World Cup kicks-off
OK so the D.M. has been a TOTAL slacker. But we’re finally here after 4 years of waiting with the 2010 World Cup from South Africa with Game 1 of 64. Spoiler alert: stop reading if you’ve DVR’ed this.
A scoreless first half was marked by a nervous and slow South Africa team and Mexico controlling the ball around the whole pitch. Mexico goal in the 37th, which was erased on an arguable offside call and a near South Africa goal off a missed header in the 43rd. Khune (South Africa’s keeper) had a brilliant block of a strike by Mexico’s Dos Santos.
The second half definitely had more action, and the goals. Tshabalala had the opening scoring salvo of the tourney with a great goal in the 55th…the pass, the speed, the patience, and the brilliant shot into the back right corner of the net. In the 79th, Mexico tied it up with Marquez faking to the keeper’s right side then squeezing in a shot between the keeper’s left side and the post. So, 1-1 at the end. Mphela from South Africa ALMOST squeezed in a goal on a quick counterattack in the last few minutes, but the post (not the keeper) came up with a great block.
All in all, a decent game with a fun second half. By the way here is the TV schedule (East Coast times) for all 64 games.
Uruguay v. France coming up later today.
RIP for the great-granddaughter of Nelson Mandela (obviously responsible for a lot of great things, including bringing the World Cup to South Africa), who was killed yesterday in a car accident. And congrats to South Africa for the draw in the opening game of what will be an awesome experience for the country and the fans around the world.
