SA need help from France

France have already qualified. Denmark have four points, scoring two goals and letting in one. South Africa have one point and have scored one goal and let in four.

The South Africans’ build-up to the match in Bordeaux has not been ideal. Two players – first choice striker Brendan Augustine and Naughty Mokoena – were sent home yesterday for going nightclubbing at the weekend.

Players have voiced discontent at that decision and also criticised Troussier’s match tactics.

“We’ve had some trouble,” admitted goalkeeper Hans Vonk. The odds are heavily in favour of Denmark because of the goal difference. But if Troussier’s team win 2-0 in Bordeaux and France beat the Danes by the same scoreline,South Africa will go through.

The Saudis have also had their share of internal problems. They sacked Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after the team lost their first two games.

Those defeats mean the Saudis have nothing but pride to play for, as they cannot reach the next stage of the competition. But Saudi officials believe that could liberate the team.

The players are no longer under any pressure and we hope that this match will reveal the true quality of Saudi Arabian football.”

Caretaker coach Mohammad Al-Kharashi must decide whether to go for broke with an attacking team in his first game in charge or opt for a safety-first approach after the morale-sapping 4-0 defeat to France last week.

Troussier will have to make at least one change from the starting-line up of the team which drew 1-1 with Denmark in a card-strewn game in Toulouse last week.

As Augustine has been banished, Delron Buckley is expected to take his place.

TEAMS

South Africa: 1-Hans Vonk, 5-Mark Fish,21-Pierre Issa, 11-Helman Mkhalele, 3-David Nyathi, 19-Lucas Radebe (captain); 10-John Moshoeu, 7-Quinton Fortune, 13-Delron Buckley; 9-Shaun Bartlett, 17-Benedict McCarthy.

Saudi Arabia: 1-Mohammed Al-Deayea; 2-Mohammed Al-Jahani, 3-Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi, 4-Abdullah Zubramawi, 13-Hussein Sulimani; 16-Khamis Al-Owairan; 7-Ibrahim Al-Shahrani, 6-Fuad Amin (captain), 10-Saeed Al-Owairan; 9-Sami Al-Jaber, 20-Hamza Saleh.