Day 12 preview — Group A conclusion: Mexico vs Uruguay; South Africa vs France

By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

Day 11 saw normal service resume at the World Cup as favourites Portugal and Spain managed to avoid falling to lower-ranked opponents. The Portugese stamped their class with a 7-0 rout of surprise package North Korea while Spain saw off the challenge of minnows Honduras 2-0. Meanwhile, Chile put a foot into the last 16 after a 1-0 win over Switzerland that put them three points clear at the top of Group H.

Let’s move on to Day 12 where the final Group A matches will be played. Second-placed Uruguay will take on table-toppers Mexico while France will take on hosts South Africa.

French fans will no doubt keep one eye on the first encounter as a draw between Uruguay and Mexico will put them out of the tournament regardless of their result against South Africa.

Will the three-pronged Mexican strikeforce of Giovanni Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela prove too much to handle? Or will the Uruguayan pair of Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan prevail?

Will France overcome all their problems to qualify for the last 16? Or will hosts South Africa pull something out of the hat to avoid early elimination?

Our pundits bring you their take on the matches and their verdict on who will qualify from Group A.

Mexico vs Uruguay
Wen Bin Says: 0-0 Draw
Given the fact both teams will qualify if they draw today, they will play defensive football with minimal risks taken by either side.

South Africa vs France
Wen Bin Says: 1-0 to France
It is unimaginable that France will lose to South Africa today even if they have many conflicts among themselves. Their attack led by Thierry Henry should prove too hot for South Africa to handle. Should France lose today, it will be a very sad day for French football.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Andrew Says: 1-1 Draw
Both teams have surprised many with their powerful and free-flowing play. Confident from their recent victories, both teams will definitely go for the jugular right from the start despite conspiracy theories regarding both Mexico and Uruguay playing for a draw rather than a win. Conspiracy theories or not, I can see this match headed for a draw simply because both sides will play hard and will find it hard to break down each other’s defence.

South Africa vs France
Andrew Says: 1-0 to South Africa
I’m disgusted by the way France has trivialised the World Cup. South Africa deserve and will likely pull off a victory against a completely undeserving French side that is simply ridiculous. I don’t think I need to elaborate further. For all the rubbish that’s been going on about the French, they must win back the respect of the world by playing their best match against South Africa, although looking at things, that is highly unlikely.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Alfred Says: 1-1 Draw
Both teams are very attacking-minded, but their defences should be able to match each other’s attacks equally.

South Africa vs France
Alfred Says: 1-0 to France
France will finally pull off a win but it wouldn’t be enough to push them to the last 16 with qualification hopes out of their hands. With Anelka gone, they would be missing someone upfront. It will be a premature elimination for the football giants.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Asyraf Says: 1-1 Draw
Both teams will look to play safe and hope for a draw that will see them advancing to the next round.

South Africa vs France
Asyraf Says: 1-0 to South Africa
With the French team in disarray, I think South Africa will pull off another upset.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Ryson Says: 2-1 to Mexico
Both teams are on a high after winning their previous matches. However I feel that Mexico will come out on top after winning against a very strong team in France.

South Africa vs France
Ryson Says: 1-0 to France
France will come back stronger after the departure of Nicolas Anelka and their poor performances in the first two matches.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Dilip Says: 0-0 Draw
Both teams know that they only need a point to qualify for the last 16 and a loss in this match could mean disaster. Therefore I think their main focus in the match will be on defence. I predict both teams to qualify.

France vs South Africa
Dilip Says: 1-0 to South Africa
Both teams are well aware of the importance of winning this match if they want to qualify. Victory is paramount for France, whose reputation has been stained by two days of turmoil which exposed huge rifts within the squad. The Africans also have to save their national pride as the host nation. It will be an all-out battle on the field and I feel that South Africa (which are more organised at this point) will lead the disunited France.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Parvesh Says: 1-1 Draw
Personally, I think it’ll be a 1-1 draw as both teams only need a draw to qualify for the next round.

South Africa vs France
Parvesh Says: 1-0 to South Africa
Even though they were outclassed by Uruguay, the hosts would want to show what they are made of. With the turmoil in the French team, this really looks like the end of their World Cup campaign.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Naufal Says: 2-1 to Uruguay
Uruguay would want to ensure they top the group with a win against Mexico.

South Africa vs France
Naufal Says: 1-1 Draw
France would want to salvage their World Cup campaign by making it through to the second round at least, but they will be faced by a determined South Africa side that does not want to disappoint their home support.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Uruguay vs Mexico
Khairul Azmi Says: 1-1 Draw
With both teams on the verge of qualification, both coaches will look to rest a few key players for the second round.

France vs South Africa
Khairul Azmi Says: 1-1 Draw
South Africa will look to go out of the World Cup on a high. Coupled with the French team in disarray, they should get something out of this game.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

Mexico vs Uruguay
Alvan Says: 2-2 Draw
With Uruguay and Mexico having virtually qualified for the next round, they will be looking to progress at the top of the group to avoid facing the Argentinians, who stand a high chance of topping Group B. However, there isn’t much to separate the two teams as they are both strong going forward but slightly vulnerable at the back. Thus, a fairly high scoring draw could be expected.

South Africa vs France
Alvan Says: 1-1 Draw
The French football team is imploding and it is extremely hard to imagine them putting their act together to put up a solid performance against the South Africans on their home soil. The South Africans can be expected to put up yet another enthusiastic performance but this match looks likely to be headed for a draw with France scoring their first and last goal in the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Verdict: Mexico and Uruguay to go through

More News on Mexico vs Uruguay
Uruguay centre back Diego Godin to miss Mexico match
Mexico forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco not scared of facing Argentina in second round
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre: Mexico won’t play for draw
South Africa plead for Latin American battle
Previous Encounter in 2007: Mexico 3-1 Uruguay

More News on South Africa vs France
France refuse to train as crisis deepens
France coach Raymond Domenech: Player “protest” is stupid
France stars may boycott match
The best France can hope for? Three points and a knockout blow
South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena: No rifts in Bafana camp
Bafana fans urged to adopt a new team

GROUP A	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
URUGUAY	3	2	1	0	4	0	+4	7
MEXICO	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	4
SOUTH AFRICA	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4
FRANCE	3	0	1	2	1	4	-3	1

For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/