31 May 2010
The Denmark and Argentina football squads arrived in South Africa on the weekend, less than two weeks ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup kick-off. The USA World Cup squad was due to arrive later on Monday.
Denmark’s squad was led by coach Morten Olsen, who told commented on the chillier weather: “I think the conditions are not summer now … So surely it will be a very high pace in the games.”
Denmark, who will be based in Cape Town for the tournament, are drawn to play the Netherlands, Cameroon and Japan in group E. Their first game is against the Netherlands at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 14 June.
Olsen just named his 23-man squad for the finals on Friday, dropping goalkeeper Kim Christensen, midfielders Michael Silberbauer and Michael Krohn-Dehli, and striker Morten Rasmussen.
I love this place: Maradona
Argentina’s squad, led by Diego Maradona, was greeted by the media at OR Tambo International Airport. Taking questions, Maradona said: “I love South Africa.”
Barcelona top scorer Lionel Messi also appeared, but did not answer questions.
Argentina’s base in South Africa is at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.
Argentina have been drawn to play Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in their group, and the two-time World Cup winner begins their 2010 campaign against Nigeria at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on 12 June.
The USA squad, due to arrive later on Monday, will be based at Irene Country Lodge in Pretoria, and will train at the Pilditch stadium.
Source: Xinhua-BuaNews
