Confederations Cup Off To Scoreless Start In Johannesburg

The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup started on Sunday. It is being played in South Africa, host nation of next year's World Cup.

Group A:

At Johannesburg:

The opening match between South Africa and Asian champs Iraq ended in a 0-0 deadlock. We see white-cladded Iraqi players holding their ground against the hosts.

At Rustenburg:

Euro 2008 winners Spain, thanks to Fernando Torres' natural hat trick (6', 14', 17', he's pictured here mobbed by teammates) annihilated 2007-08 OFC Nations Cup titlists New Zealand 5-0.







GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Spain (GP: 1; GD: +5; PTS:3)
2. Iraq (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
2. South Africa (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. New Zealand (GP: 1; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

The top two finishers in each group, after each team played once against each of the three other teams in each group, advance to the semifinals.

The United States (CONCACAF Gold Cup winners of 2007) is placed in the considerably tougher Group B alongside Italy, Brazil, and Egypt. The Americans will get their crack at Italy on Monday in Pretoria.

Both Photos © Getty Images