This article was published on the Telegraph World Cup Blog.
As previously mentioned, one of our forum regulars on Joys and Sorrows “Robmac” lives in South Africa, as the J&S World Cup Correspondent. He has wrote us up another blog this time about his experience with South Africa’s second match against Uruguay. (It was written yesterday before Mexico’s defeat of France).
With the whole of South Africa a buzz as a result of the opening game expectations were high that Bafana Bafana were on track to record the desired win to ensure progress to the next round of the World Cup.
With the temperatures hovering just above zero on the highveld, I applaud the supporters of both sides who showed up at Loftus Versveld stadium for the game, everyone in SA was hoping that with the pace of the young South African side we would see an all out offensive against the Uruguayan goalmouth.
Enter Forlan and Suarez, no one had handed them the script and from the off they were directing traffic through on goal for Uruguay. Bafana Bafana were slow off the mark just as they were in the Mexico game and Uruguay seemed determined to take advantage of this.
It was apparent that the Uruguayans were intent on making the game a rough and tumble affair and the first half was littered with a number of clumsy tackles from both sides. Whilst watching the game on TV at home i started to wonder if this was a bridge to far for the young Bafana Bafana side.
During the day we had already seen two memorable matches with Chile winning it first match at the World Cup in 48 years and Spain one of the pre tournament favourites losing to Switzerland, it now was starting to look like Uruguay were going to get there first win at the world cup since 1990 was this a day for upsets and were we going to go to sleep disappointed.
It did not take long for the feeling to become a reality, in the 24th minute Diego Forlan crashed a deflected shot past Khune in the SA goals to take the lead, credit needs to be given where due and the Uruguayan team management had gone with a 3 man strike force in Suarez, and Cavani upfront with Forlan in the pocket behind the two strikers, this ploy.was obviously giving the SA defence problems.
I had been hoping that this would now spark a reaction from Bafana Bafana and bring the game to life however it became apparent that the SA team management had decided that damage control would become the order of the day and try and hit them on the break. This tactic backfired when Khune in the SA goal brought down Suarez in the 80th minute and was sent off for his actions, up stepped Forlan and completed his brace for the evening and put the game effectively out of Bafana Bafana’s reach.
The second goal triggered movement in the stands and many supporters who had braved the biting cold decided it was now the time to head for warmer accommodation. This was disappointing to see but understandable under the circumstances. To add insult to injury Perreira scored Uruguay’s third in the 95th minute to complete the drubbing.
Although I am obviously partisan in my support for Bafana Bafana you have to take your hat off to our opposition who out thought, out played, out manoeuvred South Africa in every aspect of the game and deserve their position at the top of Group A.
Bafana Bafana will now wait with baited breath for the result of the France – Mexico game this evening to see what the future may or may not hold for them. Which ever way it goes the game against France on the 22nd June 2010 will be one not to be missed by any true SA supporter.
Robmac
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