Friday June 11, 2010 Group Phase: Group A Finished Soccer City Stadium
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Mexico peg back South Africa
The World Cup opened with a pulsating 1-1 draw between South Africa and Mexico as a late goal deprived the hosts of victory at Soccer City. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- South Africa
- Mexico
90+3' FULL-TIME! South Africa and Mexico share the spoils in the opening match of the World Cup, an entertaining 1-1 draw. Stay logged on to check out our ratings and see who gets the man-of-the-match award and we will have full coverage from tonight's encounter between France and Uruguay.- 90+1' Mphela cannot bring the ball down and Mexico clear their lines.
- 90' A extraordinary amount of noise as we head into three minutes of added time.
89' Mphela hits the post! A long ball over the top again sees Mexico exploited but he pokes his effort against the near upright from close range.- 88' Blanco's cross is flicked over the top by Hernandez.
- 87' The referee has had a fine game today.
- 86' Centre-half Osorio goes on the latest of many marauding runs but hits the deck softly and the decision goes against him.
- 85' Blanco coaxes in a free-kick but the hosts head clear.
- 84' Host nations have never lost their first match at the World Cup, winning 14 and drawing five. Is that about to change?
- 83' Hernandez thinks he should have a corner - another fine block by Khumalo regardless.
82' Pienaar is replaced by FC Twente striker Bernard Parker.- 81' 10 minutes left and all to play for!
- 80' Gaxa's long-range swerver is punched away by Perez.
79' GOAL MEXICO! Rafael Marquez levels the match. South Africa get caught napping and leave the Barcelona man free at the back post who takes down the cross supremely before dispatching into the corner.- 77' A devilish cross from the left is turned away for a corner.
- 76' Match Image Tshabalala scores a screamer
- 75' Again some lovely crisp one-touch passing from Bafana Bafana but Perez is off his line smartly to cut out the final ball.
- 74' Javier Hernandez is a third generation World Cup player. His father, who goes by the same name, was a part of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup squad, however, did not enter the pitch in any of ‘El Tri’s five World Cup matches in that year. Young Javier’s maternal grandfather, Tomás Balcazár, represented Mexico in the 1954 World Cup.
- 73' Match Image Tshabalala dances with team mates after he scored the first goal.
- 72' Giovani attempts to turn on the edge of the box but Khumalo is strong and clears his lines.
- 71' Franco is replaced by new Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez.
70' Masilela is booked for a reckless foul on Efrain Juarez. Almost Benjamin Massing like in its reckless-ness. Almost.- 69' Modise's shot is saved by the legs of the outrushing Perez. He was being put under pressure from Rodriguez who did just enough to prevent the Orlando Pirates midfielder from getting away a clean effort.
- 68' Vela is replaced by 37-year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the oldest outfield player at the World Cup in his third tournament.
- 67' Mexico preparing to make a double change.
- 66' Franco chests the ball down eight yards from goal but is not afforded enough space to get a shot away.
- 65' Pienaar's shot is deflected into the path of Mphela six yards out. Shocking miss from the Mamelodi Sundowns striker but the flag is already up for offside.
- 64' EarlyBoers on Twitter: "Guy in crocodile costume is jumping out in front of people as they walk into toilets. God knows why, but it's amusing." Follow EarlyBoers
- 63' Great one-touch play in the build-up to the goal and it was Modise who exploited the hole in the right-side of the Mexico defence with a great pass.
- 62' Dikgacoi's long-range skidding strike is an easy save for Perez.
- 61' South Africa are the second lowest ranked World Cup competitor in the FIFA World Rankings but they are upsetting the form book at the moment.
- 60' What a save! A fierce strike from Giovani is heading for the top corner only to be clawed over the top by Khune.
- 59' Franco goes to ground in the area looking for a penalty but nothing doing and Dos Santos's free-kick is held by Khune.
- 58' Torrado booked for blocking off Dikgacoi.
- 57' Andres Guardado has replaced Aguilar.
- 56' Wild celebrations and a choreographed dance from the Bafana Bafana players.
- 55' GOAL SOUTH AFRICA!! Siphiwe Tshabalala breaks the deadlock with a belter of a strike. Mexico caught with too many men up the field and the Kaizer Chiefs man dispatches the ball into the top corner with a rasping diagonal shot from the left side of the penalty area.
- 52' A little more freedom being shown by the hosts but still no final product.
- 51' Another darting run from Giovani but closed off on the edge of the penalty area.
- 50' Match Image Vela's goal ruled offside
- 49' Remember South Africa are unbeaten in 13 matches since Carlos Alberto Parreira started his second spell as national team coach in October 2009.
- 48' A clever turn from Tshabalala and a deep cross intended for Modise is crucially flicked away by Salcido.
- 47' It is a beautiful evening in Jo'burg but still plenty of empty seats at the start of the second-half. Some fans slow to get back to their positions.
- 46' A change at left-back for South Africa as Tsepo Masilela replaces Lucas Thwala.
- - Today's Venn answer is that Zinedine Zidane (France), Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland) and Ray Wilkins (England) were the first players for their respective nations to be sent off at a World Cup finals. A new Venn tomorrow
- - International Press Review - check out the headlines and stories from around the globe + World Cup Gallery - all the best pictures from the tournament + World Cup Venn - can you work out what links the men in the pictures. Every morning in the World of Sport blog
- - The ticker is the definitive one-stop shop for everything that is going on in South Africa. Don't miss anything with links to more than 100 stories from 7am to 11pm every day LIVE ticker
- - During half-time, a little reminder of all our special content we are running during the World Cup. Arsene Wenger, Robbie Earle, Paul Parker, Jim White, the Armchair Pundit and Early Boers - direct from South Africa - will be blogging throughout the tournament. Plus regular opinion from Eurosport's Soccer Live panel - Roger Milla, Giovane Elber, Patrick Kluivert, Enzo Francescoli and Franck Leboeuf - and discuss all the contentious decisions with former FIFA referee Gilles Veissière. View all bloggers
- 45+2' An entertaining opening period comes to an end. No goals but plenty of incident.
- 45+1' South Africa finishing the first-half on the front foot.
- 45' South Africa win a couple of corners in quick succession and a great leap by Dikgacoi at the back post but he is unable to get his header on target.
- 44' Modise releases Siphiwe Tshabalala down the left and his delicious centre is just a couple of centimetres away from being met by the head of Mphela.
- 43' Poor delivery from Modise and Osorio hacks clear.
- 42' Perez is all over the place from the corner but Franco gets the vital touch. Another corner.
- 41' South Africa's best passing movement but marauding full-back Siboniso Gaxa sees his cut back from the by-line cut out by the sliding Francisco Rodriguez. The hosts have their first corner.
- 40' Yet another free header from a set piece and this was the best of the lot. Franco gets ahead of Mokoena but again fails to hit the target from 10 yards after a pinpoint free-kick delivery from Giovani.
- 39' michaelreape: 'so difficult to watch this on tv because of those stupid horns'
38' DISALLOWED! Khune comes off his line and Vela turns home the near post flick. There was a man on the line but because the keeper was in advance of the Arsenal striker, the goal is chalked off. Great decision.- 37' Vela and Franco combine and Giovani's shot flicks off the thigh of Khumalo for a third Mexican corner.
- 36' With just Mphela up front on his own, South Africa lack an outlet to relieve the pressure.
- 35' Mexico have not been eliminated in the group phase since 1978, a run of five appearances without a group phase exit. In each of the last four World Cups they were knocked out in the Last 16.
- 34' countyofinter: "Mexico are carving them up already. Very surprised if SA get anything out of this game." Leave your comments below.
- 33' Arsenal's Vela in space in the penalty area but too much pace on his cross-cum-shot and it goes out for a goal kick. Giovani was lurking.
- 32' Mexico continue to look the most likely to break the deadlock.
- 31' Good save by Khune! Carlos Vela picks out Franco with a delightful chip but the home keeper makes himself big and claws away the goalbound effort from close range.
- 30' Mexico have had 61% of the possession in the opening half hour.
- 29' SA captain Aaron Mokoena made his 100th appearance for Bafana Bafana in a 5-0 win against Guatemala on 31 May, becoming the 11th African player to reach a century of caps. The list contains seven players from Egypt, two from Cameroon and one from Morocco.
- 28' A free-kick 35 yards out is just over the top from Marquez. The Barcelona defender unable to get enough dip on the controversial Jabulani ball.
- 27' Fulham's Dikgacoi booked for clipping the heels of the marauding Dos Santos.
- 26' Pienaar puts Ricardo Osorio under pressure in his own penalty area but it is a push.
- 25' Great rangy pass from Franco across to Salcido who has tricky feet but is crowded out on the edge of the penalty area.
- 24' A wild 35-yard drive from Modise fails to test Perez - South Africa's first effort on goal from open play.
- 23' Mexico have played in the opening match of a World Cup four times before. In 1930, they lost 4-1 against France, in 1950 they lost 4-0 against Brazil, in 1958 they lost 3-0 against Sweden and in 1970 they drew 0-0 with Soviet Union.
- 22' Decent move from Bafana Bafana but Kagisho Dikgacoi 's low cross from the right is too close to Perez.
- 21' Khune claims another Aguilar centre - hung up for too long.
- 20' Gerardo Torrado's free-kick is headed away by the hosts in yellow shirts.
- 19' Giovani Dos Santos has been the best player on show in the opening 20 minutes, he bursts through but his fiercely struck shot from 20 yards swerves wide. Another presentable opportunity for the lively Mexicans.
- 18' Efrain Juarez receives the first yellow card for handball 40 yards from goal.
- 17' Aguilar is a constant outlet down the right for Mexico but Khune claims his cross comfortably.
- 16' Decent effort from Pienaar but not quite enough dip and it fails to test Perez.
- 15' Siphiwe Tshabalala is blocked off on the edge of the penalty area by Carlos Salcido and a free-kick 30 yards out for South Africa.
- 14' Guillermo Franco meets Giovani's corner at the near post - it's a free header but way over the top. Another decent chance.
- 13' Aguilar goes down in the penalty box but it is a clean tackle from Lucas Thwala. Mexico's second corner.
- 12' Mexico have a highly fluid formation with attacking players interchanging.
- 11' Paul Aguilar strays offside as Efrain Juarez delays his dink over the SA defence.
- 10' 'Bafana Bafana' are making their third World Cup appearance. They did not survive the group stage in 1998 and 2002.
- 9' Mexico keeper Oscar Perez off his line to hack away a long ball intended for lone frontman Katlego Mphela.
- 8' A little better from the hosts but Teko Modise can't reach the probing ball down the right.
- 7' Gerardo Torrado upends Steven Pienaar, SA's key man.
- 6' African countries have always won World Cup opening matches - Cameroon vs Argentina in 1990 and Senegal vs France in 2002 - but a nervous opening from South Africa.
- 5' It is all Mexico at the moment but this time Tottenham's Dos Santos sees his cross claimed by Khune.
- 4' Poor marking and a free header for Rafael Marquez but off target and Bongani Khumalo clears.
- 3' Big chance four Mexico! Home keeper Itumeleng Khune fails to hold a low cross from the right and Giovani Dos Santos almost smuggles in the rebound. Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena does just enough to divert the shot for a corner.
- 2' Lots of early possession for Mexico - no sign of the vuvuzelas abating.
1' Ravshan Irmatov, the referee from Uzbekistan, blows his whistle and THE 2010 WORLD CUP FINALS ARE UNDERWAY!- 14:55 FIFA president Sepp Blatter makes a speech and then South African President Jacob Zuma officially declares the tournament open. The match has been blighted by the absence of a grief-stricken Nelson Mandela. Today's news headlines
- 14:50 The teams come out to a cacophony of noise, a deafening sound from thousands of home fans blowing their vuvuzelas - the plastic trumpet.
- 14:45 The two also met in a 1993 friendly in Los Angeles with 'El Tri’ crushing their African foes 4-0. In the 2000 US Cup, Mexico defeated South Africa 4-2 in Dallas.
- 14:40 South Africa and Mexico have met three times before. Interestingly, all three matches were played on American soil. Most recently, they locked horns in the 2005 Gold Cup, with ‘Bafana Bafana’ winning 2-1 in Los Angeles.
- 14:35 Will we gets goals this afternoon - history suggests not many. A look back at previous World Cup opening day matches.
- 14:30 South Africa are hoping to avoid becoming the first host nation to exit at the group stage. The hosts' record at the World Cup
- 14:25 Summaries of the previous opening matches of the World Cup hosts
- 14:20 Fighter jets sped low over Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium briefly drowning out the constant din of tens of thousands of vuvuzela trumpets as South Africa opened the 2010 World Cup with a celebration of African culture. World Cup kicks off in African celebration
- 14:15 Mexico have picked striker Guillermo Franco, just back from injury, ahead of Javier Hernandez in their starting team. He will partner Carlos Vela in an attacking line-up with Giovani dos Santos playing behind the front two. Defender Rafael Marquez was also included despite some doubts about his availability at the start of the week.
- 14:10 South Africa are starting with just three foreign-based players, an expression of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's faith in a well-drilled group of locals who have been training intensively since March. The coach has preferred Lucas Thwala at left back to Tsepo Masilela, who played in the Champions League last season. Katlego Mphela will play up front on his own, with Teko Modise and Steven Pienaar the key players.
- 14:05 Teams - South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 15-Lucas Thwala, 20-Bongani Khumalo, 4-Aaron Mokoena; 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar, 11-Teko Modise, 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala; 9-Katlego Mphela. /// Mexico: 1-Oscar Perez; 16-Efrain Juarez, 4-Rafael Marquez, 2-Francisco Rodriguez, 3-Carlos Salcido; 6-Gerardo Torrado, 12-Paul Aguilar, 5-Ricardo Osorio; 17-Giovani Dos Santos, 9-Guillermo Franco, 11-Carlos Vela.
- 14:00 The World Cup kicks off as Mexico face hosts South Africa in the deafening cauldron of Johannesburg's 90,000-seat Soccer City stadium.
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Summary
- 89' Mphela hits the post! A long ball over the top again sees Mexico exploited but he pokes his effort against the near upright from close range.
- 79' GOAL MEXICO! Rafael Marquez levels the match. South Africa get caught napping and leave the Barcelona man free at the back post who takes down the cross supremely before dispatching into the corner.
- 69' Modise's shot is saved by the legs of the outrushing Perez. He was being put under pressure from Rodriguez who did just enough to prevent the Orlando Pirates midfielder from getting away a clean effort.
- 60' What a save! A fierce strike from Giovani is heading for the top corner only to be clawed over the top by Khune.
- 55' GOAL SOUTH AFRICA!! Siphiwe Tshabalala breaks the deadlock with a belter of a strike. Mexico caught with too many men up the field and the Kaizer Chiefs man dispatches the ball into the top corner with a rasping diagonal shot from the left side of the penalty area.
- 45+1' South Africa finishing the first-half on the front foot.
- 45' South Africa win a couple of corners in quick succession and a great leap by Dikgacoi at the back post but he is unable to get his header on target.
- 44' Modise releases Siphiwe Tshabalala down the left and his delicious centre is just a couple of centimetres away from being met by the head of Mphela.
- 40' Yet another free header from a set piece and this was the best of the lot. Franco gets ahead of Mokoena but again fails to hit the target from 10 yards after a pinpoint free-kick delivery from Giovani.
- 38' DISALLOWED! Khune comes off his line and Vela turns home the near post flick. There was a man on the line but because the keeper was in advance of the Arsenal striker, the goal is chalked off. Great decision.
- 31' Good save by Khune! Carlos Vela picks out Franco with a delightful chip but the home keeper makes himself big and claws away the goalbound effort from close range.
- 19' Giovani Dos Santos has been the best player on show in the opening 20 minutes, he bursts through but his fiercely struck shot from 20 yards swerves wide. Another presentable opportunity for the lively Mexicans.
- 14' Guillermo Franco meets Giovani's corner at the near post - it's a free header but way over the top. Another decent chance.
- 3' Big chance four Mexico! Home keeper Itumeleng Khune fails to hold a low cross from the right and Giovani Dos Santos almost smuggles in the rebound. Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena does just enough to divert the shot for a corner.
- 14:05 Teams - South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 15-Lucas Thwala, 20-Bongani Khumalo, 4-Aaron Mokoena; 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar, 11-Teko Modise, 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala; 9-Katlego Mphela. /// Mexico: 1-Oscar Perez; 16-Efrain Juarez, 4-Rafael Marquez, 2-Francisco Rodriguez, 3-Carlos Salcido; 6-Gerardo Torrado, 12-Paul Aguilar, 5-Ricardo Osorio; 17-Giovani Dos Santos, 9-Guillermo Franco, 11-Carlos Vela.
Team Line-up & Ratings
South AfricaManager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
MexicoManager: Javier Aguirre
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- I. Khune
- S. Gaxa
- A. Mokoena
- B. Khumalo
- L. Thwala
- K. Dikgacoi
- R. Letsholonyane
- S. Tshabalala
- S. Pienaar
- T. Modise
- K. Mphela
Subs
- M. Booth
- M. Sibaya
- S. Nomvethe
- M. Josephs
- L. Davids
- S. Moriri
- A. Ngongca
- T. Masilela
45′ - B. Parker 83′
- S. Walters
- S. Sangweni
- T. Khuboni
Starting line-up
- Ó. Pérez
- P. Aguilar
- R. Osorio
- F. Rodríguez
- C. Salcido
- R. Márquez
- E. Juárez
- G. Torrado
- G. Dos Santos
- C. Vela
- G. Franco
Subs
- C. Blanco 69′
- A. Bautista
- A. Medina
- A. Guardado 55′
- L. Michel
- J. Magallón
- I. Castro
- G. Ochoa
- P. Barrera
- J. Torres
- H. Moreno
- J. Hernández 73′
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Rate Players
You can't be offsides on a corner kick dumbasses...and you can't be offside when you're behind the ball...
The Nigeria Supper Eagle team will successfully qualify to the next stage of the tournament with their fantastic game.
it was basically the whole world vs mexico
and had england scored a "disallowed" goal like that the biased bastud commentator wud've come up with thier own theory.. that goal should've stood and we were the better team
we'll defeat france and uruguay and beat south korea in the second round..
beat england in the quarter finals..
then beat brazil in the semi's..
then beat spain the finals and win the world cupHere we go again!! Disallowing goals!!
Why at every World Cup we have to put up with this Mediocre Sub-standard Referees officials being corrupted at such a Big worldwide Competition?
Fifa are a Big Big Disgrace again !! First clear Goal scored by Mexico in the SAfrica Tourney and yet the Officials said offside in your full face?? Again a rubbish Host Nation is favoured above better teams.
I feel Sick to my stomach!!
Funny how many football fans didn't know the offside rule, hopefully this game stimulated them to check it out...
Mexico was better in first half but still played terrible.THe way SA played come on Urugvay or France will beat both of these teams very easily.Too shame for mexico and their Chicharito who did not show anything!SA had great spirit I have to admitt!
are we gonna hear these thrumpets through the whole turnament!?!?!?!?
vuvuzela is a noise pollution
Sorry Akunwumni Its like u r lost in the middle of a forest. Lest see what Nigeria will play then. If i were u i would keep my mouth shut for now.Phambili Bafana,all thanks to u Tshabalala.
Well done South Africa. This is the time for us to shine. I pray for all of our players to see the net.Well Done,Phambili Bafana,Phambili! Halaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa la.
proxymuxx dat was 1 of the best offsides calls ever made the rule says that der has to be 2 players between you and the ball to be onside nd dat includes the goalkeeper so when vela was behind the goalie he was offside so learn the rules before you start making such a shity argument :P BRAZIL to win the world cup
my gladiators of Spain are coming baby..........
Honest question... I thought offside was just having no players between you and the goal (except the keeper) and there was a man on the line... how is that offside?
big dirty rimjobbers
More effort african team, S, Africa try as them can but we pray that Nigeria will try more so that them can beat Argentina
sounds like a group of loud hornets invaded the stadium. well played SA.
Can Fifa banned those trumpets they are so annoying and makes no sense in football. Even SA could not have a crowd effect due to the noise from the trumpets
Noise. What noise I cant hear a thing. Reason being I had a huge bass drum behind be being constantly banged at a match in Spain once.
This game didn't really set the tournament on fire by any means. How Mphela failed to score from a couple of yards out towards the end of the game, I'll never know.
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Man of the match
Giovani Dos Santos - Mexico
Tottenham's Dos Santos was at the heart of all Mexico's best moves.
Group Tables
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