Match Report:
84,490 people crammed into the stadium today, for the kick off of the 2010 Fifa world cup. It wasn't a capacity crowd, but it sounded like they enjoyed themselves (fecking vuvelzas!!)
The game started off tentatively, but Mexico began to spread the ball around well. It was a very slow start by the host team. But George Hamilton was well ahead of the action, thanks to the fast commentary or slow pictures, whatever way you choose to look at it! From the very start, it was apparent there was a French director in charge of televising it to us saps, with the crappy, slow motion, pointless replays. They soon faded away, thank god.
For the first 10 minutes, South Africa didn't get anywhere near the ball. They decided to go with long ball tactics to Mphela who willingly chased down everything. Mexico on the other hand were spreading the ball round very well with neat touches. Also, from the beginning of the match, it was quick to see the problems with new new much maligned ball, as it had some unnatural bounces off the ground.
Mexico almost immediately targeted South Africa's weak left back. They were also pushing their opponents high up the pitch. The first threatening set piece was in the 16th minute, but Stephan Pienaar put it well over. South Africa eventually started to come into the game, but for some reason, completely ignored their right side flank for attacks. Poor Modise and Gaxa.
South Africa had a few glimpses of light, but they weren't getting Tshabala on the ball nearly enough for their liking. Both teams were very focused on counter attacking.
The Bafana Bafana's centre backs weren't really tested as Mexico's attacks came from the flanks. Around the 30th minutes, Dos Santos and Vela switched flanks and the move nearly payed off immediately. After some great dribbling by Vela he put a lovely ball in for Franco who was unfortunate not to score. From a corner, Carlos Vela then had a goal correctly ruled out for offside in the 38 minute after Khune came charging out like a madman. South Africa then started growing again, but half time had arrived upon us.
Following half time, South Africa picked up where they left off and started stronger then their opponents. At this stage, Mexico seemed apprehensive / cautious.
Then, in the 54th, we came across the first goal off the 2010 world cup :D and what a goal! Modise played a 1-2 with Dikgacol in midfield, and then proceeded the play a lovely ball into Tshabalala's path who rocketed a shot past the flapping Perez. If the goal was good, the celebration was even better, with some great choreography by the whole team. Bit too staged perhaps?!!
Then the game fell flat again for a while, even though Mexico were flat since half time. Then around the 60th minute, Giovanni Dos Santos, from the right hand side, unleashed a shot destined for the top corner until Khune made a fantastic stop. The Vuvelza's were blaring at this stage (unfortunately). In the 68th minute, South Africa had a peno shout, but I wouldn't have given it, when Rodrigouz edged Modise out of the way.
Around the 68th and 72nd minutes, Mexico became desperate and brought on 2 strikers, the 37 year old Blanco and Hernandez. The tie, slowly started to turn, but Mexico weren't getting close to the goal. In the 78th minute Mexico scored after South Africa switched off from a short corner. As their defence pushed out, they left 3 Mexicans unmarked at the back post and Gurado found Marquez with a pinpoint cross.
After their goal, the Mexican players had their tails up for a short while and started pressuring the tired South Africans, but in truth both teams were tired and the game petered out as South Africa went the long ball route and it nearly payed off in the last minute when Mphela hit the post from a Khune long ball.
Player Ratings: South Africa:
GK 16 Khune 6.5 Always looking for quick distribution, Great save from Dos Santos in the 60th minute.
RB 2 Gaxa 6 Grew in stature as game went on, made few forays forward in first half. Ambitious shot in the 80th minute.
CB 4 Mokoena 6.5 Held good line with Khumalo all game, had a few good challenges
CB 20 Khumalo 6 Very quiet in comparison with his defensive partner, but made a fantastic challenge on Hernandez in the 84 minute.
LB 15 Thwala 4 Worst player on pitch by far. The Mexicans targeted him all the time he was on the pitch, slung his hook at half time and quiet rightly too.
LM 8 Tshabalala 8.5 Man of the match. Brilliantly taken goal and a great dance followed it :) South Africa didn't get him on the ball nearly as much as they wanted in the first half. Also nearly set up Mphela in first half.
CM 13 Dikgacol 5.5 Earned a yellow for foul on Dos Santos, Had a header in first half, nothing else of note really.
CM 12 Letsholonyane 5 Quiet game, or disciplined game depending on your point of view from the Kaizer Chiefs man, in the holding role, with the fine head of hair.
RM 11 Modise 7 Had a low key first half, when he was caught offside a few times. But grew as the game went on. Set up Tshabalala for the goal with a nice ball.
AM 10 Pienaar 6.5 Enthusiastic and industrious as ever in the first half. Was always looking for the ball, but ran of of steam badly in the second half. Subbed for Parker in 83rd minute.
CF 9 Mphela 7 Like a South African version of Kevin Doyle, never stopped going, running all across the front line. Very unfortunate to hit post in last minute.
Subs: LB 3 Masilela 5.5 Came on for the terrible Thwala, but didn't really press a claim for a starting role next game. Received a yellow for foul on Juarez.
CF 17 Parker 5.5 Little time to make an impact
Mexico:
GK 1 Perez 5 Typical Latin goalie. Small (5'9'' I heard) and flapped at a couple of crosses, quick off line and not great feet.
RB 12 Aguilar 7.5 Best player by far in first half by far I thought, with loads of energy up the right wing. Subbed for some reason in 2nd half. Maybe injured?
CB 2 Rodriguez 6 Quiet game for both centre backs, but slightly more active then Osorio as he was the starting point for Mexico's adventures up the pitch.
CB 5 Osorio 5.5 Marshaled well with Rodriguez, but to be honest, didn't notice him much
.
LB 3 Salcido 6 Lost position a few times in first half, could have been in trouble if South Africa actually chose to go down his wing once in a while. Good feet at times though.
CM 16 Juarez 5.5 Received the first yellow card of the 2010 world cup, for a harshish handball call. Did feck all else tho.
DM 4 Marquez 8 Disciplined in the holding role, perhaps too deep sometimes. Yet had good distribution and scored the vital equaliser.
CM 6 Torrado 6 Started the game with great energy but the 31 year captain, inevitably ran out of steam. Was booked for challenge on Dikgacol.
RWF 17 Dos Santos 7 Most active player on pitch, often switching wings with Vela. Dropped deep to receive ball and dribbled at opponents fearlessly. Nearly scored a cracker in 2nd half.
LWF 11 Vela 7 Kicked around a bit at the start, but he should be used to it. Came into game when switched to left with nice runs and passes. Had goal ruled out for offside from corner in 1st half. Ran outta juice and subbed for Branco.
CF 9 Franco 6 Had a couple of poor headers and did nothing else of note apart from early chance in 32nd minute.
Subs:
RM 18 Gurado 6.5 Did shag all apart from the cross for the equaliser. Twas a good cross though.
CF 10 Blanco 6.5 The 37 year old looked cack when he first came on, but he started to look busy and actively seeked out the ball to make things happen.
CF 14 Hernandez 5.5 The new Man.United man didn't do much apart from a good chance in the 84th minute. I expected him to start, to be honest.
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