No Dream Start for Host South Africa, World Cup Underway

(WFI) The wait is over. With the eyes of the world upon them, a nation stood still, found a TV screen – or, if they were very lucky - a precious match ticket, grabbed their vuvuzela and pinned their high hopes upon the Bafana Bafana, "the boys" of South Africa.

"This is an African World Cup," said South African president Jacob Zuma to the crowd in Soccer City before kick-off. "The time for Africa has come, it has arrived. Ke Nako."

"The FIFA World Cup is in South Africa!" said a hoarse Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, who repeated himself to cheers as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself.

Unlike many previous World Cup opening matches, defined by nerves and a fear of losing, this was a compelling opening game played with real passion and verve.

Rafael Marquez’s 79th minute goal earned a 1-1 draw, after Siphiwe Tshabalala had given South Africa the lead ten minutes after halftime.

At the end Bafana Bafana’s goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, fell to his knees as if he had tasted defeat. In some ways it must have felt like that, for South Africa played brilliantly in the second half.

Urged on by the magnificent home crowd, they played with spirit and intensity that was reminiscent of a good English team.

For much of the first half Mexico enjoyed most possession, but sat back as South Africa tried unsuccessfully to furrow a way through their defence. The hosts found space down the flanks, but were too often ponderous or untidy at crucial points.

Their best chance came just before half-time when Tshabalala broke down the left, and curled a cross of magnificent ferocity that evaded Mphela’s head by inches. The slightest of touches would surely have yielded a goal.

But it was Mexico that were most dangerous in the first period and for a 10-minute spell they threatened to overwhelm South Africa with a series of lightning breaks.

Mexico will have felt hard done to by the linesman’s flag, but after what passed in the second half they were ultimatelylucky to get away with a draw.

On 55 minutes, Tshabalala was played in down the left and broke into the Mexico penalty area, before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Perez’s goal. It was only his sixth international goal in 49 starts.

Their lucky break came on 78 minutes when Mokoena missed out on a hopeful cross and Marquez, finding himself unmarked and in space, slotted the ball home.

Still South Africa might have won it in the last minute of normal time. Kuhne’s long punt found Mphela, who had the pace and composure to beat the Mexico defence, but not the finish and his shot ricocheted off the outside of the post.

Other World Cup News...

... The 2010 FIFA World Cup continues tomorrow with the following matches: South Korea vs. Greece; Argentina vs. Nigeria; England vs. United States.

For continuing on the scene coverage of the World Cup, be sure to visit World Football Insider.

With reporting from James Corbett and Mark Bisson in Johannesburg.