England arrived in South Africa Thursday morning hoping a favorable first-round draw can be the catalyst for a serious World Cup challenge. Cool, clear conditions greeted some of the most watched performers in the global televised football arena when they landed at Johannesburg international airport with manager Fabio Capello. “I hope the World Cup will be a big success for South Africa and also for my team. Thank you. It is good to be here,” the Italian told reporters on the airport tarmac. Live broadcasts of virtually all English Premiership matches mean the stars of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are more recognizable to many South Africans than domestic equivalents. A recent survey here revealed England would be the second most popular team after Brazil among local supporters should the national side fail to go all the way in the June 11-July 11 tournament. Tight security surrounded the grey-suited England stars as they followed Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Denmark, United States, North Korea and Nigeria in reaching the first African country to host the World Cup. Once immigration formalities had been completed at a temporary arrival facility, England headed by luxury coach for Rustenburg, a town two hours' drive west of Johannesburg in the heart of a platinum-rich area. It is there at the 45,000-capacity Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12 that England launches its Group C campaign against the USA, shock victor 60 years ago in the sole previous World Cup clash between the countries. Unexpected qualifier Algeria will be the second and possibly weakest first round opponent at Cape Town Stadium six days later followed by another coastal setting for the game with Slovenia on June 23 in Port Elizabeth. - APSchweinsteiger on the spot to lift Germany LONDON - Helped by two penalties by Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany came from behind to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 while Mexico beat Italy 2-1 and Spain needed an 85th minute winner to edge South Korea 1-0 in warmup games Thursday, eight days before the World Cup in South Africa. Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko threatened an upset in Frankfurt with a 15th-minute strike for non-qualifier Bosnia which led at halftime. But Philip Lahm equalized in the 51st and Bastian Schweinsteiger fired home spot kicks in the 73rd and 78th to give the three-time champion Germans a boost ahead of their first Group D game against Australia in Durban on June 13. They go on to face Serbia and Ghana in one of the toughest groups. Carlos Vela gave the Mexicans a 16th-minute lead and Alberto Medina added a second in the 81st as Italy's slow defense was exposed in Brussels although Leonardo Bonucci replied for the World Cup-holder. Spain's winner was a 25-meter shot and a first in national colors for midfielder Jesus Navas as coach Vicente Del Bosque fielded many of his backup players in the Austrian city of Innsbruck. Cesc Fabregas made his first appearance since cracking a bone in his leg playing for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League in April and lasted the first hour without making any major impact.
