Group A looks too close to call after two draws on the opening day, but hosts South Africa and Uruguay should have a clearer idea of their destinies at this World Cup after what promises to be a hotly contested encounter in the heartland of Pretoria. While it is far-fetched to suggest that their Loftus Versfeld Stadium encounter will be decisive, a victory for either side would go a long way to booking a place in the Round of 16.
Score – South Africa 0 – 3 Uruguay
SA coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has made one change to his starting line-up against Uruguay, with Tsepo Masilela replacing Lucas Thwala.
Teams
South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 20-Bongani Khumalo, 4-Aaron Mokoena; 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar, 11-Teko Modise, 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala; 9-Katlego Mphela.
Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 3-Diego Godin, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 11-Alvaro Pereira, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
They may be riding a wave of optimism inside the host country, but Carlos Alberto Parreira’s South Africa will face a tough task against Uruguay. In their opening game against France, the Uruguayans showed that they possess the ability to contain teams and launch dangerous counter-attacks. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has hinted that against South Africa they will be more adventurous compared to that safety-first approach.
Uruguay have been preparing in Kimberley, a town famous for the surrounding gold mines, but it is goals that Uruguay want after their stalemate with France hence Tabarez’s expected decision to go with an extra striker in Edinson Cavani. The South Africans too want to improve on their finishing after the 1-1 draw with Mexico, where striker Katlego Mphela missed a glorious chance in the dying moments, watching in agony as his shot shaved the upright.
Still, South Africa gave their millions of home supporters cause for optimism with their opening display against Mexico. When pressed against the ropes in the first 20 minutes, they were able to absorb the pressure and, having overcome the stage fright that gripped them early on, found a head of steam in the second half. It was a performance that served notice that the hosts should not be taken lightly and the fact that they were less than 10 minutes from victory against an organised and polished Mexican side earned them rave reviews.
Players to watch
Itumeleng Khune v Diego Forlan
South Africa’s exciting young goalkeeper, Itumeng Khune, is in the form of his life, as seen by his flying save from Alessandro Dos Santos in the second half of the game against Mexico. He showed his importance to Bafana Bafana in that Opening Match and may need to be at his best again to deny a Uruguay front line including Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan. Although expected to play behind the front two, Forlan will be hustling for an opportunity to open his account after missing a late scoring chance against France. South Africa showed a lack of concentration when conceding an equaliser to Mexico and Forlan will be looking to exploit any such weaknesses.
The stats
7 – the number of goals scored between the two sides in their two previous meetings. All the goals came during the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup match in Saudi Arabia where South Africa lost 4-3.
What they say
“I think we broke the ice [against Mexico]. We will be much better against Uruguay because now we know what we’re going to get and what to expect. I think there are some things that we need to fix as well. We need to concentrate until the last minute and we need to take our chances in a game like this because they are a really good team,” South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar.
“All matches are different – now we’re facing South Africa, then Mexico, they will all be different, all difficult games. Hopefully we will be able to get more control of the ball; that way we will be able to run less and rest more, and manage the flow of the game better. South Africa is a team with good players, fast players that can counter and come out very quickly so we are going to have to be very careful,” Uruguay forward Diego Forlan.
Have your say
Who do you think? Can Bafana Bafana get their first win of their FIFA World Cup?
The English moan about everything,its just in their nature 🙂 Sorry Blue Bird,but look at what there media says all the time :p
@ Winston:
Any win will do, but if we win tonight , you can just as well stay home tomorrow. They will celebrate like mad. Man i love the positive spirit so i really hope we win. GOOOO BAFANAAAAAAA
I just hope we start well Super,we started very slowly against Mexico but think we’ll be more calm for this game. But agreed,I’ll take any win 🙂
it is official now
The most experienced Vodacom Bulls player in Super Rugby, Pedrie Wannenburg, is leaving the union to join the Irish side Ulster.
Wannenburg has been released by the Blue Bulls Company and will start his new life in Belfast on July 1st. Earlier in the season, Wannenburg became the first player from the franchise to reach 100 Super Games and finished the season on 113 games, of which 99 were consecutive. He won the Vodacom Super 14 trophy with the team three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has said that he has not set a target for his team to reach at the Soccer World Cup, but that he’d rather they let their own performance against Mexico inspire them.
Despite this, Parreira is very aware that the country’s soccer supporters would be hugely disappointed if the team were to fail to make it out of the group stage.
“This morning I woke up at five o’clock,” Parreira said. “I’m not stressed, I’m not panicked, but there is tension, I know the whole country is behind us. The whole country is expecting my team to deliver, but I’ve never told my players they have to reach the next round.”
“They have to believe in themselves, to believe in the quality they have – like they did in the second half (against Mexico). Apparently I look calm but inside I’m worried.”
I just hope he has cleaned up his act and goes well. He has been very loyal to the Bulls and a servant to the Union..
Just read that Loftus is also a fortress for Bafana, the played there 5 times won 3 and drew 2.
@ Winston:
He made a good comeback and yes i hope he is totally over all the ugly stuff.
Good Evening South Africa,
The BBC commentators and pundits all want Bafana Bafana to win tonight…..so good luck to your boys!
Good Luck Bafana Ek hoop regtig hulle wen.
BB thanks, the best thing for the Tournament will be that SA stays in.
It must so cold sitting in the stands,but would have loved to be there.
@ Puma:
Hi Puma, I think we are afraid we will get your ‘Horns’ Lords, Twickenham and all sporting events…..Keep the ruddy things in the S.H. !! 😆
Hey we do not moan all the time….!! 🙁
Gary Linneker thinks Desmond Tutu should do your team talk!!
I think Desmond would do a cracking job!! 🙂
@ Winston:
Winston, please….we are not that bad….anyway you know what we say about Saffas don’t you?
@ superBul:
Well I will watch later and keep fingers crossed for you nation…..Till later…
Enjoy what is left of your public holiday!!
Evening folks, go boys – skop goals op Loftus!!
@ fender:
They missed a serious trick by not picking Morne
Blue bird,you guys moan alot,no disrespect but its a fact,England blamed there inability to win on the fact that the noise was too much.. What crap.. But I’m sure they will go through,but the press is there biggest opponent 🙂
Lets get involved Bafana..
Hurricanes sou gelike het om op so geel Loftus te speel. 😆
Have to say your national anthem nearly feels like ‘My Own’ now!! 🙂
@ Winston:
Hurmphhh…A matter of opinion!! 😉
Lets agree to disagree Blue Bird but watch what happens if England dont go through there group or lose a game..
I hope they mended the seat I accidentally broke at Loftus last June!!
Am sure they did Blue Bird,that happened to a mate of mine at Kings Park and it was fixed 2 weeks later.
@ Winston:
Subject closed….I am going to walk the dogs!!
This will bring an early goal for Bafana Bafana….If I visit the ladies at a cricket match a wicket always falls!!!
Lol,then take the dogs for a long walk 🙂
Our focus not right?
I’m off. Take care all. Uruguay just scored,fark..
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