The FIFA World Cup Thread #1/Sports Thread Special #2 For 6/22/10: Uruguay Tops The Group, Mexico Survives, The Bafana Are Out Of Their Own Party, And France......OY!


The Group A Wrap Up:
The first group of this 2010 World Cup is over, and it certainly provided enough storylines for half of the groups in this World Cup.

It was always going to generate headlines from the pre-tournament buildup, as it featured the host nation, a soccer powerhouse who no one could predict what form they would be in, and two ambitious Hispanic forces, who play with the best at any time in competitive fashion like they are the best.

In the opening match of the tournament, Mexico exhibited that desire to make a big step in this Copa Mundial, putting the Bafana Bafana on the backfoot from the outset. Only the great goalkeeping of young Itumeleng Thune and lack of finishing kept "El Tren" from running rampant. But South Africa shown brighter in the 2nd half, and Siphiwe Tshabalala's terrific left foot strike brought the tournament and the nation of Mandela to life.

Luckily for Mexico, what was to be a telling moment in this group's conclusion came after the shock of giving up Tshabalala massive shot, as Rafael Marquez's timely header played onside by disappointing captain Aaron Mokoena gave Mexico a precious equalizer to get out of the opener with a needed point in a 1-1 result.

The same end result came in the 2nd match of the group, though in different means. With Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez playing conservative, the talented but lethargic France side continued their long goal drought by being unable to break down a structured and sound defense of the organized South American side. And the Uruguayans could have even won the match, had the normally sharp Diego Forlan not fire a clear opportunity that is normally pure red meat for him.

The scoreless draw in the group's 2nd match meant all teams were level by one point, and that the drama would only build.

The group had its major turning point in the third match, as South Africa and Uruguay both were desperate to get a massive three points when they encountered each other on June 16. But it clearly seemed that Uruguay wanted the maximum points and not the Bafana, as Tabarez brought in Edison Cavini to partner Luis Suarez and place Forlan into the playmaker role.

As Carlos Alberto Parreira chose to keep his side in a 4-4-1-1 with Thiago Mphela left all alone up top, Uruguay controlled the midfield through Forlan, as his fierce deflected shot off the back of Mokoena went into the net and set the tempo for a big night for the CONMEBOL outfit.

As South Africa showed nothing in attack (and no desire weirdly enough from Parreira to alter that) Uruguay got a penalty in the box in the latter stages of the 2nd half that saw the impressive Thune get sent off with a red card. Up stepped Forlan, and the Atletico Madrid man added his 2nd of the evening to fully secure an enormous result for his nation. But the 3rd goal allowed by South African, scored on a back post header by Alberto Parreira, will be the goal targeted as the one that doomed the host nation's chances at progressing the most.

With Uruguay's 3-0 win, a lot of pressure was placed on Mexico and France shoulders, with a lose by either side be a devastating blow to their chances of advancing. The heat was on both managers, but one only one was able to stay cool amongst the invisible conflagration. And it was clearly Javier Aguirre, whose side had the better chances in the 1st half, and converted those massive opportunities in the 2nd half.

Javier Hernandez showed why he is headed to Manchester United, cooly beating the French offsides trap, and deftly skating past Hugo Lloris to tap in for a massive 1-0 goal lead. And from the youngest to the oldest for Mexico, as the ageless Chautemoc Blanco came off the bench and converted a penalty created by Pablo Barrera's smooth play, as the Pumas UNAM man was fouled in the box by Eric Abidal. Blanco slotted it past Lloris, and Raymond Domenech's popularity rating in France reached an even new nadir. 2-0 to Mexico, a telling moment in Group A, and the beginning of the French soccer team's "Waterloo."

The turmoil with "Team France" almost lead to them almost being renamed "No Team France", but after all of the disarray, infighting, sending home of Nicolas Anelka, and vowed to restore French pride, Les Blues rounded out their final group as the team that could somehow give South America a miracle of a lifetime and pull them through to the 2nd round.

In order for that to happen through, the Bafana also needed Uruguay and Mexico to beat each other, preferably Uruguay to win, and that is what transpired. Luis Suarez headed goal off a wonderful cross from Cavini gave South Africa's hope, as the host nation went up 2-0 in the 1st half over Les Blues, who had turned into "The Blues" in such a short period of time. Yohan Goucruff, the speculated "snitch" as Patric Evra has dubbed the one who leaked Anelka's spat with Domenech, sent off with a high elbow, France down to 10 men, and South Africa just two goals between Mexico on precious goal difference at halftime of both games.

But the miracle wasn't to be the case. Mphela's hot of the bar would have made it 3-0, but after that golden chance gone, France started to really exhibit pride. With Thierry Henry coming on for possibly the last time ever for his disgraced team, Frank Ribery showed terrific pride and deliver a ball that Florent Malouda could not miss. 2-1 was the score, and South African hopes for a miracle like few other had suffered a telling blow.

The host nation were able to hold onto the lead for the win, three points along with restored pride for their country. France, a pathetic 1 point with 1 goal to show for as they await a bunch of anger supporters back home (including the President Sarkozy).

But South Africa become the first tournament host to not advance to the knockout stages, knocked out mainly because of their tepid display to Uruguay.

And speaking of that side, the CONMEBOL side top their group at 7 points, leaving their nervous and disappointing rivals Mexico with 4 points an a likely rematch with Argentina at the same stage they were dispatched by in a classic extra time encounter.

And that folks is your full, wonderful story of Group A, at the FIFA World Cup 2010.

The Full Archive of today's results
Luis Suarez shows his his goalscoring record is not for bunk, as Uruguay top Group A with a 1-0 win over a mexico team who played more nervous as the match progressed. But their fears of being eliminated out of the Cup were quelled when Florent Malouda scored a "Save something for pride" goal for France, basically ending the host South Africa's chance at a glorious miracle despite their 2-1 win.

Man of the Match for South Africa-France was Mphela, who almost scored a chance to really make Mexico fans even more nervous than they were:

And the Man of the Match for Uruguay-Mexico was Suarez, the lone goalscorer in that match.

Oh, look at what Domenech did now! He didn't even what to shake Parreira's hand. This guy will be sadly missed:

More to come.

The Finale Day Match Archives in Group A:

The Lineups for Mexico and Uruguay. No conservative approaches for Uruguay, they keep Forland as the playmaker as Cavini stays in. But for Mexico, Guardado and not Barrera comes in the lineup for Juarez.
Mexico: Perez, Rodriguez, Salcido, Marquez, Osorio, Torrado, Franco, Blanco, Moreno, Gio Dos Santos, Guardado

Uruguay: Muslera, Lugano, Fucile, Victorino, Cavani, Suarez, Forlan, A Pereira, M Pereira, Perez, Arevalo Rios

Now for South Africa and the disarray that is France, with Evra dropped as both captain and left back, along with Abidal, Malouda, and Govou. Surprising, Ribery stays in after it all.

Meanwhile, Parreira plays the damn lineup he should have played against Uruguay.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Squillaci, Clichy, Ribery, Diaby, Diarra (who is the captain), Goucruff, Gignac, Cisse

South Africa: Josephs, Masilela, Khumalo, Mokoena, Ngcongca, Sibaya, Khuboni, Pienaar, Tshabalala,MPhela, Parker

Half time analysis:
Well, talk about a wild, WILD start folks.

Talk about a harsh red card on Goucruff, but it maybe fitting that he got sent off since he is the snitch. And where was Rodriguez on that back post against Suarez? Awful defending folks. Just awful.

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