Group A Recap: Day One Brings Two Draws

Mexico, South Africa Tie;
France, Uruguay Finish 0-0

By WADE MURRAY
One Great Season

What an amazing scene it was in Johannesburg Friday -- a sea of green, yellow and red -- as the home fans -- and their continuous call of horns -- watched the host nation open the Cup at Soccer City Stadium with a 1-1 draw with CONCACAF member Mexico in Group A play.

South Africa will happily take the draw, as they were the heavy underdogs and very lucky to get a result like this with the way they played in the first half.

Missed opportunities by both teams prevented either side from walking away with 3 points. Mexico missed chance upon chance in the first half, most notably when, off a corner kick, unmarked forward Carlos Vela knocked the ball in. Vela was unmarked, however, because he was offsides, and the goal was disallowed.

Many observers spent the better part of Friday discussing and debating the call, but it was the correct one. Either way, Mexico squandered more chances than you can shake a stick at and should feel somewhat ashamed by their lack of ability to score on the world's biggest stage.

South Africa missed great opportunities as well toward the end of the game, including a breakaway shot by Katlego Mphela in the 89th minute that hit the post. Though tragic that he missed his heroic chance, it can easily be chalked up to the fact that RSA is a team not used to the big stage and one with just a single player who possesses world-class capabilities. In case you don't know who that is, just think "Get your hands of my Steven Pienaar."

The game was entertaining, flashy and a great way to kick-off the tournament. I was impressed by both teams at times but more often dissapointed by Mexico's showing. This is a very good and extremely fast Mexican side that seemed utterly beatable Friday. For South Africa, I think everyone has seen that they can be flashy and play with great skill.

This was a good draw for South Africa, who now goes on to play Uruguay on Wednesday, a game that will be very winnable for Bafana Bafana. It won't be easy, obviously, as Uruguay can punish you very quickly and though it's fanciful to think South Africa could get out of Group A, I still have my doubts.

Mexico goes on to play France, which is going to be the big matchup of Group A. Not big because they are the two best teams in the group, big because they are the two teams who I think will actually be the biggest dissapointments in the group.

Mexico needs to start shooting the ball and get themselves into gear or they won't get out of the group. South Africa now has hope; another draw and they are sitting pretty. Of the four teams we saw play Friday, South Africa showed the most promise and the most speed, and probably gave the most impressive overall team perfomance. This group is wide open, so if RSA wants it, it's theirs to take.

France 0, Uruguay 0

There isn't really much to say about this match except one thing -- Uruguay actually played some defense. If you read my tournament preview, you know that I very harshly questioned Uruguay's ability to defend. In this game, they pretty much abandoned their all-out attack mentality and packed it in against a French side that can attack quite well when they are on their game.

France appeared within scoring distance several times Friday, but like the classic first-round Frenchmen they are, they often found themselves running into a player with a light blue jersey. The theme repeated itself throughout the match -- Uruguay played solid defense, and France was unable to show any teeth on offense.

The only exciting moment of the match happened in stoppage time after the second half, on the last free kick for France. Thierry Henry, known for his fraudulent goal that saved France's World Cup bid, missed on his shot in the final seconds. Not only did the famous Frenchman fail to deliver a legitimate game-winner, but his errant effort kept France from gaining three points.

I'm staying with my prediction that France will not only not win the group, but Les Bleus won't even get out of it. Uruguay actually has a defense, but when they choose to play it they simply cannot attack. Both teams had better get themselves in order or they will find themselves watching Mexico and RSA move on to the knock-out stage.

Click here for Wade's bio and an archive of his previous stories.

Comments

[nfljerseyonline]

world cup jerseys on sale,we sale all kinds of sports jerseys online,women's handbags on sale,buy cheapest designer handbags,and the nike shoes we sale just at wholesale price,we are profession offer nike shoes,all of the product we sale at low price,and we offer free shipping and 7 days to u door,the more you order the big discount you will enjoy

[Nike Shox NZ]

Your article is a unique opinion, believe that many more people will see you article. Of course you pictures is very good-looking!
Nike Soccer Shoes
Adidas Soccer Shoes
Nike Total90 Shoot II
Nike Total90 Shoot III
Adidas F30i TRX FG
Adidas F50 XTRX SG
Adidas F50 adizero TRX FG