Monday, June 14, 2010

Game of the Day!: Day 1: South Africa vs. Mexico

Once again, sorry I haven't posted in a while, high school has kept me more than busy, but now I'm here, and the World Cup has started, so I'm happy. After watching the first game, it's safe to say that South Africa is playing much better than their rank would indicate they are. First of all, they played solid defense against an explosive Mexican team who have many strikers that can score at will. When Mexico scored, it wasn't so much a Mexican goal as it was a blown play by the Bafana Bafana defense, if the last defender would've held the line and pushed up, the three Mexican attackers would have been easily offside, and the South African's may have had a stunning 1-0 win over the 17th ranked Mexicans. Unfortunately for South Africa, that last defender did not push up, and Rafa Marquez had a wide open shot from 6 yards out that no international player should miss.

Also, the South African attack was running on all cylinders. Mexico dominated the play for most of the first half, however, the momentum began to swing around the 40' minute, when South Africa had a succession of corner kicks, and the Mexicans were rocking on their heels, although just minutes earlier, the Bafana Bafana had been in serious danger a few times. South Africa then proceeded to have the better of the play for basically the rest of the game. While Mexico kept trying to push the ball through the middle with failed through ball after through ball, South Africa was controlling Mexico's defense with sweet 1-2 passing and sneaky runs that cut through Mexico's defense. South Africa was rewarded when they broke Mexico's defense again, and the Mexican keeper could only stare in horror as the attacker's shot flew off the outside of the post and out of play. Incredibly, Mexico was lucky to have scrapped a point out of this great start for the tournament and the host nation, when almost everyone had the Mexicans as the overwhelming favorites to take 3 points from the match. Mexico may be in danger yet, and South Africa is looking to keep performing as they did in their opener, because if they do the will advance out of their group.