No more speculating. No more talk.
South Africa World Cup 2010 finally started with the host country South Africa scoring the cup’s first goal and achieving a draw against a very disappointed Mexico squad.
The controversial Adidas official ball Jabulani rolled to open the cup at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg as host country South Africa faced a young and spirited Mexico. The boys, as locals call them, seemed frozen with nerves as the game got underway. Mexico had several opportunities to score in the first half but failed to get the ball past South African goalie Khune. This was definitely a game that Mexico could have gathered 3 valuable points yet fell short of the most crucial feat in soccer which is scoring goals. South Africa barely tested a very indecisive Mexican goalkeeper in Conejo Perez and only clearly reached the opposing goal posts twice but was able to connect in a beautiful goal by Tshabalala on a counter attack and almost scored again with a ball that hit the post. Mexico did not despair and tied the game with a Rafa Marquez goal in the 79th minute. Although Mexico salvaged a point instead of a loss, this was probably their easiest match as they now face Uruguay and France in Group A.
The other match of Group A pitted to past world champions in Uruguay and France. What a snoozer! Both teams were extremely cautious and seemed content with a draw in arguably the most difficult game for both squads. The two draws in the group give everyone the same opportunity to advance.
Group A might ultimately be a futile attempt as winners from this group face Group B winners that will probably be Argentina and Nigeria. Good possibility that one or even two past world cup champs will suffer a very early exit from the tournament. So they might as well enjoy their time while it lasts.
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