Kick Off!!!

The world cup opener between South Africa and Mexico was supposed to be a cracker of a contest between two outsiders who were hoping to get through to the round of 16. But what started as a energetic encounter soon panned out to be a damp contest with mexico missing too many chances to take the lead and the Bafana Bafana struggling to mark franco and offering too much space for the mexicans to push forward.

The mexicans would have been ahead within 2 mins of start but for Aaron Mokoena. The souh african captain got his body across to stop the goal bound shot from Giovani Dos Santos. A few minutes later, Steven pienar wasted one of the best chances by sending a 25 yard free kick well over the mexican bar. Dos santos was not very happy with the way things were going and starting getting involved more into the game. The galatasaray forward was at the heart of every good mexican move and was a constant threat at the goal with his long range shots and mazy runs. The midfield was now being entirely dictated by the latin americans who were looking the more likelier side to break the deadlock.

The game took a turn in the 22nd minute when Oscar Perez(the mexican keeper), was all nerves when he fumbled to collect a simple cross from pienaar. Fortunately for him, there was no mexican around to capitalize on his error. But that started a period of constant nerves that didnt seem to settle down at all for the mexican stopper. He was fumbling and mumbling all through the half and looked very uncomfortable at the goal.

His south african counterpart, Itumeleng Khune was having problems of his own with a brilliant Vela and a bustling Dos santos kept him every bit busy. He wasnt helped too much by his wayward defence either as they continued to leaving gaping holes to let the mexicans run riots. The mexicans would have gone up but for a correct offside against Vela as Khune went flapping at a corner and the mexican tapped in into an empty goal.

The south africans recovered a bit to attack back in the final minutes of the first half but found it missing at the final third of the pitch.

They continued from where they left off at the first half and a brilliant true ball from Teko modise found the onrushing kshabalala at the edge of the mexican box and he unleashed an unstoppable cross box shot that perez could do nothing about! The home crowd erupted in joy and the bafana bafana were ahead thanks to the gaping holes the mexicans had left back in their zeal to push numbers forward.

Javier Aguirre responded by throwing on Andres Guardado for Aguilar. It was Dos Santos, though, who continued to torment the home defence and he again drew a fine save from Khune with a strike from the right that was turned away for a corner. The home side though had more confidence now, thanks to the goal and Modise should have done better when he Mphela's shot was deflected into his path six yards out - but he inexplicably turned effort wide.

The mexicans started to push forward with purpose with blanco replacing vela and hernandez taking over from franco. It was Guardado's cross from the left that left the home defence gaping and Marquez took a touch before firing in.

Oscar Perez was still not done having his horror time at the goal. At the dying minutes, as Mphela outpaced rodriguez, perez was in two minds and finally decided to come out. By that time, mphela had placed a shot at the bottom corner only to see the post playing the last man and deny him to see a promising contest on paper coming to a damp end!

Sneak Peek

A short peek at a few teams that have made it to the Fifa World Cup 2010...

South Africa - The hosts... African teams are known for their physical approach and the Bafana Bafana are no different... They will try and close the opposition down and will fight hard for the ball... Might make it through to the Round of 16 as Group A runners... Argentina will run them through...

Italy - Easy Passage... In my opinion are not a force that they used to be... they are defensively very good(nothing new about it) but offensively, they will be found wanting!!! Midfield is not so strong as it used to be(old legs) and too much of reliance is on experience and defence. Will make it to the quarters... I wouldn't bet on em beyond that...

Germany - Der krieg Maschine!!! Brutally efficient in grinding out results when it matters... Will reach the quarters for sure(Germany/Mexico being their most probable opponent)... But keeping is their spot of concern and it might prove to be their undoing!!!

France - Au revoir... Id prefer not to speak about them... None of the areas are all that strong... Weaknesses everywhere... heavily dependent on ribery and henry... Will get through to the Round of 16... Greece will be awaiting them.. that could be their stumbling block...

Portugal - Done in by Fate... A good team, decent coach and with a fair bit of luck could have found themselves in the quarters if not for the Group!!! They will be the valiant losers in the group of death and will find themselves falling for the Samba Magic and Ivorian Strength!!! A long walk back for the best footballer on the planet!!!

Ivory Coast - Tough Group!!! If they do make it outta that, they would mostly run into spain... They got a real tough team there, but still might not reach the quarters...

Netherlands - Orange Blitzkrieg!!! One of the most talented and fast teams around, they will have an excellent campaign(till the quarters)... Will breeze past their opponents till they encounter brazil in the quarters... And thats where they'd most likely fall...

Argentina - Talent Aplenty!!! They have the flair and the guts to go all the way, but sadly lack the coach who could take em there!!! :( A brilliant squad with excellent players could be scuppered by an inept coach... Maradona was an extrodinary player, but makes a sad coach... Quarters would be easy... They would'nt make it beyond the semis though!!!

England - Blooper Boys!!! Might try hard... Quarters is what they are accustomed to... Semis are my best bet... they might make it to the semis (Ghana is 16 and France/Greece in the quarters)... That's brazil waiting for them there... Deja vu!!! Third Place could still be theirs(Germany/Argentina most probable opponents)

Brazil - Jogo Bonito!!! Hope for some Samba magic!!! They are most definitely the team to watch out for apart from spain. Brazilian players are extremely technically gifted and have that uncanny ability to provide the moment of magic that turns the match on its head!!!

Spain - Viva Espana!!! The team to watch with so many players in the form of their lives!!! A look at their bench and you know why they are the best... If Fabregas, Jesus Nevas and David Silva warm the bench alongwith Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina(Marcos senna and Negredo didnt even make the squad), you got to know the quality of the first 11.

Brazil Vs Spain Final!!! Bring it on!!!