Group A was full of a buzz because the hosts were part of the lineup. The sentimentalists were hoping that South Africa could do it for the continent. Of course this was not likely given the previous form and Ghana was the better prepared team. However sometimes soccer is all about dreams rather than the reality that the players are living under. It is about finding the right balance with the different elements and ensuring that the game still has something to offer to the players. The group was predictable in some ways.
Uruguay came in at the top and it was not a universally popular choice. Uruguay had three winds and had a draw in another two. They actually lost a match and managed to accumulate four points. Or seven points under the different numbering systems. The team was good but there were those that thought that they won matches that they had no business winning. Mexico followed with one point. South Africa came in third which was rather disappointing given all the hype that was surrounding the games. Of course the hosts were simply happy enough to have the card to the games. The other thing of winning would have been a great bonus to them.
France then pulled the mother of all stunts when they came in at the bottom. For a team that had once tested glory this was an ignominious sign. They were simply not prepared for the game. It all started with the game against Ireland where all sorts of tricks were played. One of the star players had to retire soon afterwards and the team was severely punished by their leadership as well as the hostile press that felt the need to unleash their wrath on the people that were held responsible for the fiasco that was in South Africa. One cannot imagine what went wrong for such a great team. They should have been aiming for the Semi Finals but they left in disgrace. The charges keep piling up and it would appear that one of their members is facing severe punishment on other activities.