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The Roar

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A different view on the World Cup opener

Roar Pro
12th June, 2010
4

Local pub, 11.45pm Friday 11 June. Final stragglers arrive just in time for kick-off. The gathering reaches about 20, but there is something different this time; rugby league hard heads had emerged to see what all the fuss is about.

Despite the somewhat disappointing news coverage of the lead up to the World Cup, some learned oval ball fans had discovered what was to be an emotional 90 minutes, even if no one there was even remotely tied with South Africa or Mexico.

12.02am. A boring speech is holding up play. The rugby fans are becoming greater in numbers whilst our sprinkling of football diehards discuss how great it is that the stadium is packed.

It was quite a sight actually, so much colour, so much emotion, and a speech from South Africa’s leader which you could tell held the sentiments of every South African. This means a lot more to them then just a sporting event.

12.07am. Kick-off. Mexico right into it, South Africa looking a bit over awed. It took the hosts a good 45 minutes to get into the game. Luckily they weren’t punished by a Mexican attack that was struggling to penetrate a stubborn defense.

The Mexican’s were obviously confident; starting with a 4-3-3 and never looking back. Even more impressively is they held the ball very well with only three recognized midfield players. South Africa look done and dusted if even one shot sneaks past Khune but the little known goal keeper has a Mark Schwarzer-esque game to launch himself into the global spotlight.

Keep an eye on this keeper, he is going places after this World Cup. He kept his team in the game and earned them that point.

South Africa look nervous on the ball, everything seemed so rushed with an apparent unwillingness to hold the ball.

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12.30am. Restless footy fans start swearing as a goal has not been scored. Good to see some passion I guess.

Half-time. South Africa had come closer to losing than scoring and it started to seem as if Mexico were to have one of those nights where you just can’t find the net. Kevin Muscat causes the pub to twinge as we beg Basheer to stop asking him questions.

Second-half. It wasn’t until circa the 55th minute that South Africa looked in with a chance. Yes, they were still absorbing the pressure but were breaking well and playing the ball better than in the first half. Pienaar was the catalyst; lifting the team. The play looked much more solid when he was involved.

Suddenly momentum has shifted. Pienaar starts playing in his team mates to great effect. Modise, Mphela, Tshabala and Mokoena join in and suddenly a revitalised SA take it to the Mexicans.

A quick break, a few one two’s then a pin point 30 yard pass results in a great finish and a 1-0 lead to the hosts, and an upset is on the cards. Take a bow son, with a finish like that.

Suddenly a desperate Mexico need to go forward, but from where? You can’t attack much more than a 4-3-3. Bring on old heads and hope that South Africa lapse in defense? Well, that’s what happened. A seemingly harmless ball is just watched by South Africa and a simple finish from six yards ties up the match.

Our sprinkling of football fans sigh as we were backing South Africa for the upset. The footy fans cheer and jeer as another goal is scored. Our round ball game isn’t so boring after all?

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Time for one last gasp attack on the break for the South African’s? Yep, thanks to another great piece of distribution from Khune after a few amazing saves, he puts through a Mphela.

Bearing down on goals, keeper is barely an obstacle with his positioning, and an off balance Mphela puts the winner-to-be onto the post.

Back at our pub heads are in hands as South Africa squanders a vital three points and Mexico escapes with hopes of progressing still intact.

Two hours later and another draw is produced. Uruguay probably deserved the win. More interestingly though is that the touches of France and Uruguay were a level above South Africa and Mexico, so this pundit feels that the writing is on the wall for the hosts as I can’t see France and Uruguay losing to both Mexico and South Africa.

South Africa will have won one thing by the time the final whistle blows in South Africa; they are now everyone’s second team. Move over New Zealand, I’m backing SA over you now if Australia drop out.

Again, take a bow South Africa. You stood up and were noticed. I applaud you.

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