Good game by South Africa. Great goal, chances, and saves.


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Hosts Held By Mexico In Opener?
MEXICO'S Rafael Marquez struck with ten minutes left to deny hosts South Africa a winning start to the World Cup after the opening game finished 1-1 in Johannesburg.

Have your say.

Fucking excellent way to open the tournament.

Fantastic game, some good open flowing football by both sides.

I reckon a draw was a fair result given some of the chances. Both sides had trouble controlling the controversial ball at times. Although i feel Mexico will be kicking themselves for not getting a goal in the ferocious 15 ,minute period at the begining of the game where they dominated possession.

Good little 5 minutes at the end of the first half by South Africa. I think it's good they scored the first goal, was a beautiful through ball, and they deserved their goal. It was a wonderful goal. Although they slacked off a bit and poor defending for Mexico, although it was a good composed shot.

South Africa i reckon were a bit unlucky not to win that, especially at that shot at the end that went off the post, although the question has to be asked of the mexican keeper - what the fuck was he doing???? instead of dropping low to cover his near post, he jumps in the air like he's been suprised from behind :lol: had that post been a couple more inches to the left, the keeper would have let in a soft goal for mine, although it was yet another beautiful through ball to him.

But yer, a draw IMO was a fair result even though i did tip Mexico to win 3-1.

Dos Santos... amazing.

Great opener for a neutral... Although if I was a supporter/National of either country I'd imagine it would be very tense football to watch.

Really enjoyed Mexico's carefree football too...

Good game. Took SA a while to get started though.

Makes this group even harder to pick now. Every win will be crucial.

I thought so, but I looked at the replay, and the strikers leg/foot look like he was going to chip the ball (although I doubt it was deliberate, I think it's just how his feet ended), which is why he jumped.

Good fun opener. Draw probably a fair result. Although the scores could have been anything.

AMAZING goal that first one. Brilliant strike.

Good ebb and flow to the game. Great opener.

Great game - Mexico will be thoroughly disappointed in the result, though. Saffas will be over the moon.

loved watching the Mexicans pass the ball, did not see second half though...

dos santos = championship player and spurs reject?? cmon arry give him a go!!!

Great game to start. Bring on the roos.

Great start!!! should be a good tournament

Draw probably a fair result. Although the scores could have been anything

Excellent game, South Africa did well to regroup after that hammering Mexico gave in the first session of play. Mexico could be a real contender but for their keeper, what a numb nut.
That ball does seem to be troubling the players.

Good first up game. Not fantastic, but good.

Good first game by both teams. I was impressed at Marquez and Torrado managing the midfield. And Marquez's mobility as DM and CB was awesome to watch.

But damn, South Africa have a lot of speed, and link up passes fairly well too. Who would have thought?

I watched the first 35 minutes before I went to bed...from what I saw SA were lucky not to concede early. Obviously the second half was a different story.

Great first game, hight tempo and full of emotions

I was really impressed with the South African, comsidering so many of their players play in the local league. The right winger Modise looked really good all night. I have a feeling mexico and south africa are going to be the two teams to progress from this group.

Good high tempo game, which it seems to me had a lot to do with the ball. Only watching other games will either confirm or dismiss that theory.
Musky should probably try learning the players names though before opening his mouth...........

"I'm disappointed that we didn't blow a lot of vuvuzelas, but let's hopes in the next game we'll blow more," Khune said. "There were not enough. It was more like a Mexico home game."

HAHAHA... They were noisy enough on TV, I don't think you could have heard many fans. They may as well put them where the sun don't shine.

@ Heineken - I'm guessing the GK on the bench would have saved it. Ochoa is a good and pretty young GK, but I guess they went for one with WC experience.

Brilliant game. Each side could have scored 3 or 4. Tshabalala is a great player, he's got speed, good control and a pretty handy shot on him too :D Khune did pretty well in goal too, couple of great saves but there was nothing he could do about Mexico's goal. He would have torn his defenders to shreds. On the other hand, Oscar Perez looked VERY nervous and out of his depth, though again, nothing he could do about South Africas goal either.

Dos Santos was great in midfield, his dribbling was tops and it makes me wonder how he hasn't seen more club game time. I'd say overall Mexico played a bit better but 1-1 was fair enough.

fantastic match to open the tournament, 1-1 draw is good result for Bafana Bafana as they were playing against the toughest team in their group. You've got to wonder why Dos Santos and Vela (especially Dos Santos) both have struggled for club. Mexico need to bring in Ochoa for Perez who is very dodgy. Mexico also need to bring in Hernandez for Franco and Guardado into midfield.

South Africa on the other hand were excellent ecspecially Khume, Mokoena and the Steve Mandanda look a-like centre back. Both Mexico and South Africa will progress in my opinion. Referee was excellent

BTW any notice Muscat commentating and getting mixed up with the Mexican players all night long. Terrible choice by SBS to have him there. Is Martin Tyler gonna do any of the games?

ESPN in the US have hired Tyler, so we won't be hearing him ... and I really missed him. The commentating was bad. Does Les or Fozzie ever commentate?

great opener. Feel sorry for south africa, but a draw was probably the fair result.

yep, great way to start the tournament. Was hoping Mexico would come away with a win, only because they were against a home side with 85000 noisy Sth Africans lol:) Great to see Sth Africa come out to play in the second half. With the other result being tied it makes this group real interesting. That ball seemed to cause alot of troubles to everyone except that old fella for the Mexicans

should also mention Dos Santos, sorry mate you shined.

Nice game first up and i thought Mexico really lost it after half time. i remember thinking they look tired or something and they might concede. Potentially a fitness thing though they picked the tempo back up in the final 20.

Not to take anything away from the first goal, it was a wonderful strike, but i would have liked to see a offside camera angle. Live i thought he looked ahead of the defender. Most likely wrong though.