South Africa 1-1 Mexico – Match Review

Siphiwe Tshabalala is likely to go down in South African sporting history. The man who scored the first goal on African soil in a World Cup finals. The South African team may be disappointed that they didn’t claim all 3 points in this game, but in reality it would have been an injustice if Mexico had come away tonight with nothing.

Once the carnival of the opening ceremony was over with, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the rest of the rainbow nation settled in to support their side, they wouldn’t be disappointed and the South Africans can be proud of their performance.

Mexico attacked from the off with Giovanni having a very close chance in the 2nd minute of the game, the mood and pace were set and while the South Africans would have a couple of chances, the Mexicans controlled the game and always seemed to be the most threatening. Their quick, crisp passes were able to pull the South African defence apart time and time again. They looked particularly threatening down the flanks.

Mexico were also the team to find the net first, although the goal was rightly ruled offside. Carlos Vela, the young Arsenal forward was the man who found the net for them in the 37th minutes. The selection of the Uzbek officials, led by referee Irmatov had been criticised before the game,  but his eagle eyed assistant was able to spot what would usually be described as suicidal goalkeeping by Khune and correctly adjudged Vela to be offside as he tapped the ball over the line.

They continued to dominate the game up to and beyond the interval  with Franco having several chances to open the scoring and failing miserably to do so at every turn.  I wrote, moments before the South African goal “South Africa are chasing shadows here” and indeed they were.

Mexico were comfortably in control until Giovanni was uncharacteristically unable to control a pass. The ball ran away from him to South African feet and from there an attack was launched which resulted in Tshabalala rocketing the Jabulani across goal and into the top corner. It was a fantastic strike that was befitting of the occasion if not of South Africa’s play up until that point.

Mexico looked shell-shocked and the South Africans certainly came into the game more from the goal, but the quality was clearly with the Latin American side and it was only a matter of time before they were back level. Star player, the Barcelona defender Marquez popped up at the back post and showed composure to control the ball before rifling it into the empty net. It was a very good goal, but questions definitely should be asked of the South African defence if they are to progress any further in this competition.

Although the hosts came close to scoring in injury time when Mphela hit the outside of the woodwork, it will be the Mexicans who will rue their poor form in front of goal overnight. Giovanni was a joy to watch and for me personally, was the man of the match, although I can understand the sentiment behind awarding it to Tshabalala. Franco, on the other hand surely needs to  do more in future games to retain his place, particularly with the young and hungry Manchester United bound Javier Hernández waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

With one game down, the Mexicans will probably view this as 2 points dropped, although that could be a mistake when you take into account that often a host nation will often raise their game and we have yet to see a World Cup where a host nation have lost an opening game. So maybe a draw isn’t so bad given the circumstances.

They will certainly be buoyed by the performance of France & Uruguay in the other game and if they can find their feet in front of goals, certainly look like a side who can finish top of their group when you look at a Uruguay side that rely heavily on Forlan and a France side that are managed by an apparently loopy Domenech. El Tri may have come up short against Bafana Bafana but there is definitely enough evidence from both of today’s games to suggest that they can go on to bigger and better things at this World Cup.

Mexico, Siphiwe Tshabalala, South Africa, World Cup 2010