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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 26 May 2010 Title: SA to welcome first World Cup team -------------------- Pretoria - The Australian national soccer team is set to land at the OR International Airport this evening. Australia will be the first team to arrive in the country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, now a mere 15 days away. Five times World Champions, Brazil will follow 24 hours later as they arrive on Thursday morning. The Australians will play their first Group D match against 2006 Soccer World Cup host Germany on 13 June at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Ranked number 20 on the FIFA world rankings, Australia have appeared on the world stage just twice, but are now making up for lost time by claiming a second consecutive qualification. Following a breakthrough showing in 1974, where a team of amateur players were far from embarrassed despite a first-round exit, the sports-mad nation had to wait another 32 years for a return to the FIFA World Cup. After a 32-year absence from the world stage, Australia made a strong statement in Germany 2006, reaching the knockout stage where it took a last-minute goal from eventual champions Italy to eliminate Guus Hiddink's team. The squad, now under another Dutchman, Pim Verbeek, features many of the Germany 2006 personnel and is a battle-hardened and experienced group. "With the arrival of teams, the FIFA World Cup becomes real. This marks a very special moment because we have provided the stage, now the players take the spotlight and that is what the FIFA World Cup is about," said FIFA Secretary General J,r"me Valcke in a statement. - BuaNews |
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