Oh, to be home, sweet home! The first World Cup ever to be held on African soil will be such a sweet relief for the national team of South Africa. This opening-game gala on June 11th to kick off the 2010 World Cup versus Mexico will be held in fine fashion in Johannesburg. A celebration for a nation coming together through apartheid, poverty, famine, and injustice, this third cup appearance for South Africa will be it’s first since 2002 ufabet.
The Republic will feature a team that does not have much experience in such a large stage as this, but comes prepared to do battle with a nation of over 49 million behind it. The play of midfielder Steven Pienaar (club: Everton) will be the key for the attack. His creative style and aggressive mindset will set the tone for the pace of the offense. The captain of the team, and leader of the defense, is Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth). Known as “The Axe”, his relentless tackling ability will help bring toughness to a rather undersized lineup. The main focus for this team, though, has to be on it’s sideline. The coach, Brazilian-born Carlos Alberto Parreira, is regarded as one of the finest National team coaches around. He led his native country to a World Cup trophy in 1994, and has an extensive wealth of knowledge from being around the game so long.
Mexico, on the other hand, has been here numerous times before. This will be their 14th appearance on the grand stage, including making every World Cup since 1994. This time around, they bring a mix of veteran leadership and super-young talent to these games. Led by captain Rafael Marquez (club: Barcelona) and wily 36-year-old magician midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Mexican club Veracruz), El Tri will be looking to make a statement on the opening night against the host country. With young talent like forward Carlos Vela (Arsenal) and speedy wingers Giovanni Dos Santos (Turkish club giant Galatasaray) and Andres Guardado (Deportivo), the Mexicans have such an advantage in tactical terms that it will take a lot out of the African defense to slow them down. And with Guillermo Ochoa (Club America) in goal for El Tri, they have a solid defense.
These two countries have never played against each other in a World Cup match, but have previously squared off with each other in friendlies. Mexico, ranked 17th in the FIFA World Rankings, took two of the three, but the last one came nearly five years ago. So with new talent on the field, especially in the case of the South Africans, ranked 90th, this match doesn’t contain any heated hatred or rivalry with it.
So now that the time for glorious football is upon us, the question remains whether or not South Africa will be a good host not just off the pitch, but on it as well. Last year’s Confederations Cup, held on the same grounds, and produced exceeded results for the host nation. They survived group play, and made it to the third-place game, a rousing success by their standards. If they repeat that same outcome this time around, all will be considered well. But alas, the spotlight will be too bright, and with this opening game will come an immediate letdown for the Republic, as their skill level will not be able to contain the talented Mexicans. The home support will at best allow for a draw, but this opening match may put a bitter taste in the mouths of the natives if they come away with a loss after the first game played. Who is your pick for this game?
SAD