Mexico vs South Africa 2010 World Cup Match Pictures
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World Cup 2010
South Africa and Mexico Draw 1-1 in World Cup 2010 Opener
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World Cup 2010
Barcelona's Rafael Marquez got the equaliser for Mexico(credit:wikipedia)
Hosts held to draw by Mexico in opening match of World Cup 2010
The World Cup got underway this afternoon in Johannesburg, and the home fans were out in force with their vuvezelas in an attempt to cheer South Africa to a victory over Mexico.
Both sides were tentative in the opening exchanges, with Mexico the more dominant side creating some early chances that neither Carlos Vela not Giovani Dos Santos could convert.
Mexico gave the impression that they would come out after the break and stamp their authority on the game, but it was South Africa who drew first blood thanks to an incisive break, and a rocketing finish from Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 55th minute.
For a long period in the second half it looked like that goal would be enough to separate the sides, as Mexico struggled to get back into the game, but with just 10 minutes remaining Barcelona star Rafael Marquez had time in the penalty area to bring down Andres Guardado’s cross and fire in an equaliser.
Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa scores the first goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
That proved to be the game’s final goal, although South Africa striker Katlego Mphela almost sent the home crowd into raptures in the 89th minute when he was sent clean through on goal, only to scuff his shot against the outside of the post.
In the end a draw was a fair result, and neither coach will have been too disappointed to finish level but both teams will now have their work cut out to qualify from Group A.
2010 World Cup teams statistics and Fifa Team media officers contacts
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World Cup 2010
World Cup 2010 South Africa Team Profile and Squad List
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World Cup 2010
Profile
There is an air of cautious optimism in South Africa as the Rainbow Nation prepares to write what is undoubtedly the most significant chapter of its short football history. A mammoth task lies ahead.Recent years have brought ample disappointments, but Bafana Bafana have also shown, albeit in patches, that - given motivation and purpose - they can be a potent threat. And there can be no greater motivation than representing their country in a FIFA World Cup™ on home soil.
In 1996, four years after their readmission to international football, South Africa shot to prominence and stunned the African continent by claiming their maiden CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy against Tunisia at Soccer City in Johannesburg. How ironic that, 16 years later, South Africa will return to the venue where they achieved this first major success, aiming to rewrite the script on an even bigger stage.
Their gallant performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June, when they lost narrowly to Brazil in the semi-finals and to Spain in the third place play-off, should certainly serve as a chilling reminder to their detractors that this team, when stretched to its potential, cannot be underestimated. That tournament witnessed several impressive performances strung together by the hosts, and ultimately it was only their inability to convert cleverly-tailored moves into goals that led to their demise.
The road to South Africa
South Africa, by virtue of their role as hosts, gained automatic qualification.
The star players
Talented midfield maestro Steven Pienaar is South Africa's prize assert. In the absence of the country's most successful striker, Benni McCarthy, who remains out of favour, Pienaar brings much-needed innovation and imagination to the side.
Since his arrival at Everton, Pienaar has reinvented himself and matured as an all-round player. While he continues to polarise opinion in his native country, no-one in South Africa disputes the confidence he exudes on the field and his ability to inject inspiration into the team's play. His performances during the FIFA Confederations Cup were yet another reminder that he will be key to any South African success in 2010.
Yet arguably just as vital to the Bafana Bafana cause are two players who have laboured tirelessly and effectively with little recognition: wingbacks Siboniso Gaxa and the enterprising Tsepho Masilela.
The coach
Now in his second stint as a South Africa coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira's return was greeted with mixed feelings in South Africa, although the Brazilian's many supporters are adamant that he is the man to lead this side to the ‘Promised Land' in 2010. Parreira certainly has the pedigree, having led his native country to the beautiful game's ultimate prize at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. The extensively-travelled coach also brings a wealth of experience, which should prove vital in revitalising a South African side struggling with some significant pre-tournament problems. However, Parreira will be hoping to avoid the difficulties he endured during an inauspicious first spell as head coach, which witnessed him fail to lead South Africa beyond the first round at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
Previous FIFA World Cups
South Africa have failed to make it beyond the group stages in either of their two previous FIFA World Cup appearances. Clearly, this is a situation they will be desperate to remedy. Their first appearance was in France 1998, six years after they had been readmitted to the global football family. Despite a 3-0 drubbing to France in their opening game, they went on to put a decent show against Denmark and Saudi Arabia, drawing against both. Korea/Japan 2002 was expected to be an opportunity for Bafana Bafana to step up to the next level but, ultimately, they flattered to deceive, crashing out after the group stage despite beating Slovenia 1-0 for their first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
Record
* This is South Africa's third appearance at the FIFA World Cup. Their first participation was at France 1998 and they also qualified for Korea/Japan 2002.
* Benni McCarthy scored the country's first goal at the FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw against Denmark on 18 June 1998.
* South Africa's incumbent captain, Aaron Mokoena remains the country's most capped player.
* South Africa hosted and won the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 at their first attempt, beating Tunisia 2-0 in Johannesburg's Soccer City. They went on to finish as runners-up at the following edition in 1998, losing to Egypt 2-0 in the final.
What they said
"We are all aware that it is a huge honour to play in a World Cup on home soil; not many players have had such a privilege. We are also aware of the task that lies ahead. For us, the World Cup is our priority, it's our biggest goal. We need to represent our country with pride," Aaron Mokoena, South Africa captain.
Squad List
| Nr. | Name | Date of Birth | Position | Clubs | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moneeb JOSEPHS | 19/05/1980 | GK | Orlando Pirates (RSA) | 184 |
| 2 | Siboniso GAXA | 06/04/1984 | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) | 178 |
| 3 | Tsepo MASILELA | 05/05/1985 | DF | Maccabi Haifa (ISR) | 174 |
| 4 | Aaron MOKOENA | 25/11/1980 | DF | Portsmouth (ENG) | 183 |
| 5 | Anele NGCONGCA | 20/10/1987 | DF | Racing Genk (BEL) | 177 |
| 6 | MacBeth SIBAYA | 25/11/1977 | MF | Rubin Kazan (RUS) | 176 |
| 7 | Lance DAVIDS | 11/04/1985 | MF | Ajax Cape Town (RSA) | 171 |
| 8 | Siphiwe TSHABALALA | 25/09/1984 | MF | Kaizer Chiefs (RSA) | 170 |
| 9 | Katlego MPHELA | 29/11/1984 | FW | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) | 180 |
| 10 | Steven PIENAAR | 17/03/1982 | MF | Everton (ENG) | 173 |
| 11 | Teko MODISE | 22/12/1982 | MF | Orlando Pirates (RSA) | 172 |
| 12 | Reneilwe LETSHOLONYANE | 09/06/1982 | MF | Kaizer Chiefs (RSA) | 173 |
| 13 | Kagisho DIKGACOI | 24/11/1984 | MF | Fulham (ENG) | 180 |
| 14 | Matthew BOOTH | 14/03/1977 | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) | 198 |
| 15 | Lucas THWALA | 19/10/1981 | DF | Orlando Pirates (RSA) | 170 |
| 16 | Itumeleng KHUNE | 20/06/1987 | GK | Kaizer Chiefs (RSA) | 180 |
| 17 | Bernard PARKER | 16/03/1986 | FW | Twente Enschede (NED) | 172 |
| 18 | Siyabonga NOMVETHE | 02/12/1977 | FW | Moroka Swallows (RSA) | 173 |
| 19 | Surprise MORIRI | 20/03/1980 | MF | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) | 173 |
| 20 | Bongani KHUMALO | 06/01/1987 | DF | SuperSport Utd. (RSA) | 184 |
| 21 | Siyabonga SANGWENI | 29/09/1981 | DF | Golden Arrows (RSA) | 182 |
| 22 | Shu-Aib WALTERS | 26/12/1981 | GK | Maritzburg Utd. (RSA) | 188 |
| 23 | Thanduyise KHUBONI | 23/05/1986 | MF | Golden Arrows (RSA) | 18 |
Coach
- Name: Carlos Alberto PARREIRA
- Country: Brazil
- Date of Birth: 27 February 1943
Coaching Career
- South Africa (RSA) : From 2009 to 2010
- Fluminense (BRA) : From 2009 to 2009
- South Africa (RSA) : From 2007 to 2008
- Brazil (BRA) : From 2003 to 2006
- Corinthians (BRA) : From 2002 to 2002
- Internacional (BRA) : From 2000 to 2001
- Santos (BRA) : From 2000 to 2000
- Atletico Mineiro (BRA) : From 2000 to 2000
- Fluminense (BRA) : From 1999 to 2000
- Saudi Arabia (KSA) : From 1997 to 1998
- Metro (USA) : From 1997 to 1997
- São Paulo (BRA) : From 1996 to 1996
- Fenerbahçe (TUR) : From 1995 to 1996
- Valencia CF (ESP) : From 1994 to 1995
- Brazil (BRA) : From 1992 to 1994
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) : From 1990 to 1990
- Saudi Arabia (KSA) : From 1988 to 1990
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) : From 1985 to 1988
- Fluminense (BRA) : From 1984 to 1984
- Brazil (BRA) : From 1983 to 1983
- Kuwait (KUW) : From 1978 to 1982
- Fluminense (BRA) : From 1975 to 1975
- Asante Kotoko (GHA) : From 1968 to 1968
- Ghana (GHA) : From 1967 to 1968
- Sao Cristovao (BRA) : From 1967 to 1967
As the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts prepare for their most daunting task yet in international football, most of the responsibility to mould the side and deliver them to the ‘Promised Land’ lies in the hands of experienced journeyman and FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira. Now in his second stint as Bafana Bafana head coach, Parreira’s return was greeted with mixed feelings in South Africa. Although the Brazilian’s many supporters are adamant that he is the man to right the wrongs of the team ahead of the world’s greatest showpiece, he was re-hired following a spate of inauspicious results under then-coach, Joel Santana, who led the team to eight defeats on the trot. Immediately after Parreira’s arrival, he focused on reviving the morale and insisted on boosting the flagging confidence amongst his charges. And his arrival has seemingly breathed life back into the hosts.
Parreira certainly has the pedigree to inspire. He led his native country to the beautiful game’s ultimate prize at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. The extensively-travelled coach also brings a wide-range of experience, which should prove vital in revitalising a South African side struggling with some complicated pre-tournament issues. However, Parreira will be hoping to avoid the difficulties he endured during an inauspicious first spell as head coach, which witnessed him fail to lead South Africa beyond the first round at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. While some have been quick to dismiss South Africa’s chances at the World Cup, Parreira has reminded the sceptics about Bafana’s gallant showing at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Even though he was not at the helm then, Parreira can claim it was he who did the spadework for his compatriot, Santana.
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