World Cup Review: Day One

At long last, after all the hype and scary visions of Chris Kamara and Ian Wright in make on our TV screens, World Cup 2010 kicked off in South Africa.  I missed the opening ceremony as I was far too busy at work, from what I saw on the news it looked to be a fun, understated affair – quite fitting really.

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

The hosts kicked off the real tournament by playing Javier Aguirre’s Mexico.  I enjoyed the game, I didn’t enjoy the vuvuzelas which make it sounds as if the players aren’t playing in a stadium but in a giant beehive.  The match was an open contest with Mexico have the better of the play in the first half hour as the hosts struggled to settle, but things picked up towards the end of the first-half.  Just over 10 minutes into the second South Africa took a somewhat shock, but deserved lead.  Siphiwe Tshabalala – then name commentators love saying even more than Danny Shittu – blasted home a wonderful goal from the left-side of the box into the top right-hand corner of the goal having latched onto a through ball and breaking down the left wing.  Unfortunately for the hosts the Mexicans slowly began to respond before breaking through after 78 minutes when Barcelona’s Rafael Marquez comfortably slotted home at close range after some frankly awful South Africa defending left three Mexicans unmarked.

It was a great start to the tournament and South Africa kept up the record of a host nation having never lost their opening game.  Both teams could still find it tough to qualify – with the Mexicans perhaps looking the stronger team overall, but with the home support South Africa still stand a chance.

Watch the highlights on the BBC website

Uruguay 0 France 0

For South Africa and Mexico their chances of progressing will be enhanced after the 0-0 draw between Uruguay and France.  It was the classic 0-0, completely lifeless and dull – a good way of explaining the French performance as well.  Uruguay looked fairly comfortable with trying to hit the French on the break and will be even happier with a point after they had a man sent off with 15 minutes left.  The French on the other hand looked quite limp and clueless going forward, Yohann Gourcuff was the midfield mastermind, but Zinedine Zidane he is not – Leon Osman would be a closer resemeblence, if not in stature then in endeavour.  He seemed at the end of every decent move that went nowhere and also did a little jig as he took set pieces.  One first-half free-kick did trouble the Uruguayan keeper but it’s difficult to tell if he meant it or was simply a miss-hit cross.

In order to press on the French took off Anelka and brought on Thierry Henry who looks about good enough to play in the MLS these days – where he’s rumoured to be heading this summer.  Uruguay looked fine defending and as I said before will be happy getting a point against the perceived strongest in the group with the hosts and Mexico to come.

If you can stand stomach it, here are the highlights on the BBC site

It would be difficult to even pick a winner in this group at this point, no team looked especially dangerous and with the French struggling to fire you even they don’t look a safe bet.  My predictions (and you can check my William Hill account if you don’t believe me) were South Africa and Mexico to draw and France to win.

Today’s game (my predicitions)

South Korea v Greece (Greece)

Argentina v Nigeria (Argentina)

England v USA (draw)

Tomorrow Moff will be doing his review of Day Two, if he doesn’t drink too much.