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Confederations Cup to kick-off in South Africa
Published: 14 June, 2009, 11:58
Children play football in front of a South African flag in Soweto on June 12, 2009 two days ahead of the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup (AFP Photo / Yasuyoshi Chiba)
Football's Confederations Cup is due to start in South Africa on Sunday. It is held every four years in the country, which will also be staging the World Cup next year.
The hosts play Iraq in the opening game of this eight-team tournament. The tournament is seen as a test run for next summer’s events.
Staff are making last minute preparations to the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, which will be the venue for Sunday’s game.
Also in group A are New Zealand and European Champions Spain, who play each other in the late game.
Brazil, meanwhile, enjoyed a light workout in Bloemfontein with Kaka among the big names in a full strength squad. They won the last Confederations Cup back in 2005 and start their title defense against Egypt on Monday.
Current world champions Italy will face the USA.
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