Vuvuzela South Africa

It is day three of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the opening two matches each feature Slavic countries taking on African teams and the third is the Germany vs Australia encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Group C: Algeria v. Slovenia  -Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane – 13.30 (local time)

The contrasting styles of these contenders will be on display at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane just after mid day.

With games against England and USA to come for these two teams, Algeria and Slovenia will be desperate to take three points from their Group C match-up.

Slovenia is a solid, defense-oriented squad that looks for counterattacking opportunities. Algeria, on the other hand, loves to play in high gear and get the ball up front.

Slovenia looks like they are the better-prepared team. The Algeria team appears unsettled in term of chemistry. Yazid Mansouri has been questioned about his fitness, which has created a negative reaction amongst the players.  But we will see later today.

Group D: Serbia v Ghana – Loftus Versveld, Tshwane Pretoria Sunday 13 June, 16.00 (local time)

Group D rivals Serbia and Ghana will take to the pitch at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria knowing their qualification hopes for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™’s Round of 16 could well hinge on this encounter. The venue will be filled to the rafters and there is likely to be heavy support for Ghana in the African side’s second consecutive appearance at the global showcase. As for Serbia, they will look to replicate the performances of their venerated predecessors who lit up the world stage under the flag of the former Yugoslavia, says fifa.com.

Four years ago, Ghana became one of the very few teams to lose their opening World Cup match and still go on to advance beyond the group stage. This year, however, the Black Stars are without captain Michael Essien, the talented Chelsea defensive midfielder, due to a knee injury.

Ghana – Strong Former Youth Players

Ghana will feel confident because of their core of up and coming group of youth players who were a part of the FIFA U20 World Youth Championship success in 2009.

Serbia, making their first Cup appearance as an independent nation, is big and tough, and they look to impose their will on defense while snagging goals off set pieces: they scored seven times off corners during qualifying, two more than any other team in the UEFA.

Serbia – Well Balanced Team

Serbia have developed into a very good, well balanced team with many of their top players (like Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic) scattered around big European clubs.

Ghana hopes to combat the opposition with the help of Milovan Rajevac, their outspoken, (and strangely in this case) Serbian-born manager.

Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

Group D: Germany v. Australia Sunday 13 June, 20.30 (local time)

The Germans didn’t lose a game in qualifying and the Socceroos lost 3 – 1 to the USA in last week’s friendly. This is what we can keep in mind in this evening’s match at Durban’s magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

It is a pity that Durban got so few matches, because the Moses Mabhida Stadium, of MMS as it is known to the locals, is surely one of the most spectacular in South Africa – and Durban has the best weather. (Transport arrangements for Moses Mabhida Stadium)

Australia has only previously contested FIFA World Cups™ on German soil so it is perhaps no surprise they should open their third finals campaign against Germany.

Germany – Attacking Style

Germany’s attacking style clashes with Australia’s staunch defense, but the biggest contrast may be at goalkeeper. Aussie Mark Schwarzer has played nearly 700 professional games and 75 international caps, and holds the English Premier League record for most appearances by a foreign player.

On the opposite end of the pitch, 24-year-old Manuel Neuer is making his  World Cup debut, landed in the starting spot in place of an injured Rene Adler.  This came about because of the tragic death of their number one goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Australia vs Germany Goalkeepers will Feature

Both goalkeepers  in the Australia vs Germany match will be called upon to beat back some talented scorers: Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy for the Socceroos, and Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, and the newly naturalized Cacau for Die Nationalelf.

Coach Joachim Low has done a good job, keeping the organization and discipline associated with all German teams, and added more attacking flair.

However, Germany is without former captain Michael Ballack, who suffered an ankle injury in the FA Cup Final. With an average age of less than 26, this is the youngest German World Cup squad in 76 years.

You can watch live streaming sports on ESPN3

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