Confed Cup: Opening Day Match Preview

Argentina - Tunisia

Though playing without stars Hernan Crespo, Roberto Ayala and Juan Sebastian Veron, Argentina is one of those countries that produces soccer talent like other countries produce CO2 emissions. Coach Jose Pekerman still has Javier Saviola, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Zanetti, and defender Gabriel Heinze to pick from, all of whom will figure prominently in the Gauchos' attacking style. High off of a 3-1 spanking of Brazil in the World Cup qualifying rounds that secured them a spot in the 2006 World Cup, Argentina comes into the Confederations Cup tournament playing well enough to earn its "favorite" status.

Tunisia's star player is its coach, the Frenchman Roger Lemerre, who won the European Championship with France in 2000, and the Confederations Cup a year later. Lemerre has the Tunisians playing tight and disciplined in the back, waiting for the chance to counter. When they do, it's usually over the wings -- a mirror image of Argentina's style -- and to Francileude dos Santos Silva. The native Brazilian, who took Tunisian citizenship just before the Africa Cup last year, became the tournament's shooting star. Now, he's ready to make problems for the big names in the Confederations Cup. "On paper, we have no chance against Germany and Argentina," said Lemerre. "But you never know."

Possible lineup:

Tunisia - Boumnijel - Trabelsi, Jaidi, Abdi, Clayton - Ghodhbane, Nafti, Ben Saada, Mnari - Santos, Jaziri

Argentina - Leo Franco - Coloccini, Milito, Heinze - J. Zanetti, Cambiasso, Bernardi, Sorin - Riquelme - Tevez, Saviola

Germany - Australia

Germany comes into the tournament with a number of questions: Can the strikers score goals? Will the young defense stand up against major international competition? As a matter of fact, will the rest of the team stand up to major international competition? Because it is hosting the World Cup next year, Germany has been spared the intensity and pressure of qualification. As a result, coach Jürgen Klinsmann has been allowed to juggle around all sorts of lineup changes in the team's friendly matches. After this tournament, that should end. Tonight's match against Australia will be a chance for the strikers, most likely Kevin Kuranyi and Gerald Asamoah, to show their mettle in Klinsmann's offense-oriented playing style. The German defense, who all hover around the age of 22, will also have to prove itself -- Klinsmann ended practice this week with extra work for the defenders.

The definite underdog in this match-up, Australia, is nevertheless a team with big dreams. Their past Confed Cup performances give them good reason to hope. The team finished second in Riyadh in 1997, playing their way into the final before getting walloped by Brazil. In 2001, in South Korea and Japan, the team beat Brazil 1-0 to win third place and get their revenge. Coach Frank Farina remains confident: "We believe in ourselves," he told reporters the other day. His side is arguably one of the better ones in recent years, even without Liverpool striker Harry Kewell, who is injured. Midfielders Tim Cahill, Brett Merton and striker Mark Viduka all play in the English Premiership. Cahill will be responsible for directing the "Socceroos" attack, and will look to take advantage of Germany's maligned and relatively slow defense. The Everton midfielder also remains a goal-scoring threat, notching 12 for his club as it marched to a Champion's League qualifying spot and seven for his country in as many appearances. Captian Craig Moore will anchor the defense.

Possible lineup:

Germany - Kahn - B. Schneider, A. Friedrich, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger - Frings - Deisler, Schweinsteiger - Ballack - Kuranyi, Podolski

Australia - Schwarzer - Neill, Popovic, Moore, Muscat - Milicevic - Chipperfield, Skoko, Emerton - Cahill - Viduka