MichaelDBS Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Fancy a 3-1 Mexico win, probably going to be a rather dull game Venue: Soccer City, JohannesburgDate: Friday, 11 June 2010 Kick-off: 15:00 BST Coverage: ITV and BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary and video highlights on this website TEAM NEWS South Africa coach Carlos Parreira has named his side to face Mexico and is sticking with the team that beat Guatemala 5-0 and Denmark 1-0 in their final two warm-up matches. Mexico captain Rafael Marquez is back in training following an injury to his right leg, while West Ham striker Guillermo Franco is fit again after injuring a toe on his right foot in the friendly against England on 24 May. South Africa (4-5-1): Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela. MATCH PREVIEW Six years after winning the right to host the tournament, South Africa kick off the first-ever World Cup on African soil. The nation's hopes are in the hands of veteran coach Carlos Parreira, who led Brazil to glory in 1994. It will be no easy task. Bafana Bafana are the lowest-ranked country ever to host a World Cup and they are desperate to avoid becoming the first hosts to fail at the opening group stage. Parreira's team haven't played a competitive match in over a year, but confidence is growing following an unbeaten run of 12 matches dating back to October 2009, with Denmark their most recent victims. Expectations in Mexico are high that the country's 'golden generation' can produce a historic performance in South Africa. The likes of Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela are the pick of the bunch, while much is expected of Manchester United-bound striker Javier Hernandez. An enormous amount of preparation has gone into Mexico's World Cup build-up, with Javier Aguirre's men playing 12 friendly matches in 2010 alone. Their final warm-up match was a 2-1 victory over world champions Italy, suggesting El Tri's confidence may not be misplaced. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head -This will be the fourth meeting between these sides. Mexico have won two to South Africa's one. Their most recent meeting was a 2-1 win for Bafana Bafana in Los Angeles at the 2005 Gold Cup. South Africa - No home nation has lost in seven previous curtain-raisers. The record stands at five victories (Italy in 1934, Brazil 1950, Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and Germany 2006) and two 0-0 draws (England against Uruguay in 1966 and Mexico versus the Soviet Union in 1970). - South Africa are the second-lowest ranked side in the tournament (83) after North Korea (105). - Parreira is managing at his sixth World Cup after Kuwait (1982), the United Arab Emirates (1990), Saudi Arabia (1998) and Brazil (1994 and 2006). Mexico - No other side has played as many curtain-raisers as Mexico. El Tri will be playing in their fifth opener, having lost three and drawn one. - Mexico are yet to get the better of African opposition at a World Cup in two previous attempts: they lost 3-1 to Tunisia in 1978 and drew 0-0 v Angola in 2006. - Mexico have been eliminated at the last 16-stage at the past four World Cup finals. - El Tri have played 12 warm-up matches in 2010, winning eight and losing twice. MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan) Assistants: Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan) and Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan) Fourth official: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynm Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Going to stick my neck out and say draw 1-1... South African crowd will be mental and can see them causing a slight upset in the group stages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Mon less then 2.5 goals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMaster#28 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Mandela won't be going obviously. I wonder if there will be a minutes silence? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesbeams Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I think South Africa can win this, going for 2-1 SA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirZ Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Sad to hear about mandela's great grand kid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Mexico to win, just. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GillsMan Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 2-2. Pienaar to hit the woodwork at some point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djstu23 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Im expecting some goals for this game. Therefore it will end 0-0. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Yeah I see this match having goals. 2-1 Mexico. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGartz Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 4-2 Mexico. I'm putting my Mexico shirt on and my wrestling mask! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menz Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Can't wait. Mexico to win it 3-1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomma Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 0-0 . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Dean Gripton Posted June 11, 2010 SI Staff Share Posted June 11, 2010 I think South Africa can win this, going for 2-1 SA SA to win this. 1-0. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I think score draw, Mexicans aren't the best at the back and South Africa will be on a wave of excitement, can see them scoring, maybe 2-2 and livelier game than we think Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orzelek Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Can't wait for it to start! Viva Mexico! I expect a boring game, a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opto John Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Mexico are used to playing at altitude, so that won't affect them and was impressed with them v Holland and Italy. I predicted 1-1 in the league but I could easily see (and hope) El Tri nick it 2-1. Vamos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockney Hammer Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 3-2 Mexico. Looking forward to this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I ****ing love the World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner4eva Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 2-1 South Africa. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_rm Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 TRICOLOR TRICOLOR Did they reply gills? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I am with the opening post on this one! 3-1 Mexico, with Pienaar trying one really ambitious effort in the game from 30 yards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett.spurs Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Don't think the hosting nation has ever lost the opening game of a WC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 11, 2010 Administrators Share Posted June 11, 2010 1-0 either way, not sure who yet. What a fabulous day, I'm as giddy as gills. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I am hoping for some goals in this game but if Mexico play like they did against us then they will win quite easily. 3-1 Mexico. With you on that gills, I can't get enough of the World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 11, 2010 Administrators Share Posted June 11, 2010 Don't think the hosting nation has ever lost the opening game of a WC. Largely because until 2006 they didn't play in it unless they were the holders as well. Not sure how many times that happened but it was always holders rather than hosts who kicked it off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltaroad Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Can see Mexico winning this but cheering for the Africans. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_rm Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Does anyone know if I could stream this on an iPhone? Not in the UK so can't use iPlayer or the ITV equivalent. Won't get home/to the bar until 20 minutes into the first match Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett.spurs Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Largely because until 2006 they didn't play in it unless they were the holders as well. Not sure how many times that happened but it was always holders rather than hosts who kicked it off. Maybe it was the host's opening game(not the WC opening game) I only caught the end of it so maybe I heard it wrong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Does anyone know if I could stream this on an iPhone? Not in the UK so can't use iPlayer or the ITV equivalent.Won't get home/to the bar until 20 minutes into the first match Can you use tv catchup or does that not work in other countries as well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukE001 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 2-1 to Bafana Bafana Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bomma Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Anyone watching SSN? Some guy declaring his love for Georgie Thompson(sp?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanNUFC Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 2-0 win for mexico Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.O.V.I Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Would like to see south Africa win the first game, can't see it though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Mexico 1-0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG17 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Whats the deal with SA height? They got anyone huge and effective from corners? Mexico were embarrassingly poor at defending corners against England. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett.spurs Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Ahh, just found it. Impressive 1930 Uruguay - Peru 1-01934 Italy - USA 7-1 1938 France - Belgium 3-1 1950 Brazil - Mexico 4-0 1954 Switzerland - Italy 2-1 1958 Sweden - Mexico 3-0 1962 Chile - Switzerland 3-1 1966 England - Uruguay 0-0 1970 Mexico - Soviet Union 0-0 1974 West Germany - Chile 1-0 1978 Argentina - Hungary 2-1 1982 Spain - Honduras 1-1 1986 Mexico - Belgium 2-1 1990 Italy - Austria 1-0 1994 USA - Switzerland 1-1 1998 France - South Africa 3-0 2002 South Korea - Poland 2-0 2006 Germany - Costa Rica 4-2 14W-4D-0L is the record. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nattai Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Damn, the Vuvuzelas are loud already! Watching an interview from outside the stadium and can barely hear a thing. Can see South Africa doing really well, and think they will win tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djstu23 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Very impressive stat. I do think South Africa can do well, good unbeaten run coming into the world cup and a decent enough team aswell.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bacon Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 can yuo watch ITV Live on the web? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo DiscoBar Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Have the team lineups been announced. Is vela playing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djstu23 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 South Africa (4-5-1): Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela. No Mexico news yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtanen Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 For Nelson... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 South Africa to win 2-1 I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Neil Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Anyone watching SSN? Some guy declaring his love for Georgie Thompson(sp?) What actually happened? Tbf you can't blame him. Georgie Thompson is a beautiful speciman of a woman. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerokus Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Adrian Chiles AND Vuvuzelas? :<:<:< Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanNUFC Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Nice timing, planes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Radebe Love him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerokus Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Hahahah, Jim Rosenthal's face Hope someone caught that for posterity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bacon Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Nicest man in football. Official Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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