It is pitty that South Africa is hosting the World Cup while their national team in its worst shape in its modern history. It is ranked one of the weakest sides in the tournament. It got a strong group, Uruguay, Mexico and France. I don't think they have a lot of chances to pass to the second round.
Most SA side got little European experience, 16 out of 23 players are playing in home country.
If SA didn't pass the first group, it will be the first World Cup host ever to leave at first round.
Yet, we gotta remember that without a single doubt the host nation has an advantage of playing in home ground. When we look into World Cup history, here are few observations:
- In previous World Cups, no host ever was knocked out of group stages. Even USA in 1994 with a very tough group of Columbia, Romania and Switzerland, they still managed to qualify to second round.
- A team like South Korea played 14 games without a single victory prior to 2002 WC. When they hosted the WC, they reached semi-final.
- The host reached the semi-final 12 out of 18 previous tournaments.
1930 - URUGUAY - WC Winner 1934 - Italy - WC Winner
1938 - France - Quarter Final 1950 - Brazil - 2nd Place
1954 - Switzerland - Quarter Final 1958 - Sweden - 2nd Place
1962 - Chile - 3rd Place 1966 - England - WC Winner
1970 - Mexico - Quarter Final 1974 - Germany - WC Winner
1978 - Argentina - WC Winner 1982 - Spain - Quarter Final
1986 - Mexico - Quarter Final 1990 - Italy - 3rd Place
1994 - USA - 16th Round 1998 - France - WC Winner
2002 - Japan / Korea - 16th Round / 3rd Place 2006 - Germany - 3rd Place
2010 - South Africa - ??????
I still think the odds are not into SA favour at all
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