Mexico’s Marquez denies South Africa

JOHANNESBURG: Hosts South Africa almost got a dream start to their World Cup campaign last night before being held to a 1-1 draw by Mexico in the opening match after Barcelona midfielder Rafael Marquez struck with a late equaliser for the Mexicans.

South Africa had looked to be on course for a surprise win thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s superb 55th-minute strike but it was cancelled out by Marquez. The hosts, though, went agonisingly close to regaining the lead in the Group A clash and taking the three points right at the death when striker Katlego Mphela hit the post after outpacing two defenders. After a nervy opening half in front of 84,490 fans at Soccer City, South Africa finally found their rhythm to take the lead as Mexico failed to make their first-half domination count.

Relentless Mexico

‘Bafana Bafana’ (the boys) were lucky to go into the half-time break at 0-0 after Mexico dominated the opening 45 minutes, the controversial highlight of which was Carlos Vela’s 38th minute effort being ruled offside.

South Africa had a let off after just four minutes when Mexico captain Gerardo Torrado whipped in a cross which goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled into the path of Giovani Dos Santos, but his shot was blocked. Galatasaray’s Dos Santos was a constant threat in the opening stages as the Mexicans attacked relentlessly. Midfielder Efrain Juarez was shown the tournament’s first yellow card on 18 minutes, but South African play-maker Steven Pienaar sent the free-kick sailing over the crossbar.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was then shown a yellow card for the hosts after fouling Dos Santos on 27 minutes, but Marquez fired the free-kick high.

World Cup’s first goal

After the break, a perfectly-timed through ball from Pienaar split the Mexican defence and put Tshabalala into acres of space for the Kaizer Chiefs’ star to slam home his shot giving Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez no chance.

With 20 minutes left, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made some changes to push his side forward and they were rewarded with Marquez’s goal as he was left unmarked at the far post. A ball lofted over the top of the Bafana Bafana defence found the Barcleona star and he coolly slotted it past goal-keeper Itumeleng Khune.

Near misses

While the South Africans extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches, they will feel that it is three points gone begging after striker Katlego Mphela hit the post in the 90th minute. Mphela alone outpaced two defenders but his left footed shot from an angle came back off the near post. Additionally, Teko Modise could have made the game safe for the hosts in the 70th minute when the striker got the better of his marker but one on one with Perez he shot weakly allowing the Mexican goal-keeper to gather easily.

South Africa now face Uruguay in Pretoria on June 16 while Mexico take on France in Polokwane on June 17.

Coaches eye French scalp

South Africa’s coach Carlos Alberto Parreira praised his side for their battling display.

“Mexico are the most daring team in the World Cup and they threatened us early on, but I believe we were more balanced in the second half and could have won the game,” said the Brazilian. “Our spirit was high from the beginning, whatever happens I expect things will be decided by our last game against France.”

His opposite number Javier Aguirre admitted he was disappointed his side failed to make their first-half dominance count.  “I think we had a very good first half, but we weren’t capable of really putting away our chances,” said Aguirre, who is in his second spell as national coach having been in charge for the 2002 World Cup finals.

“Both teams are going away with a bitter, sweet taste and now we are forced to beat France in our next game,” added Aguirre, who played for Mexico at the 1986 finals when they hosted them and reached the last eight.

All praise - Aguirre

“The keeper played really well and kept them in the game in the first-half. Our team was confident, but we missed a few chances and things got complicated after they scored,” said a disappointed looking Javi Aguirre, who refused to talk about Vela’s offside ruling.

Unlucky - Vela

The Arsenal forward thought he had scored the World Cup 2011’s opening goal at the 38th minute mark. Vela profited from an error by South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune from a corner that eventually hopped off his right leg, only to be rightly flagged offside.

First booking - Juarez

Mexico’s Efrain Juarez became the first player at the 2010 World Cup to be booked when he was penalised for hand ball in the 18th minute of the opening game against South Africa at Soccer City. Steven Pienaar sent the ensuing free-kick over the crossbar.

First goal - Tshabalala

South Africa and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the World Cup in the 55th minute when he broke away down the left of the pitch, dodged two defenders and unleashed a piledriver past Mexico goal-keeper, Oscar Perez.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2010.