SOUTH AFRICA?S 2-1 WIN OVER FRANCE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS BOTH NATIONS BOW OUT; URUGUAY BEATS MEXICO 1-0 AND BOTH QUALIFY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Despite a heartwarming performance and a 2-1 victory over 1998 champions France, South Africa failed to qualify for the round of 16 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to become the first host nation to fail while the French continued their miserable showing and also packed their bags to return home to scathing attacks and intrigues that wrecked the squad?s morale.
As a result Uruguay who beat Mexico 1-0 in a fine game of football qualified for the next stage, in the process dragging the Mexicans along with them.
The South Africans scored only their second FIFA World Cup win but it wasn?t good enough although they can take some solace from the win and the fact that South Africa have done a magnificent job in hosting the biggest sporting event in the world.
As the FIFA match report noted the African side's story was ultimately one of disappointment as they exited their own tournament on goal difference, with Mexico taking the second qualifying place in Group A behind Uruguay. For France there was further ignominy as a second defeat in three games provided a fitting epitaph to the sense of disharmony which had infected Raymond Domenech's squad virtually since the opening game.
The beleaguered coach, who now leaves his post, made six changes to the team that had gone down to Mexico in their previous game ? with captain Patrice Evra one of those dropped. However, initially France promised to lift the gloom for their followers with some attacking thrusts. One should have seen Andre-Pierre Gignac fire them into an early lead but he could only direct his attempt straight at Moneeb Josephs who was deputising in the South African goal for the suspended Itumeleng Khune. Djibril Cisse then flicked on Abou Diaby's floated pass but again the goalkeeper was behind it all the way.
Bafana Bafana were not short of voluble support and the stadium erupted with joy in the 20th minute when they took the lead. It followed a right-sided corner which precipitated a mistake by Hugo Lloris who was unable to put a glove on the ball, allowing Bongani Khumalo to profit from his towering leap at the far post and a downward header gave the host nation the lead.
Their hopes raised, South Africa kept pouring forward in search of further goals which would be crucial if it came down to goal difference. At the other end of the field came a decision that would help their cause as Yoann Gourcuff dueled for an aerial ball with MacBeth Sibaya and was shown the red card as the home midfielder lay on the ground requiring treatment.
Parreira's side sensed their chance as 12 minutes later Katlego Mphela bundled the ball in at the far post after Tsepo Masilela's ball across had caught the French defense in confusion. News that Uruguay had taken the lead against Mexico only added to the sense of euphoria around the stadium and not even a chance for France, which William Gallas failed to seize as a free-kick found him unmarked in the area, could dampen it down.
Mphela drew a fingertip save from Lloris and it was he who led the charge for second-half goals, striking the crossbar, demanding another fine stop from the keeper, and then burrowing his way through only to find the side-netting. In the final reckoning those misses were to prove crucial.
In the 70th minute France took a lot of sting out of South Africa's attacks as Florent Malouda, who had just appeared off the substitute's bench, was on hand to roll the ball home after Franck Ribery had unselfishly squared the ball into his path.
Uruguay and Mexico who were joint leaders in their group went into their final match knowing that a draw would be enough for both of them to reach the knockout phase. However, if they wanted to avoid facing the deadly Argentine squad in the last 16 the Mexicans had to win.
The FIFA match report noted that both coaches opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with the only one notable change being veteran Mexico forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco starting for the first time in place of the injured Carlos Vela.
The stadium was filled with a large contingent of El Tri supporters hours before the kick-off, and the Mexicans soon began to find their rhythm with the the waves of 'ole' coming from the stands. However, it was the Uruguayans who had the first attack of note. Luis Suarez missed a glorious chance to put his side ahead on five minutes, when the Ajax marksman sent his shot just wide of the left post after collecting a loose ball from a defensive mistake from Hector Moreno.
Mexico fought back midway through the first half, with Andres Guardado hitting the crossbar with an audacious left-foot drive from 30 yards. Guardado and Giovani dos Santos then managed to find space on the left, but were unable to create clear-cut chances to break down one of the meanest defenses in the competition. With half-time approaching, Carlos Salcido tried his luck from distance but the ball sailed well over the bar.
Just as the first half seemed to be ending goalless, La Celeste seized their opportunity on 43 minutes. Edinson Cavani broke down the right channel to send a looping cross to the far post, where Suarez headed home from close range to make it 1-0.
With South Africa leading France 2-0 at the interval in Bloemfontein, Mexico could not afford to concede more goals. But the Uruguayans surged forward right after the break, with Diego Lugano?s point-blank header off a Diego Forlan free-kick forcing a brilliant save from Oscar Perez. At the opposite end, substitute Pablo Barrera sent an inviting cross from the right, only for Francisco Rodriguez to send a glancing header just wide of Fernando Muslera?s goal.
Although Mexico put the pressure on by bringing Javier Hernandez on for Blanco after the hour mark, Uruguay's defence looked even more impenetrable as time wore on. And despite enjoying more possession of the ball, Mexico failed to find a way through as Uruguay completed a hat-trick of clean sheets for the first time in their FIFA World Cup? history.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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