Pretoria-Germany and Uruguay are set to lock horns in a third-place play-off showdown of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.

When the two sides met in a third-place play-off match during the 1970 World Cup, West Germany beat the South Americans 1-nil.

The Germans, who have been in form since the start of the tournament lost 1-nil to Spain in a semi-final match on Wednesday. They were also stopped in their tracks in the semi-finals by Italy when they hosted the event in 2006.

However, they finished in third position after beating Portugal 3-1.

Uruguay is set to break-down the German defence with their two lethal strikers, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez.

The South Americans were in fine form throughout the tournament until they were defeated 3-2 by the Dutch in a thrilling semi-final match.

Germany coach, Joachim Low, said while his side had been disappointed about not making the final, they were focused on the play-off. "Obviously we now have to get over our disappointment, lift the players' spirits and prepare for this game just as seriously as we would any other. We want to finish the World Cup on an upbeat note because, despite losing the semi-final, we've had a very good tournament. I'm really proud of my team," he told FIFA.com.

The match will kick-off at 20:30.

Source: BuaNews  

Pretoria - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sung South Africa's praises for hosting a "memorable" World Cup.

"I am happy. I am satisfied that the World Cup in South Africa was a good one. Africa can be proud to have organised this and South Africa can be even prouder," said Lula, who was speaking at the Union Buildings during his state visit to the country.

He said his country will learn from South Africa's experiences about what it would take to stage FIFA's quadrennial showpiece in 2014.

Brazil will stage the 2014 World Cup - the second time the South American nation has hosted the tournament since 1950.

President Jacob Zuma said South Africa was ready to share the lessons gained.

Zuma joked that he would have preferred the final match to be between South Africa and Brazil but unfortunately this did not materialize.

South Africa was knocked out in the first round while Brazil was knocked out in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands.

"South Africa will settle the score with Uruguay in Brazil at the 2014 tournament. I am sure that you will want to do the same with the Netherlands."

Zuma said he was very excited about the way the soccer tournament had proceeded.

"All the 32 teams that have played in this tournament are winners. And all the millions that have watched the competition from the comfort of their homes, from stadiums or fan parks are also winners. It has been a tournament of champions."

Meanwhile, Lula might not attend the World Cup final game between Spain and the Netherlands on Sunday. He said he has been travelling for eight days- and there were other commitments back at home.

He refereed to the recent floods that engulfed the north-eastern regions of that country, claiming a number of lives.

Zuma said he would not be persuading Lula to stay for the ceremony as he would have done the same.

Already, Lula has visited Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Source: BuaNews