WORLD CUP - DAY 1

The World Cup kicked off today, and all the hype and anticipation was replaced by action. The opening match between South Africa and Mexico at the hugely impressive Soccer City in Johannesburg was preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony in front of 94,000 people. The event was tinged by sadness, however. Nelson Mandela, the iconic former president, was due to attend the opening ceremony and some of the opening game. However, he missed both completely due to the death of one of his great-granddaughters in a car crash on the way back from the pre-tournament concert in Soweto last night.
However, the show had to go on. The ceremony began with a five-plane military flypast over the stadium, which resembled a huge African cooking pot. A group of dancers and drummers performed a ‘Welcome to Africa’ song that included an introduction to all of the ten host stadiums, a gigantic beetle showed off its skills with the official ball of the finals and musicians and artists from the six African representatives at this World Cup had the chance to show off their abilities. And to finish off, large pieces of cloth were used to show a map of the continent.
The first African World Cup could not have got under way in better circumstances. But what about on the pitch? The 2010 World Cup almost had a fairytale start, before Mexico’s class told to salvage a draw. So neither of these teams took the early initiative in Group A. The experienced and technically gifted Central Americans dominated for long spells, with English based trio Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Guillermo Franco to the fore. But they lacked a cutting edge, as has often been the case since the days of the great Hugo Sanchez. Chances came and went, but as the South African forwards fed off scraps, no-one was to know the drama that was around the corner. On 55 minutes, Siphiwe Tshabalala took the roof off Soccer City. He picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner from a tight angle. What a way to make your name known to the world! This took the Mexicans by surprise, but they recovered, and after Giovani tested the keeper Itumeleng Khune, captain Rafael Marquez popped up at the back post to break South African hearts. But there almost was a fairytale finale in the final minute. Striker Katlego Mphela, linked with a move to Birmingham City, agonisingly rolled a shot onto the post, and the Bafana Bafana had to settle for a point. This was probably more than they expected, though.
The second game in Group A did not hit the same heights as the opener, and consequently, none of the four teams took the early initiative. The best chance fell to Sidney Govou as early as the seventh minute, but the Lyon winger failed to convert Franck Ribery’s inviting cross from in front of the goal. Diego Forland and Yoann Gourcuff brought good saves out of the opposing keepers, but chances were few and far between. Forlan looked lively and Abu Diaby was an imposing presence in the centre of France’s midfield. Suarez was inches away from connecting with a Forlan free-kick, while the latter fired a presentable chance wide. France coach Raymond Domenech was ponderous in his substitutions – Jose Mourinho he is not, and he is not the most pro-active. Thierry Henry was introduced to the fray midway through the second-half, to little effect. Florent Malouda, the Chelsea winger who is coming into the World Cup off the back of a superb season, wasn’t introduced until 15 minutes to play. Domenech was finally going for it, and this in itself was a surprise following rumours of a bust-up between Malouda and the coach. Uruguay started to think they might win this, until substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was stupidly sent off for kicking the ball away and a late tackle. France brought on Pierre Andre-Gignac for the shocking Govou, but Domenech’s curious decisions continued by playing the bulking striker on the right instead of down the middle. The French still lacked a spark, and the ten men of Uruguay held on comfortably.
So what have learnt from Group A on this opening day? Well, mainly that all the teams are fairly evenly-matched – i.e. none of them are anything special, and this looks like the weakest group. England should not be worried should they play any of these teams in a potential quarter-final. Although this is jumping the gun to an extent!

GOAL OF THE DAY - Siphiwe Tshabalala

The only candidate in a day often devoid of quality. The World Cup will have rarely seen a better opening goal for a tournament, although Philip Lahm’s opener four years ago is a real contender. The left-winger cut inside on the left and fired a ferocious finish into keeper Oscar Perez’s top corner. A sensational start, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

MOMENT OF THE DAY - SOUTH AFRICA TAKING THE LEAD AND CELEBRATIONS

The roof of soccer city being lifted off when Tshabalala gave the hosts the lead has to rank as one of the greatest moments in recent sporting history. The left-winger and his teammates celebrated in style, dancing around the corner flag in scenes reminiscent to Senegal’s players when they shocked France in 2002. The vuvuzelas certainly enjoyed it!

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Sidney Govou.

The France striker missed an absolute sitter to waste an opportunity to give France an early lead. Franck Ribery escaped down the left and cut a brilliant ball back across the face of goal. Govou seemingly only had to tap the ball past Fernando Muslera in the Uruguay goal. However, he tried to open his foot up and caress the ball into the back of the net, but instead he made minimal contact and sidefooted the ball wide.

PLAYER OF THE DAY - Itumeleng Khune

The South African goalkeeper helped his team to what could be a crucial point. Although the hosts were 11 minutes from an opening game victory, without vital saves from Franco, Giovani and Vela, it could have been much worse for South Africa.

FANTASY TEAM - Luis Suarez

A pitiful showing from the only representative of my FIFA fantasy World Cup squad. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez perhaps suggested it is not to difficult to score goals in Holland. The Ajax striker, fresh from scoring 49 goals in 48 games last season, rarely threatened and certainly looked the junior partner alongside Diego Forlan, and between them they scored an astonishing 78 goals last season. And as Alan Hansen said during the interval on the BBC – ‘they clearly don’t play the offside rule in Holland.’ Yes, Suarez seems to be Uruguay’s answer to Filippo Inzaghi, except he didn’t time his run right once.