Bafana Bafana get ready for attacking opener
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Africa and Mexico are likely to go on the attack in the opening game of the World Cup today, hopefully ending a run of cagey and often dour starts to the finals.
Against a backdrop of fevered enthusiasm and the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at Johannesburg's cavernous Soccer City, an entertaining tone for the tournament is likely to be set by two teams who are much better going forward than defending.
Impressive results and performances from both sides in their warm-up games suggest a capacity crowd of almost 90,000 could be treated to a memorable opening to the 64-match event.
South Africa is the third African side to play in a World Cup opener, the two previous matches ending in shock triumphs for Cameroon over Argentina in 1990 and Senegal against France in 2002.
A home win today would not be as big a surprise, such has been the hosts' vast improvement in form, but it would still be a boost for South Africa and its tournament.
Disappointing form over the last few years threatened to put a damper on the 2010 World Cup. But a run of 12 unbeaten matches since November has turned the team from a potential embarrassment to strong outsiders.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira spoke again this week of the intimidatory effect he hoped the cacophony of an enthusiastic home support blowing plastic trumpets might have on their opponents.
"There is no doubt this can be our 12th man," the Brazilian said.
But Mexico will be able to counter that with confidence built from a win over defending champion Italy in Brussels last week and good performances against England and the Netherlands in friendlies over the last few weeks.
"Our philosophy is to always make good use of the ball," forward Carlos Vela said. "With that in mind, I think that (coach) Javier Aguirre has called up the right kind of players: ones who are quick and comfortable on the ball."
Mexico looks vulnerable at the back and has squandered numerous chances but South Africa has been guilty of doing the same thing in its warm-up matches.
Against a backdrop of fevered enthusiasm and the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at Johannesburg's cavernous Soccer City, an entertaining tone for the tournament is likely to be set by two teams who are much better going forward than defending.
Impressive results and performances from both sides in their warm-up games suggest a capacity crowd of almost 90,000 could be treated to a memorable opening to the 64-match event.
South Africa is the third African side to play in a World Cup opener, the two previous matches ending in shock triumphs for Cameroon over Argentina in 1990 and Senegal against France in 2002.
A home win today would not be as big a surprise, such has been the hosts' vast improvement in form, but it would still be a boost for South Africa and its tournament.
Disappointing form over the last few years threatened to put a damper on the 2010 World Cup. But a run of 12 unbeaten matches since November has turned the team from a potential embarrassment to strong outsiders.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira spoke again this week of the intimidatory effect he hoped the cacophony of an enthusiastic home support blowing plastic trumpets might have on their opponents.
"There is no doubt this can be our 12th man," the Brazilian said.
But Mexico will be able to counter that with confidence built from a win over defending champion Italy in Brussels last week and good performances against England and the Netherlands in friendlies over the last few weeks.
"Our philosophy is to always make good use of the ball," forward Carlos Vela said. "With that in mind, I think that (coach) Javier Aguirre has called up the right kind of players: ones who are quick and comfortable on the ball."
Mexico looks vulnerable at the back and has squandered numerous chances but South Africa has been guilty of doing the same thing in its warm-up matches.
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