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98 Confederation analysis<br />
the African culture, mentality and lifestyle or knew too little<br />
about these factors. Another issue is the staging of the<br />
Africa Cup of Nations in the same year as the World Cup.<br />
The diffi culty resides in keeping players motivated and fi t<br />
for two such major <strong>com</strong>petitions. Two tournaments of this<br />
stature within six months of each other imposes an extreme<br />
mental burden on the players, particularly due to the great<br />
pressure to perform to which the players are also exposed at<br />
their clubs.<br />
North, Central America and<br />
the Caribbean<br />
Following Costa Rica’s defeat to Uruguay in the play-off,<br />
CONCACAF had only three representatives at the <strong>2010</strong><br />
World Cup, two of which qualifi ed for the second round,<br />
while the other failed to negotiate the group stage. After<br />
beginning their campaign with a surprise 1-1 draw against<br />
England, the USA then drew against Slovenia and defeated<br />
Algeria with a goal in additional time. This was enough to<br />
top the group, thus avoiding a duel with Germany in the<br />
next round. Nevertheless, the Americans’ stay in South<br />
Africa ended in the last 16, with Ghana proving too strong<br />
in extra time. Nevertheless, the USA impressed through<br />
their excellent team spirit, which enabled them to equalise<br />
after falling behind on three occasions (against England,<br />
Slovenia and Ghana). Mexico qualifi ed in second place in<br />
their group with a win (against France), a draw (against<br />
South Africa) and a defeat (against Uruguay). In a repeat<br />
of four years ago (except that the <strong>2010</strong> match was settled<br />
in normal time), the Mexicans’ campaign ended in defeat<br />
to Argentina. After a good start, El Tri were unlucky to go<br />
behind and never recovered. The team was <strong>com</strong>posed of<br />
a good blend of youth (Vela, Dos Santos) and experience<br />
(Torrado, Márquez and Osorio). Finally, after defeats to Chile<br />
and Spain, Honduras ended their campaign with a creditable<br />
goalless draw against Switzerland. The Hondurans showed<br />
themselves to be highly <strong>com</strong>petitive and good in defence,<br />
conceding only three goals in the group-stage matches. A<br />
lack of experience and fi repower were among the reasons<br />
for their early exit.
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