South Africa v. Mexico 1-1 11/Jun/10

First Round, First Game, Group A, Day 1.


Tshabalala, Shubidubi... ehrm, WHATEVER!
[Photo: AP/Martin Meissner via Le Monde]


Today, the World's largest football tournament began after the long usual wait of four years. Each time, hundreds of thousands of supporters watch each of the 64 games in order to see if their country or their favourite will step up to the challenge. This time, in the very beginning it was the turn of hosts South Africa and Mexico to open with an scintillating draw. With millions of eyes watching the inauguration, some pundits believed that it was the South African team who could have got the three points: I disagree. And not just because I am Mexican, but because Aguirre's team, with all its horrid defending, should have brought to at least two goals up in the very first minutes.

It all began even when some previews gave the advantage to the hosts and when history was against Mexico, Aguirre's men rise to give one of the poorest exhibitions of football a Mexican side has offered. Even when the South Africa team showed a lack of order and were critically overvalued, it was the support of the home crowd that took them to such confident places. Zonal Marking verdict was brilliant, as always.



Márquez brilliant control earned him a valuable goal.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


As if Mexico's history in World Cups would endlessly repeat itself over and over, the visitors dominated large portions of the match. Already with the first chance, in the 9th minute and with such an overwhelming superiority, the vuvuzelas did not stop for a second. Even when Aguilar had a clear one-way run in the right side, he dared not to cross until the 20th minute. Efforts from Márquez and Dos Santos proved Parreira wrong.

Franco's strike was saved by Khune and as the match wore off, the deadlock seemed to be unbreakable despite the advantages the African team was giving. Seven minutes before the halftime whistle Vela got an goal denied; he was clearly in offside despite the most ignorant replies from some Mexican (and respected English pundits). The half ended when the Mexicans tried to push harder and encountered resistance in the form of possession. For the first time in the game, in the 44th minute, the South Africans took control of the ball.



Two on one.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


With actions well under way, the Mexican suffered a stunner with just ten minutes from beginning: Siphiwe Shubidubi, sorry, Tshabalala fired a cracker top corner after a thunderous counter. In previous occasions the Mexicans have been vulnerable to quick counterattacks and set pieces -this was a dangerous proof of it. With nearly thirty minutes to go, the pressure piled up so much that the entire set of Televisa Deportes was fuming with each of Irmatov's decisions. Practically the game was a well-played match despite the obvious help from the FIFA.

The dynamic of the match was decided: the African team should wait, due to the poor physical presence they had, and the visitors poundered with all their might A quick succession of passes led Mphela alone to finish but the solid pressure and work from Pérez earned him dividends. With all three substitutions made, the Mexicans had fifteen minutes to equalise the scoreboard.

That did happen when the dreadful marking of Khune's defence gave the chance to Márquez to fire a well-taken shot after some dexterous control. With seconds to go, Mphela again proved luck with a shot on the post. Luckily for the Mexicans, the game was over before another long ball from hero Khune could reach the box.