By Parvesh Dhillon and Asyraf Akbar
Parvesh Dhillon of VJC. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
South Africa, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 — Uruguay ensured their qualification after beating Mexico 1-0 with Luiz Suarez the only scorer in the game. With the losing team facing the prospect of elimination, both Group A teams played with intent right from the first whistle.
Uruguay were almost caught out by a superb strike from Andres Guardado. His shot had Fernando Muslera beaten but unfortunately hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear. Eventually, in the 43rd minute, Uruguay broke the deadlock through Luiz Suarez.
After some tenacious defending from the Uruguayan defence and by Diego Perez in particular, the score stayed at 1-0.
Man of the Match: Luiz Suarez
His goal meant that Uruguay topped Group A and will face South Korea in the round of 16.
More News and Reactions on Mexico vs Uruguay
Video highlights of the game
Goal.com players’ ratings
Diego Forlan delight at Uruguay victory
Mohd Asyraf Akbar of VJC. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
South Africa, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 — South Africa ended their World Cup campaign on a bittersweet note when they beat a 10-man France 2-1, becoming the first host nation to fail to get beyond the first round.
South Africa thoroughly deserved last night’s win; they were by far the hungrier of the two sides, winning most of the 50-50 balls. With the whole of Africa rooting them on, the South Africans were determined to put the loss to Uruguay behind them. They were also helped by the somewhat harsh dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff.
France can have no complaints, though. Raymond Domenech, soon to be the former national coach, chose to relegate Evra, Abidal, Henry and Malouda to the bench, punishing them for their indiscipline in handling Anelka’s expulsion from the team. The irony of it all is that Domenech is now the one jobless and highly regarded as the man who brought French football to a new low, not the players.
It was, however, a nice conclusion to Group A, with the hosts being celebrated although they did not advance to the 2nd round. Somewhere, a few thousand miles away, the Irish must be celebrating too. And maybe Anelka, too.
More News and Reactions on South Africa vs France
Video highlights of the game
Goal.com players’ ratings
France’s World Cup ‘disaster’ prompts soul-searching
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira proud of team
The rainbow nation: Well done Bafana
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
URUGUAY  | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
MEXICO  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
SOUTH AFRICA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
FRANCE  | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
Leave A Comment