The OM players present in South Africa have all been through their first match of the 2010 World Cup. Victory, defeat, draw, in the starting line-up or on the bench, they have not all had the same destiny.

Group A
Mathieu Valbuena and Steve Mandanda watched France’s first group match from the bench. Against Uruguay, Raymond Domenech’s men only managed a 0-0 draw and neither of the OM players made it onto the pitch. The manager preferred to start with the Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris in goal, but in a match as tight as the one against Uruguay, Mathieu Valbuena’s vivacity could have brought something extra to the encounter.

Already played
South Africa 1-1 Mexico
Uruguay 0-0 France
To be played
South Africa -Uruguay
France-Mexico
Mexico-Uruguay
France- South Africa
Standings
1/ South Africa: 1 pt
2/ Mexico: 1 pt
3/ France: 1 pt
4/ Uruguay: 1 pt

Group B
Two Olympique de Marseille players are present in this pool: Taye Taiwo with Nigeria and Gabriel Heinze with Argentina. The first group stage match saw them face each other, with the Argentine defender coming out on top as early as the sixth minute, heading home the winning goal for the South Americans.
In the second half, while Gaby Heinze played the full match, Taye Taiwo was substituted after hurting his knee following a shot which could have gone in.
Diego Maradona’s side, one of the favourites of the competition, assumed their status straight away. Nothing is finished for Taye Taiwo and Nigeria, but they will have to get results against Greece and South Korea.

Already played
South Korea 2-0 Greece
Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
To be played
Argentina-South Korea
Greece-Nigeria
Nigeria-South Korea
Greece-Argentina
Standings
1/ South Korea: 3 pts
2/ Argentina: 3 pts
3/ Nigeria: 0 pt
4/ Greece: 0 pt

Group D
The Ghana side of André Ayew have taken an early advantage over their direct rivals for the last 16. Effectively, the Black Stars defeated Serbia in a match which the Olympian played in its entirety. André Ayew put in a great performance on the left wing of the Ghana attack.

Already played
Serbia 0-1 Ghana
Germany 4-0 Australia
To be played
Germany-Serbia
Ghana-Australia
Ghana-Germany
Australia-Serbia
Standings
1/ Germany: 3 pts
2/ Ghana: 3 pts
3/ Serbia: 0 pt
4/ Australia: 0 pt

Group E

In their first match of the 2010 World Cup, Stéphane Mbia and Cameroon were caught cold by Japan, losing 1-0. The OM midfielder, frequently played at centre back by Didier Deschamps, was positioned at right-back. Cameroon dropped important points in a difficult group, which should see the two places in the last 16 disputed between Holland, Cameroon and Japan.

Already played
Holland 2-0 Denmark
Japan 1-0 Cameroon
To be played
Holland-Japan
Cameroon-Denmark
Cameroon-Holland
Denmark-Japan
Standings
1/ Holland : 3 pts
2/ Japan: 3 pts
3/ Cameroon: 0 pts
4/ Denmark: 0 pt

Group G
We won’t see very much of him on the pitch, except during the warm-up, but his position is very important within the Ivory Coast squad. Laurent Spinosi, OM’s goalkeeping coach is also in this position for the duration of the World Cup with the Ivory Coast squad of Sven-Goran Eriksson. Laurent Spinosi’s protege, the goalkeeper Boubacar Barry did not concede against one of the favourites, Portugal. No goals were scored in this encounter. The Ivory Coast keeper was saved by his post following a Cristiano Ronaldo shot which flew past him.

Already played
Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal
Brazil 2-1 North Korea
To be played
Brazil-Ivory Coast
Portugal-North Korea
Portugal-Brazil
North Korea –Ivory Coast
Standings
1/ Brazil: 3 pts
2/ Portugal: 1 pt
3/ Ivory Coast: 1 pt
4/ North Korea: 0 pt