Friday, June 11, 2010

The lowdown - South Africa versus Mexico

Like I said before I'll be predicting the scores and telling you who to watch and to that end....

In less than 2 hours, the most undeserved qualifiers, even if they are hosts, South Africa will take on a bubbly Mexican side. Well, there is no McCarthy in the South African squad and that is down to some hard decisions and competition in the striking positions and the man who seems to step forward for the ‘Bafana’ is Katlego Mphela of Mamelodi Sundowns. Pienaar is their most high profile player along with Aaron Mokoena but Mphela needs to do the business upfront otherwise the decision to leave McCarthy at West Ham will look a bit stupid. Mphela likes his freekicks and Spain found out the hard way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRhhLJMB2J4

Anyhow, South Africa won’t win and they won’t get through the group stages. Sad but I believe that. They’ll lose 2 - 1 to Mexico although the vuvuzelas (those mad trumpets) will make it sound like 90,000 bumblebees are against any Mexican in the stadium and they’ll score with a penalty.

Mexico though are full of attacking prowess – Dos Santos, Franco, Hernandez, Guardado and even Blanco will make them exciting to watch. They will struggle in defence though with a goalkeeper who doesn’t necessarily inspire (if Perez starts). However, the key man for them is Gerardo Torrado. He is the shield for their backline and he is tough. So tough that even Peter Reid loves him. Every team needs a water carrier and although a veteran, his play break-up and distribution is critical for Mexico to get through the groups. Not a bad finisher when he doesn’t get a nose bleed going forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEDaH7z8tl4

So, Mphela, Torrado and Mexico 2 – 1 South Africa.


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