Previewing Wednesday’s featured matches
Group H
Honduras vs. Chile
Where: Nelspruit
Time: 4:30 a.m. PDT
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision; Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1
Group H is the last of the eight groups to get underway and that’s been good news for both Chile and Honduras, who have been rushing to get players healthy. For Honduras, making its first World Cup appearance in 28 years, playmaker Julio De Leon has joined a list of injured players that already includes midfielder Wilson Palacios and striker David Suazo. De Leon was injured in training Monday and is doubtful for the World Cup opener. And while Palacios appears to be well enough to start, Suazo may be forced to come off the bench for a team already missing forward Carlos Costly. The injury news is less favorable for Chile and its star striker, Humberto Suazo, who scored 10 times in qualifying. After battling injuries much of the spring, he strained a thigh in training two weeks ago, and while he is making progress in his recovery he is doubtful for this match.
—Kevin Baxter
Group H
Spain vs. Switzerland
Where: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.
Time: 7 a.m. PDT
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision; Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5 and KDLD-FM 103.1
Tournament favorite Spain is the last of the “big eight” teams to make its World Cup debut and will be hoping to emulate Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands, all of whom won, rather than England, France and Italy, all of whom were tied in their respective openers. Coach Vicente del Bosque’s team has world-class talent at almost every position, but particularly on offense with Xavi and Andres Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield and David Villa providing the punch up top. Striker Fernando Torres is not expected to start but might come off the bench. Swiss Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will have to make do without forward Alex Frei, Switzerland’s all-time leading goal scorer, and midfielder Valon Behrami. They have ankle and thigh injuries, respectively. The Swiss will be defending and hoping for a point. The Spanish will be trying to show that they are even better now than when they won the European championship in 2008.
—Grahame L. Jones
Group A
South Africa vs. Uruguay
Where: Pretoria
Time: 11:30 a.m. PDT
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision; Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1
Surprisingly, the Bafana Bafana come into this match ahead of Uruguay in the group standings. If this match goes to form, South Africa will return to Earth with a thud — but with another large and loud hometown crowd expected as South Africa celebrates its Youth Day holiday, form likely goes out the window. After a tentative start, South Africa played well in its opening tie with Mexico, which certainly built the team’s confidence. “It is a big day in South Africa history and we as players want to beat Uruguay and take a step closer to reaching the knockout phase and thereby making it a double celebration for South Africa,” midfielder Steven Pienaar said. Uruguay, meanwhile, was repeatedly frustrated in its scoreless tie with France, managing just three shots on goal. As a result La Celeste may start three forwards against South Africa, pairing regulars Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez with Edinson Cavani.
—Kevin Baxter
