2010 FIFA World Cup: South African Opener Was No Damp Squib

Friday's opening World Cup clash in Johannesburg was a real cracker. After all the hype it was Soccer City that hosted the opener between South Africa and Mexico and it certainly didn't disappoint.

So often opening major tournament games are a damp squib with both teams eager not to start with a defeat, but the Group A tussle, which ended 1-1, was an impressive start to what should prove to be an exciting tournament.

The atmosphere was raucous and the South Africa fans, armed with their vuvuzelas, really did make it a noisy affair and after a tentative start from the hosts they eventually began to find their feet.

Bafana Bafana could well have been a couple of goals down and were indebted to goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who made two fine saved to keep a vibrant Mexican side at bay.

After a 12-match unbeaten run going into the tournament, the hosts grew in confidence and took the lead 10 minutes after the break. And what a goal it was to open the tournament. Midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala thumped home a left-footed shot into the top corner after a fine pass from talisman Steven Pienaar.

It was a fitting strike to mark the first goal of the finals and was met by a wall of noise from the enthusiastic home crowd. Mexico, though, refused to go away and grabbed an equaliser from Rafael Marquez before South Africa clattered the post in the final minute.

The World Cup 2010 odds suggested South Africa would struggle to get out of their group, but they could spring a few surprises.

It was a terrific end-to-end encounter with some fine one-touch passing from both sides and both teams showed far more adventure than their group rivals France and Uruguay—who played out a tepid goalless draw later in the evening.

It leaves Group A on a knife edge and all four teams still have realistic designs on the knockout phase. World Cup group betting favourites France still look vulnerable and they will have to improve if Raymond Domenech is to sign off in style.