Hosts South Africa were held to a 1-1 draw by Mexico in an exciting opener to the 2010 World Cup.
Both teams had ample opportunities to score more at Soccer City in Johannesburg. South Africa will feel particularly hard done by, however, after taking the lead and then squandering chances to win it at the death.
It will be remembered for the effort from Katlego Mphela, whose 89th minute shot agonisingly hit the post, dashing hopes of a famous win for South Africa.
Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the Bafana Bafana the lead with a thunderous shot across goal into the top right hand corner on 54 minutes after a great defence-splitting pass from Teko Modise.
Mexico responded after some poor defending from the hosts with a Rafa Márquez equaliser on 78 minutes. He was one of three Mexicans being marked by one defender and he had plenty of time to slot the ball past the exposed goalkeeper.
Javier Aguirre’s men had started the game with greater intent and were very nearly rewarded after just two minutes – goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled the ball to the feet of Giovani dos Santos just eight yards out but Mokoena saved South African blushes by blocking the resulting shot out for a corner.
It took a while for the Bafana Bafana to get into the match, with nerves perhaps playing their part, but when they did the crowd responded in kind, the noise of the vuvuzelas adding to the Mexican’s problems in defence.
The hosts got their reward with the first goal of the World Cup on 54 minutes. Tshabalala’s stunning shot across the face of goal prompted wild celebrations from the fans, and a synchronised dance from the players.
Mexico nearly levelled matters on 59 minutes with a fierce strike from dos Santos, but Khune made an acrobatic stop, this time at full stretch as he flew across the face of goal to prevent the ball going in the top right corner.
The Bafana Bafana had a great chance to double their lead when Mphela’s shot took a deflection to Modise who missed from point blank range, although he was ruled offside in any case.
Wayward passing continued as both sides maintained a high-tempo game. South Africa, buoyed by their goal, pressed and harried at every opportunity, and Mexico were seeing fewer chances come their way.
Carlos Alberto Vela was taken off for Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco made way for Manchester United new signing Javier Hernández, as coach Javier Aguirre threw the dice for Mexico.
The changes paid off with a Mexico goal after 78 minutes. Rafa Marquez found himself unmarked at the far post after a poorly defended Guardado cross – one defender was marking three Mexicans – and the Barcelona centre-back had all the time he needed to slot the ball home from close range.
Both sides frantically went for the win and the all-important three points. After numerous chances at either end, Mphela thought he had scored the winner for South Africa after a long ball forward for the hosts but the woodwork came to Mexico’s rescue.
Group A is already shaping up to be a tight affair.
Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the Bafana Bafana the lead with a thunderous shot across goal into the top right hand corner on 54 minutes after a great defence-splitting pass from Teko Modise.
Mexico responded after some poor defending from the hosts with a Rafa Márquez equaliser on 78 minutes. He was one of three Mexicans being marked by one defender and he had plenty of time to slot the ball past the exposed goalkeeper.
Javier Aguirre’s men had started the game with greater intent and were very nearly rewarded after just two minutes – goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled the ball to the feet of Giovani dos Santos just eight yards out but Mokoena saved South African blushes by blocking the resulting shot out for a corner.
It took a while for the Bafana Bafana to get into the match, with nerves perhaps playing their part, but when they did the crowd responded in kind, the noise of the vuvuzelas adding to the Mexican’s problems in defence.
The hosts got their reward with the first goal of the World Cup on 54 minutes. Tshabalala’s stunning shot across the face of goal prompted wild celebrations from the fans, and a synchronised dance from the players.
Mexico nearly levelled matters on 59 minutes with a fierce strike from dos Santos, but Khune made an acrobatic stop, this time at full stretch as he flew across the face of goal to prevent the ball going in the top right corner.
The Bafana Bafana had a great chance to double their lead when Mphela’s shot took a deflection to Modise who missed from point blank range, although he was ruled offside in any case.
Wayward passing continued as both sides maintained a high-tempo game. South Africa, buoyed by their goal, pressed and harried at every opportunity, and Mexico were seeing fewer chances come their way.
Carlos Alberto Vela was taken off for Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco made way for Manchester United new signing Javier Hernández, as coach Javier Aguirre threw the dice for Mexico.
The changes paid off with a Mexico goal after 78 minutes. Rafa Marquez found himself unmarked at the far post after a poorly defended Guardado cross – one defender was marking three Mexicans – and the Barcelona centre-back had all the time he needed to slot the ball home from close range.
Both sides frantically went for the win and the all-important three points. After numerous chances at either end, Mphela thought he had scored the winner for South Africa after a long ball forward for the hosts but the woodwork came to Mexico’s rescue.
Group A is already shaping up to be a tight affair.
