stepovers did not scare the Koreans. But now Brazil's attacks had more purpose and finally Maicon's shot near the far post found the back of the net. Later Brazil doubled the lead after Robinho's crisp through ball found Elano who beat the Korean keeper Ri with a cool right footed finish. The game looked over but Korea showed that it was not when striker Ji scored an impressive goal in the 88th minute. This game had proved one point to the world that no team could be underestimated on the basis of rankings. Brazil will look to improve on their attacking game a bit more and Portugal will look to rely a little less on Ronaldo to get the job done and Ivory Coast will need to play in a similar style like they did against Portugal. As for North Korea they can take more positives from the Brazil game and based on Portugal's and Ivory Coast's performance they just may be the dark horses in this group.

Group F had one of the tournament favourites Spain along with the Swiss, Honduras and Chile. The group had a strong Hispanic feel to it. Chile and Honduras got the group underway with Chile looking the only side capable of scoring and they did when Beausjour's goal sent the strong Chilean fan contingent into ecstacy. Honduras did threaten on a few occasions but Chile dominated the match and in Alexis Sanchez they have someone who will lead the Chilean attack for many years to come. The win put Chile on top. Spain's match with the Swiss was next. Everyone thought that the high flying Spaniards would put atleast 3 past the Swiss and top the group. Well surprise surprise....the Swiss pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament when they beat Spain 1-0 thanks to a second half goal from former Manchester City man Gelson Fernandes. Though star-studded Spain clearly dominated the match in possession and shots on goal the Swiss got what the Spaniards didn't. The Swiss could've doubled their lead after another chance struck the post and later Xabi Alonso tested the frame of the Swiss goal. The introduction of Jesus Navas and Torres brought some pace to the Spanish attack and Iniesta's injury added salt to Spain's wounds. This victory has brought life into an otherwise dull world cup so far and put Spain in 3rd place in the group. Clearly unfamiliar territory for the reigning European champions. Expect a backlash from them in the remaining games against Chile and Honduras. Chile will have to continue their good work and the Swiss have to put this victory behind them and start concentrating on their next game. And as i said before no team can be taken lightly in this tournament. Anything can happen. The Swiss just proved that.

The second round of matches start tonight.... Hopefully they'll change the complexion of this World Cup.....