By AVI CREDITOR
After the first round of games for the World Cup's Group A, not a whole lot has been cleared up.
South Africa yielded a late goal to Mexico in their tournament-opening, 1-1 draw, and Uruguay and France played a forgettable 90 minutes in their scoreless tie, meaning that all four teams have earned a point with two games remaining in group play.
The host country looked ready to post a shocking result after Siphiwe Tshabalala confidently finished a left-footed shot and gave the Bafana Bafana a 1-0 lead over favored Mexico in the 55th minute.
After controlling most of the run of play, El Tri didn't crumble, persevering to find a 79th-minute equalizer through captain Rafael Marquez to emerge from a vuvuzela-laden Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg with a draw.
Mexico thought it had gone ahead in the 37th minute, when Carlos Vela finished a flicked-on corner at the goal mouth. However, South African keeper Itumeleng Khune had come way off his line to defend the set piece, thus making Vela offside.
Khune came up big in the 60th minute, robbing Giovanni Dos Santos on a shot aimed for the upper right-hand corner of the net.
Katlego Mphela almost gave the hosts a dream winner just minutes from full time, but his shot on a breakaway attempt caromed off the left post. Nevertheless, South Africa avoided becoming the first host nation to lose the opening match of the tournament.
Here are highlights from the match:
URUGUAY 0, FRANCE 0
Raymond Domenech's Team Turmoil failed to take advantage of a sizable possession disparity, as 10-man Uruguay held strong to earn the point at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium.
Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda, both substitutes, entered in the game's final 20 minutes but didn't have enough time to break down Uruguay's organized back line.
France went up a man when Uruguay's 63rd-minute substitute Nicolas Lodeiro picked up his second yellow in the 81st minute. Despite the advantage, Henry & Co. couldn't find a winner. Henry's best chance came in front of the goal in the 88th minute, when his shot was blocked by a Uruguay defender. The French appealed for a handball, but the referee (and karma gods) made the correct ruling of no penalty.
Prolific Uruguay striker Diego Forlan had two of the game's best chances. He was denied by France keeper Hugo Lloris on an 18-yard shot in the first half, and he misfired from inside the box on a golden chance off a throw-in in the 73rd minute.
Here are highlights from the match:
Uruguay resumes group play against South Africa on Wednesday, and France and Mexico will meet on Thursday to wrap up a crucial second set of group games.
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What did you think of Friday's games? Surprised that Mexico couldn't defeat South Africa? Like South Africa's goal celebration? Disappointed by France's showing? Impressed by Uruguay's defense? Who do you think will emerge from the group?
Share your thoughts below.
Yea, it had to be a combination of Mexico’s overcommitment, SA’s speed and gameplan. But it took the skill of Khune (found his name) to make those passes. Maybe Perreira found something with Mexico they could easily take advantage of.
Let us not forget that SA is coached by a Brazilian
Exactly, or you can cite Greece or the USA. Many examples.
Possession doesn’t mean too much when you don’t effectively use your possession to create goals. Mexico showed again that possession doesn’t really win you games except for on a stat sheet. Plus the whole idea of a straight possession comparison doesn’t mean much, its where your possession and successful passes occur. Unfortunately ESPN will most likely not break down the games this way.
And yet you still didn’t see anything that makes you think South Africa is going home? I guess not given you make a comparison for Uru having played defensively against a much better France. You probably think the US will beat England and get to the second round huh? Clueless.
Yeah, Koure? had a great game. Even his mistakes nullified goals. His service was particularly ridiculous. SA had at least three legitimate second half chances for a goal solely based on their keeper yanking it out to a lone striker in Mexico’s final third. I’m still trying to decide if those opportunities were about novelty/audacity, piss poor Mexico defending and offensive overcommitment, or tactics and precision linking. I think that it’s some combination of the first two, because that play shouldn’t happen three times within a span of twenty five minutes at this level. A lot of speed on South Africa, and good first touches from their forwards. With a little luck and some poor finishing on the part of their opponents, I think their counterattack could see them through the group.
The next two Uruguay matches have 1-0 or 0-0 written all over them. Uruguay played an ultra-conservative style, but IF they can avoid stupid red cards, they showed they can remain fairly disciplined with their back 5. Actually, for most of the game, they had 7 players whose only responsibility was to defend.
and what happened when Inter played Barcelona?
They won with 30% of possession.
I think it’s finally sinking in that the World Cup has started.
He already had a yellow; I didn’t see what it was for, but the graphic about it came up on the screen probably about 3-5 minutes after he subbed in.
Mexico vs Uruguay could be a donnybrook with quite a few cards. The loser could be going home, if there is a loser.
Same for USA, Slovenia game will determine their fate.
“… I really don’t see why everyone goes crazy about possession. Have we learned anything from Inter Milan this season … ”
Your one game example for Inter is way too selective.
Let’s look at why someone may go crazy at possession.
Barcelona W-31 T-6 L-1
That’s one loss, I learned.
So, did the ref mean to give that Uruguay player a straight red or did he already have a yellow?
Right! All of the French side looks like they are sleepwalking. No passion or creativity. You nailed Uruguay’s problem–they’re still looking for that great pass out of the mid to the forwards who are more than capable.
SA played 8 defenders…sure. Did you see how many men Uruguay had back? Quite a few. Mexico is a heap of dog poo outside of the Azteca and France is going home at the bottom of the group.
Did YOU see the games?
Yea, Ribery didn’t play great but he was getting doubled up and forced it too much.
I just want to desmond tutu dancing replayed over and over again
Yea, SA was the better team and Tshabalala was the man of the match. I really don’t see why everyone goes crazy about possession. Have we learned anything from Inter Milan this season or Italy in 2006.
I do have to say the Refs were really good. They called an amazing game and there was a very close penalty, it was a 50/50 (or 60/40) play but I do think the Mexican player committed a foul, anywhere else on the field that is more than likely a foul. He really didn’t play the ball at all. As for the rest of game and players, Pienaar played a good game controlling his teammates position and the SA goalie was really good, he was so good on his passing kicks and made some big saves! SA’s defense was good but alittle shaky on set peices and that is where their big mistake came. Dos Santos was really good for Mexico and I think Marquez did good pushing mexico forward. Franco missed a chance or two. Vela seemed nonexistent.
I think it will be interesting to see if South Africa come out with more confidence next match, they certainly showed they have the ability to make the next round.
I have a feeling that France, even though they seem to be all messed up right now, beat Mexico.
We must have watched two different games. The crew analyzing the game sure seemed to think South Africa were lucky not to lose too.
Unless France fire Domenech now, they won’t get out of the group.
Let’s analyze it
-Ok, leave Anleka up on his own with no support. He sucks, and sub on Henry. He might be able to get some support…oh wait, he’s taking off Anelka to put Henry up on his own to suck. Malouda is coming on, good, Govou has been trash on the wing. Oh wait, Domenech has subbed him in for Gourcuff in CM. Gignac did better in 10 minutes he had than Govou’s whole game. Diaby was class, Evra tried to make runs, but Ribery was being double and triple teamed each time. Govou didn’t need anyone to mark him. Gourcuff had something against the stewards (although Diaby actually hit one with his shot). I really want them to progress though, in second(under SA-it’s possible, esp if Uruguay keep playing defensively) so that Argentina, I mean Messi, can roll in 2 hat tricks.
I agree with most everything you said, but for me Diego Forlan was best player on the pitch today in either game. His movement off the ball and first touch were amazing!
I’d back Messi for a couple. Should be good as no one is really willing to wake up that early to see Greece. The high scoring teams are all in the latter groups (Ned, Brazil,Spain,Group F against NZ). Hopefully fringe fans don’t get bored by then either. The other groups seem like tight calls.
Miss me yet coach?
Ribery was a disappointment, but give Uruguay credit for some very tough D. I liked Diaby in middle. Malouda needs to play more.
Uruguay/France was one of those rare matches between 2 former winners of the competition (in all of 2006 there were only 4 such matches), albeit a less glamorous example of that than usual… Let’s hope that the rest of these types of matches, assuming we see a few in the later rounds, are a bit more exciting.
I was stunned that neither of the announcers seemed to understand the offside rule.
Both Uruguay and France are better than South Africa. If things continue to play out the same way, the two teams to advance this group will be France and Uruguay.
I guess i must have been watching completely different games, Mexico did not look good and they tied with whats considered the weakest team in the group. Uruguay and France was a snoozefest yes, but Uruguay defended really well, they just lack a creative mid and France well nothing to say about France its disappointing, Mexico could pass but they aren’t playing well.
I agree about the officiating.
What a shame for South Africa. However, I think they will improve overall on today’s performance.
As for France, clearly no one told these players what exactly their roles are, much less drilled them on the field. What a rampant display of lethargy, crowding, and stupidity.
did you see the matches? South Africa plays 8 defenders in the box. They’ve shown their cards and Uru and France will adjust and waste them. Mexico is technically better and we should see that next game.
France just looked pretty disinterested in actually being there … See Anelka very slowly walking off the field with the score tied late in the second half. I saw zero spirit from the French team. Uruguay at least looked like they cared. Hopefully Mexico and SA to second round from this group.
I thought S. Africa deserved to win. They were getting dominated in the first half, but they sure did have the better scoring chances in the second half. Too bad that ball went off the post.
I thought before the matches started that South Africa and Uruguay would advance from the group. I’ve seen nothing to change my mind.
My thoughts exactly.
MOTM in both matches were the refs.
Unbelievable officiating.
France was composed in the back, as they tend to be, and one or two chances aside, Uruguay never really threatened.
However, France’s attack was utterly toothless. You could tell from watching that their players are technically better, have a better first touch, and are faster, but there was far too much confusion once France moved into the attacking third of the field. Their spacing was awful, with players unsure of where to go. Nobody really created good penetration, and most of the shots came from well outside the 18-yard box. Sometimes a player would get down the flank and cross into the box, but no white jerseys were there to head on goal. France is just a badly, badly coached team.
SA were not lucky, they deserved to win. Mexico, as expected, had more possession, but SA had the better chances, in addition to being unfairly denied a penalty.
I was so sure the opening match was going to be marred by Mexican players getting chippy after they went down 1-0. But surprise! Aguirre after the match: “The bad historical part about our football is the lack of personality and character. I didn’t see (that missing) today on the pitch.”
As a US fan it makes it easier to support them as a Concacaf team.
Mexico looked good, I really don’t see them losing to Uruguay or France. Win one tie one I’m guessing. So 5 points puts them through.
Who else makes it, well who knows.
Great officiating today, no PKs and as many flops penalized as rewarded. They let people play without letting things get out of hand, particularly in the very chippy second half of the France v Uruguay match. No PKs and as many flops penalized as rewarded. I like France and either Mexico or SA out of the group.
Today’s matches were a let down, I was very disappointed. The matches were so boring and did not have a lot of fight in them.I HOPE tomorrow will be better.
I think we saw South Africa, Uruguay and France at the level that they can play. We’ve seen Mexico play better. South Africa will probably lose to both France and Uruguay. If Mexico play at its potential they should win the group.
while i agree that France’s formation is a problem, and there’s a clear disconnect among the attackers, I actually thought Mr. Diaby offered quite a bit going forward. At the very least, he was judicious in possession.
Mexico should start Guardado for Juarez, and Javier Hernandez for Franco. Instead of subbing Blanco late in the game, bring in Medina.
Urugay’s tackling is a HUGE liability. With every defender flying cleats first to make a tackle i can see them going down a man or 2 in every game.
i think France’s problem is when they play two holding midfielders behind Gourcuff. a 4-2-3-1 is at its best with a duo of destroyer and distributor in front of the back four. credit should go to uruguay for excellent team defending (team USA should look at that for how to defend tmrw) but this was the same France team with no invention during qualifying
After such a great opener, what a snoozefest for the second game.
France looked far worse than S.A. I thought. They won’t beat S. Africa unless Ribery makes way for Malouda, Gourcuff for Nasri, and Benzema for Anelka. Oh, wait.
You have to be encouraged if you are Uruguay. Though South Africa and Mexico look the more positive of the group, they both have serious defensive liabilities. Uruguay looked organized and disciplined, and I think they can score against their remaining two opponents. France does not look likely to implode; they just look like they are going to fade away.
It’s gonna be interesting to see how Uruguay attacks S. Africa, figuring they will use same gameplan they did today vs a Mexico team that will dominate possesion.
Yes, and it was nice to see that they didn’t resort to thug tactics which always seems to mar their appearance in the World Cup.
I was a little surprised at South Africa’s performance. I picked them to advance, mainly because of the huge home team advantage, but they were really lucky today. They didn’t seem to get much of a boost from the home crowd. In fact, from the way the game started you would think Mexico was the home team. Even with France playing poorly they will probably win comfortably over South Africa.
Uruguay played some fabulous defense