Match 1|South Africa vs. Mexico|11-06-10|Post-Match Thread [R]

As someone who pulls for all the CONCACAF teams, and who is also rooting for RSA to do well, I loved the result.

RSA were nervous early and lucky not to be down 1 or 2 at half (Franco should have done better and some early scares). RSA settled down and got the first goal, which lead Mexico to press up more, and RSA almost got a second. Still, Mexico stayed in the game, got some possession, and RSA mad a mistake on an offside trap, and gave up the goal. RSA almost won it at the death.

Same story for Mexico, good possession, but didn't capitalize on them, nor create really good ones in abundance. And were vulnerable on the counter. Still, I think people underestimate how hard it is going to beat RSA at home. Put in Hernandez for Franco and start Guardado (for Vela) and maybe change the keeper, and they are fine. If Mexico had scored first, it would have been lights out.

Plus, nothing Uruguay or France did should scare anyone. Mexico tends to play better against teams that come out and play, every WC since 1986 should tell people that. France won't try to play counter, and Uruguay won't either to the same degree they did today. Mexico has a pretty good record (7-3 or some such?) against Uruguay.

From RSA's perspective, I'm sure they'd have taken a draw if offered before, but are probably disappointed to have lost the lead, and hit the post late. Still, a mistake like that from the captain isn't likely to be repeated. Playing Parker in the hole and Pienaar wide could give them more attacking options, should they choose to do so.

RSA have their best chance for 3 against Uruguay, of course, if they lose to Mexico in the 2nd game, France could completely unravel by the 3rd game against RSA.

Still, with everyone on one point, we know everyone will still have a chance on the last day, and that is cool for the tournament.

One last thing, I was simply stunned that the great Martin Tyler and his partner were so utterly clueless about the offside rule. And hardly didn't even mention the possibility of a penalty shout for RSA on the play in the box.

I wouldn't be surprised at two more draws in round 2.

How so?

We only need a tie and to beat Uruguay, on recent history Mexico has been able to beat Uruguay consistently, granted they didn't had Luis Suarez but they had a better midfield that gave them chances.

Guille, Aguilar, Conejo and Cuau should not touch the pitch again, it's time to start playing with your head instead of with your heart.

Lets be honest the tie was actually more fortunate for Mexico

Mexico dominated the first half while SA dominated the second

Mexico's domination of the first was more due to SA being nervous than Mexico being superior.

S Africa had the better chances, while Mexico only had half chances and nothing clear that they didn't score, while SA missed 2 really good chances to score, 1 which could have been a penalty.

I don't know about the domination of SA in the second half. They had periods in the game that they looked better (end of first half, beginning second half) and pressed Mexico but I don't think it was for a total of a half game. Mexico dominated a lot in the second half going for the 1-1 and even the 1-2.

I do agree that SA had the most dangerous chances. One at the right side of the goal, one at the left side that hit the post and indeed a disallowed penalty. The player should have go down instead of still trying to score. To bad.

It didn't look to me like Aguilar was the problem today. The service he got was garbage for the most part. I lost count of how many passes to him down the flank were either way too far or way too high over his head. It was like watching USL-1.

dont forget in the first couple of minutes of the game if not for a great slide by the defender Gio could've scored and also Franco also had one that the goalie covered perfectly, besides his clear header that he blew. South Africa did what everyone expected them to do, fall back and try to take advantage of their speed on the counter...that worked for them, gave them a really nice goal and a couple of chances in the counter.

France and Uruguay won't attack as much as Mexico did today, i wonder what will be Parreira's gameplan now.

I thought it a blown call until I seen the replay. But as soon as I seen where Khune was I realized it was the right call.

The linesman deserves mad props for flagging that correctly. How many linesmen would've just seen the defender and not even kept an eye on the keeper?

I recall reading somewhere that the stadium holds over 94,000 so it was actually well short of a sellout.

He made 4 centres in the first half, all of them where targetted to Khune's hands, he was scared of dribbling and even running, at least Osorio has some balls.

The first two matches were officiated very well.

Did you watch the same game? Mexico forced some sick saves from SA's keeper and they hit the bar more than a few times.

It's one of those 'tale of two halves' type games.

Seems like, if many of you didn't see my link explaining the offside situation, the rule and the visual. Sharing it once again!

Here's the explanation along with a visual of the situation:
http://www.chrispd.de/news/20100611-2.php

Hope it will be useful!

It was a game of two halves! Mexico were all over us in the first 35 minutes and we found our footing in the last 10 minutes. Props to the linesman for that call ... very well judged.
In the second half SA was the better team and at the end of the day, the draw is kind of a fair result.

Ok... after being able to watch both matches, this is my analysis:

1. Mexico needs more mental fortitude when having a goal against. The team looked rather disorganized after the SA goal.

2. SA never truly dominated the match. They parked the bus (count the number of players in their side of the field when they didn't have the ball), but where very good in the counter. This style of play is Mexico's kryptonite, has always been... just ask the U.S.. They need to get the ball upfront... their talent is there, not defending... their defense would allow Mexican players to get pass by them and are not very organized.

3. Chicharo for Franco, Ochoa for Conejo, please. I know some think Conejo did well, but there were about three plays in which he looked lost in the play by going out when he was not supposed to or going for a ball and miscalculating it's height. I was not impressed.

4. In the end, after watching the other match, I truly believe both Mexico and SA have a good chance of making it to the next round. Uruguay has no midfield and France has the same problems Mexico does, no goal and suspect defense (they looked tired towards the end).

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=20972184&postcount=594

Maybe you should listen to these commentators instead of slagging them off, you might learn something.

And as for the penalty shout, it wouldn't have been a free kick out of the box so why would it be a penalty, he out muscled him.

If you think that was a bad call, then apparently you've been following soccer for only a few days.

Now we got to beat France

I am just glad he did not score. No player I dislike more than Blanco. He is the ultimate diver, and a disgrace to the game. Anyone who saw the Mexico-Honduras qualifier game in Mexico City when he layed on the ground like he had some serious injury and is taken off on a strecher and then is up in a few seconds pours water on himself and is back in the game in less than two minutes. If you are that hurt and need a strecher you don't need to back in the game.

From a Mexican perspective: Has South Africa proven you wrong or changed your opinions to some extent regarding their play?

From a South African perspective: Mexico has proven me wrong in out-posessing us. Dos Santos also looks like a big, big threat. He was for me Mexico's best player by far.


As for the possible penalty for Modise...if Modise actually protested, he may have convince or confirmed to the ref that it was indeed a penalty. Modise didn't protest, and cause the ref to see it to just be physical legit challenge. Fair play by Modise if this was the case...

I think he could have sold it as a penalty had he not tried to shoot. The moment he shot that ball, I think he lost his opportunity of getting it.

As for my assessment of SA, I still believe they are not very disciplined, lose their mark and are not good defending (fortunately for them, Franco is just as bad scoring). However, you have a good goalkeeper and a good attacking trio of Tchalala, Mphela and Pineaar. If Parreira sets them loose more instead of keeping all 11 men on their side of the field when defending, you would have a better chance of winning matches.The good news is Uruguay and France do not look like world beaters, so this could easily be a group where Mexico and SA go to the next round.