Match: South Africa Vs. Mexico
Unexpectedly Tough Tussle For Mexico
Scores: South Africa 1 (Siphiwe Tshabalala 55’) vs Mexico 1 (Rafael Marquez 79′)
Group: Group A
Venue: Johannesburg-Soccer City Stadium
Review: Had Mexican captain Rafael Marquez not scored the equalizer on 79th minute, South Africa would have created history by winning the opening match of 2010 FIFA World Cup. But that the Bafana Bafana forced a draw on Mexico and that their footballer Siphiwe Tshabalala became the first player to score a goal in the FIFA World Cup 2010 is no mean achievement by itself. Kudos to South Africa’s custodian Itumeleng Khune for his heroic efforts, for had he not hold the fortress tightly, a different story might have been scripted.
Siphiwe Tshabalala Enjoying After The Opening Goal
When Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov blew the whistle that kicked off the 2010 World Cup, even the die hard South African fan didn’t expect that their country which is 83rd ranked will display such a spirited football against the 17th ranked team in the World and the reining CONCACAF winner, Mexico. And expectedly in the first two minutes of the game Mexico came near to scoring. It was a low cross delivered by Paul Aguilar which Itumeleng Khune failed to smother. Alessandro Dos Santos was in a position to net the loose ball, only to be blocked by defender Aaron Mokoena.
The first 30 minutes of the match was completely dominated by the Mexicans and they created a flurry of chances. But none could be converted into goals. First, Guillermo Franco sent a header from a corner. Next, the livewire of the Mexican team, Dos Santos surged from the centre circle but his shot went wide from the edge of the box. After the 32nd minute, Carlos Vela sent a drop shot over the South African defense to Franco but Khune again came in the way. Few minutes later a Vela-Franco combined effort saw Vela converting Franco’s corner into goal, but was judiciously adjudged off-side. On the other hand Carlos Alberto Parreira’s South Africa did try to break the rearguard of Mexico, a couple of times in the first half, albeit fruitlessly. One of the chances were just before the recess when Tshabalala missed a scoring opportunity from a dangerous ball that his team mate Katlego Mphela had failed to head in. The first half ended in a goalless draw.
Rafael Marquez With Mexico's Reply
In the second half the Africans changed their gear and adopted a much balanced approach that looked to be more positive. In contrast, Mexico went for a higher defensive line that suddenly started looking vulnerable because of the South Africans’ counter attacks. And finally, 10 minutes into the second half came the glorious moment for Bafana Bafana. It was a four man move and South Africa found the net. Kagisho Dikgacoi lofted a long diagonal through and Siphiwe Tshabalala invaded the penalty box from the left before shooting a strong left footer in the opposite corner beating Mexico’s defense. Soccer City exploded and the frenzied fan raised the tempo by blowing vuvuzela to the maximum. However, Mexico continued to attack and 14 minutes later they found an off guard South African defense. A pass from Andres Guardado found an unmarked Rafael Marquez and the Mexican captain gave no chance to Khune with a near post finish. South Africa’s chance of clinching a victory came in the last few minutes of the match, when a left footer from Mphela struck the post and went out of danger zone. Alas, the hosts fell just short of creating history.
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