January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Germany likely to secure easy win in opener
There are 14 games between now and the next edition of the Bermuda Sun on Wednesday starting with the big kick-off tomorrow.
Germany v Costa Rica
Group A
Friday at 1pm
The host nation will be without captain and key player Michael Ballack, their only truly world class talent, for the opener.
He hasn't recovered from a calf-strain in time to take his place in the team and Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski or Borussia Dortmund's Sebastian Kehl will come in as a replacement.
Even without Ballack don't underestimate the Germans and look out for Lucas Podolski up-front against a shaky central American defence.
Former Derby Striker Paulo Wanchope will lead the charge for the talented, but unpredictable, Costa Ricans who will hope to cause another opening day upset.
Poland v Ecuador
Group A
Friday at 4pm
Not a glamour fixture most neutrals would have wanted on day one of the World Cup but both teams play attacking football so it should be a good game.
Ecuador beat Brazil and Argentina in the group stages so will be a challenge for Poland. They have a slight fitness worry over star striker Agustin Delgado, though.
Poland have no such worries with Celtic front man Maciej Zurawski ready to lead the line after a great season in Scotland.
England v Paraguay
Group B
Saturday at 10am
All the talk's been about Rooney's fitness this week but one thing's for certain, he won't play on Saturday.
Peter Crouch, who banged in a hat-trick in a friendly against Jamaica last week, is set to lead the front line along with Michael Owen.
Steven Gerrard believes he is only 50/50 to play after suffering a back injury in training and Jamie Carragher or Michael Carrick could deputise in midfield.
The rest of the squad is fit and ready to face a Paraguay side boosted by the news that their star man, Roque Santa Cruz, has won his fitness battle.
Trinidad v Sweden
Group B
Saturday at 1pm
Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke will lead his team into their first ever World Cup game as the Soca Warriors help make Dortmund into a mini-Trini on Saturday
The most colourful fans in the competition will turn the stadium into a sea of red and black and be ready to party win, lose or draw.
They're rank outsiders in this match but they'll be boosted by the news that Sweden's keeper Andreas Isakssonn will miss the match after being hit in the face with the ball.
Argentina v Ivory Coast
Group C
Saturday at 4pm
One of the must see games of the first round is in prospect here as the group of death gets under way. Ivory Coast, with their core of top Premiership players led by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Arsenal centre-back Kolo Toure, they'll be looking to cause an upset against the highly fancied Argentinians.
Barcelona's teen superstar Lionel Messi is unlikely to be risked in the starting eleven for the Argentinians who will most likely pair Corinthians hit-man Carlos Tevez with Chelsea's Hernan Crespo in attack. The dangerous Juan Roman Riquelme will roam behind the strikers while Man United's defender Gabriel Heinze is fit to play.
Serbia v Holland
Group C
Sunday at 10am
Led by giant Red Star Belgrade striker Serbia & Montenegro will be looking to spring a surprise on Holland.
But their preparations have been shaken up after midfielder Dusan Petkovic left the camp and said he would not play in the World Cup after criticism that he was only included because his dad is the coach.
They are also missing Manchester United stopper Nemanja Vidic who is suspended and will have their work cut out to contain a three-pronged Dutch attack featuring English Premier League trio Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Mexico v Iran
Group D
Sunday at 1pm
Tournament dark horses Mexico will fancy their chances of getting off to a flying start against outsiders Iran.
Keeper Oswaldo Sanchez will return to Germany to play despite flying home this week following the death of his father. Bolton's Jared Borgetti is set to lead the attack while Iran's key midfielder Mehdi Mahda vikia will be fit to play.
Angola v Portugal
Group D
Sunday at 4pm
Expect an electric atmosphere as World Cup debutants Angola kick off against their former colonial masters Portugal.
Angola have lost a couple of warm-up games but will be up for this game like no other.
Portugal meanwhile are on fine form and will look to a midfield packed with flair players like Ronaldo and Figo to provide the bullets for in-form striker Pauleta.
Australia v Japan
Group F
Monday at 10am
After drawing with Holland in a friendly Australia are chomping at the bit to get some serious action under their belts.
And they could easily be one of the surprise packages of this tournament. Liverpool winger Harry Kewell is fit to play while Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is in confident mood after his goal against the Dutch. Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka will captain the socceroos while Japan will look to Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura to provide their main goal threat
U.S. v Czech Republic
Group E
Monday at 1pm
American skipper Claudio Reyna has been cleared to play and team USA will be looking for an early win in one of the toughest groups in the competition.
They've got a host of familiar faces with New England's Clint Dempsey, a team-mate of Bermuda striker Khano Smith, likely to feature at some stage alongside more established English Premier Division stars like Brian McBride and keeper Kasey Keller.
Czech Republic star man Pavel Nedved is struggling to be fit after suffering a knee injury in training while striker Milan Baros is also an injury concern, so the U.S. will fancy their chances of upsetting the world order.
Italy v Ghana
Group E
Monday at 4pm
Many people's favourites to be the top European challenger a few weeks ago, Italy are struggling for supporters now following the news that midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso is likely to miss two group games, while centre-back Alessandro Nesta is also doubtful.
They can't afford a slow start in this group and the Black Stars, with Chelsea's Michael Essien bossing the midfield, will be in confident mood after a win and a draw against '02 semi-finalists South Korea and Turkey in the warm-ups.
South Korea v Togo
Group G
Tuesday at 10am
Togo make their World Cup debut against last year's shock semi-finalists South Korea with few pundits giving them a chance of making an impression.
But South Korea fared badly against African sides Ghana and Senegal in their friendly games so Arsenal hit man Emmanuel Adebayor will be licking his lips.
And Togo has just won the Miss World Cup pre-tournament beauty contest so anything could happen.
France v Switzerland
Group G
Tuesday at 1pm
These two teams must be sick of the sight of each other after drawing twice in qualifying.
France will be without Djibril Cisse whose World Cup is over after breaking his leg in a friendly against China. They'll pair Thierry Henry and David Trezuguet up front.
Brazil v Croatia
Group F
Tuesday at 4pm
What sweet torture it must be for Brazil's fans to wait this long to see their team swing into play.
With many pundits already handing them the trophy, this is the first chance to see how good they are.
Ronaldo has missed the last couple of training sessions with an illness but he's almost certain to start for Brazil who will look to the magic quartet of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ronaldo to provide the attacking talent.
Midfield battlers Ze Roberto and Emmerson will have to do all the leg work in midifeld.[[In-content Ad]]
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