BBC Sport

 

South Korea striker Lee Dong-Gook hopes to play some part in Saturday's game against Greece after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Captain Park Ji-Sung is fully fit despite missing the defeat to Spain because of a sore hamstring.

Greece defender Vangelis Moras will miss the match in Port Elizabeth with a thigh problem.

His absence could mean that midfielder Kostantinos Katsouranis drops back to play as a central defender.

MATCH PREVIEW

The bookmakers may rate South Korea and Greece as World Cup outsiders, but both sides know a thing or two about defying the doubters. The Koreans were the surprise package at the 2002 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals on home soil, while Greece were shock winners at Euro 2004, making a mockery of their pre-tournament odds of 100/1.

Recent form suggests it is South Korea who look the better bet in Group B. They were undefeated in qualifying and have beaten the Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Japan in recent friendlies. Huh Jung-Moo's men were also four minutes away from holding Spain to a goalless draw in their final warm-up.

South Korea will be taking part in their eighth World Cup but this is only Greece's second appearance. Greek fans will be hoping to erase the painful memories of USA '94, when the side lost all three group games, conceding 10 unanswered goals. While Otto Rehhagel's team impressed in their gritty play-off win against Ukraine, results this year have been less promising. They have lost to Senegal and Paraguay and could only draw 2-2 with North Korea.

Both goals against 'The Chollima' came from set pieces, and dead-ball deliveries could be crucial on Saturday. The Greeks are one of the tallest sides at the World Cup, with an average height of over 6ft (185cm). The South Korean squad measure up only an inch shorter, but the back four are not especially tall, something Rehhagel will surely look to exploit.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- Greece and South Korea have met only twice before in full internationals, both of which were friendlies. The sides drew 1-1 in Saudi Arabia in 2006 while a year later Korea won 1-0 in a match held at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

- They also met at the 2004 Olympics, with their group game ending in a 2-2 draw.

SOUTH KOREA

- They are Asia's most successful team at the World Cup. They first qualified in 1954 and have competed at every tournament since 1986.

- Victory against Togo in their 2006 opener is South Korea's only World Cup win overseas.

- Goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae is one of two veterans of USA '94 at the 2010 World Cup. Cameroon's Rigobert Song is the other.

GREECE

- Otto Rehhagel, 71, is the oldest coach at the World Cup, and the second longest-serving behind Denmark's Morten Olsen.

- Greece's Theofanis Gekas was top scorer in European qualification with 10 goals, finishing ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney and David Villa. Six of those goals came in two games against Latvia.

- Of all the European sides to have played at World Cup finals, Greece are the only team without a single goal. Outside of Europe, five other countries have failed to leave their mark: China, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Zaire and the Dutch Indies (now known as Indonesia).

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Michael Hester (New Zealand)

Assistants: Jan Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand) & Tevita Makasini (Tonga)

Fourth official: Martin Vazquez (Uruguay)

BBC Sport

 

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is tipped to switch to a three-man attack to accommodate Carlos Tevez.

The Manchester City striker is likely to play alongside Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi. Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez is set to start on the right side of midfield but may have to fill in at right-back when the Argentines are under pressure.

Nigeria will be without Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who withdrew from the squad due to a knee problem. His place could go to Monaco youngster Lukman Haruna, who has impressed in warm-up games.

MATCH PREVIEW

Diego Maradona won his last cap against Nigeria at USA '94, so there is a certain symmetry in the Super Eagles again providing the opposition for his first World Cup match as Argentina coach. Maradona's playing pedigree is without question, but he is probably the least experienced of all the coaches in South Africa.

Just like during his playing days, Maradona seems to relish surprising and outwitting all comers, and he is expected to abandon 4-4-2 in favour of a three-man attack. That formation should suit Lionel Messi and accommodate Carlos Tevez. "Carlitos cannot be left out of the team. He is an idol of the people, more than me and Lionel Messi, so I read," Maradona says.

Only two months ago Maradona said Argentina would line up this summer as they did against Germany in March, using a pragmatic 4-4-2 formation featuring four centre-backs. Was Maradona trying to sell watching scouts a dummy, or has he simply had a last-minute change of heart? And if things don't go to plan at Ellis Park, how long before Maradona again opts to shuffle his pack? With Sergio Aguero & Diego Milito in the squad, he's not short of options.

The Argentine bench alone could be enough to give Nigeria defender Danny Shittu sleepless nights. He could start against the South Americans despite failing to make a single appearance for Bolton this season. The Super Eagles' preparations have been far from smooth, and the withdrawal of Chelsea's John Obi Mikel was a real blow. Coach Lars Lagerback took Sweden to the last 16 at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups but has his work cut out this summer.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- Argentina are unbeaten in their three previous full internationals against Nigeria. The South Americans met the Super Eagles in the group stages of the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, winning 2-1 and 1-0. They also drew 0-0 in the Confederations Cup in 1995.

- The Argentines beat Nigeria in the final of the 2005 Fifa Under-20 World Cup and the gold medal match at the 2008 Olympics. The Africans did get the better of the Albiceleste at the 1996 Olympics, winning 3-2 in the final.

ARGENTINA

- Diego Maradona won the last of his 91 caps against Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup. He subsequently failed a doping test and was sent home from the tournament.

- The last time Argentina lost their opening World Cup game was against African opposition in 1990, when Cameroon beat them 1-0 at the San Siro in Milan.

- Lionel Messi scored 47 times in 53 games for Barcelona in 2009/10, but netted only four goals in Argentina's 18 qualifying matches.

NIGERIA

- Lars Lagerback was in joint charge of Sweden at the 2002 World Cup. The Swedes drew 1-1 with Argentina in their final group game, a result that eliminated the South Americans.

- The Super Eagles were unbeaten in qualifying, although they only booked their spot in South Africa thanks to Obafemi Martins' late winner against Kenya in their final match.

- Nigeria are the only African side to have reached the last 16 twice - they did so at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee:Wolfgang Stark (Germany)

Assistants: Jan-Hendrik Salver & Mike Pickel (both Germany)

Fourth official: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

BBC Sport

 

England manager Fabio Capello knows his starting XI for Saturday. Joe Cole is expected to replace the injured Gareth Barry in midfield, with Ledley King and Emile Heskey also in the side.

Rob Green, David James and Joe Hart are all vying to start in goal.

USA coach Bob Bradley has confirmed that Jozy Altidore will start up front after the striker recovered from the ankle sprain that kept him out of his team's 3-1 friendly win over Australia last Saturday.

The in-form Edson Buddle, who netted twice against the Socceroos, could partner Altidore in attack, with Robbie Findley likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Key defender Oguchi Onyewu remains a fitness concern for Bradley. The AC Milan player ruptured a knee tendon last October and only made his comeback on 26 May.

MATCH PREVIEW

It is 60 years this month since a part-time dishwasher named Joe Gaetjens humiliated England and gave the United States the most famous victory in their history.

His winning goal in a World Cup group match helped eliminate an England side that, like now, was among the pre-tournament favourites. There is little danger of England underestimating the opposition on Saturday.

The Three Lions under Fabio Capello's supervision know they must be wary of an American side that continues to be adept at big game hunting. Just ask Spain, who had set a world record of 15 consecutive victories before being beaten by the US in South Africa at last summer's Confederations Cup. The US then nearly overcame top-ranked Brazil in the final, leading 2-0 before succumbing to a cruel defeat.

US goalkeeper Tim Howard has promised his side "are going to fight and claw" on Saturday. Capello will demand that England respond by baring their teeth, as he himself has done in the dressing room and on the training pitch in recent weeks. Players and photographers alike have incurred his wrath.

England are the seeded team in the group and start as favourites, although several players are still auditioning for a regular starting role this summer.

The same can be said of the USA, who have failed with a cheeky bid to psych out England. The USA's new first-choice kit is based on the white one worn in the 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup, but they cannot wear it on Saturday as England are officially the home team and will play in white.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- The USA won 1-0 in the only previous competitive meeting between the two nations, at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. The USA's only other win against England was a 2-0 home victory in June 1993.

- England have won seven of their nine matches against the USA, including the last three.
England

- England have won all three of their internationals in 2010. They twice came from behind to win, against Egypt and Japan, having not previously managed to do so in four years.

- England are unbeaten in their last four opening matches at the World Cup.

- They have been held to more goalless draws than any other side in the history of the World Cup finals: nine of England's 55 matches have finished 0-0.

- Fabio Capello's side averaged 3.4 goals per game in the qualifying campaign, more than any other nation.

- Ledley King is poised to start a competitive England game for the first time in three years since he partnered John Terry in a 3-0 win against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
USA

- The USA's victory over Australia in their final warm-up match ended a run of four straight defeats against other nations competing at this summer's World Cup.

- They have gone 10 games without keeping a clean sheet.

- They have conceded at least two goals in all eight of their previous opening World Cup matches.

- The United States were top scorers in the World Cup qualifying campaign with 42 goals in 18 games.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

Assistants: Altemir Hausmann & Roberto Bratz (both Brazil)

Fourth official: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)