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South Africa vs Uruguay - FIFA World Cup 2010 Report

Matias Vulej, June 16 2010,
After a difficult beginning Uruguay gave the hosts a taste of what their football is all about. Diego Forlan is the top striker of this competition, if only for the moment, and goal difference might prove decisive to claim Celeste's ticket to the next stage.

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Uruguay's victory over South Africa has completely changed the perspective of Maestro Tabarez's regarding their future in the competition. A loose victory 3-0 embedded the players with a new spirit that will be determinant to face their Mexican brothers next week. Reaching the stage of sixteen with their goal intact will be a second goal for the Celestes, confident this will be Uruguay's return to the most challenging football of the world. The Bafana Bafana, with one foot outside their own land will have a test of fire against the Gallic warriors.

 

90 minutes of great football completely changed the face of the Uruguayan squad, as the loneliness of the top gave a clearer perspective of what their future will be like: If France and Mexico end their game in a draw, then all Tabarez's squad will need is one point to secure their future in the competition. Positioning Diego Forlan as the architect of Uruguay's creation was a right call by Maestro Tabarez, as the first two goals of the match clearly showed. 20 years after their last World triumph, a new era is promising the Celestes an important role in this competition.

Vamo' arriba la Celeste

Edison Cavani's offensive role has not been particularly determinant, though it did give Uruguay much more pressure in the last meters than against France. Luckily for the Charruas Diego Lugano did not receive his second yellow card in this match, securing captain's presence at the defining match against Mexico in the near future. Two early shots during the first five minutes showed Uruguay was going to be aggressive to bag the victory, and the hosts had no other answer than violence to stop Forlan's magic. Three consecutive free kicks (which granted Pienaar an early yellow card at the fourth minute) kept Bafana's goalkeeper busy.

A surprise element came from Jorge Fucile's offensive assistance, joining from the right side following Forlan's lead. It was made clear Tabarez has the ability to spot his own weaknesses and react on time, so everyone in the squad might have a chance within the starting eleven, for the present and day-to-day evolution is the only thing that matters now for the Maestro. It is notable that the Bafana never forced Fernando Muslera, who had a rather relaxed evening between the posts. Siphiwe Tshabalala shot on many occasions against SS Lazio's goalkeeper, but none of them reached its objective.

 "Sure there are stronger teams than us, but I'm confident we can beat anyone" declared the Uruguayan coach after the triumph. Uruguay gained not only in numbers, but also in attitude. On minute 75 Luis Suarez managed to get through Bafana's defense. Itumeleng Khune couldn't help to tackle Ajax's striker, and was sent to the rest room. Diego Forlan tested the substitute goalkeeper, who had nothing to do against one of Europe's deadly strikers. Alvaro Pereyra's delicacy in the last minute closed a marvelous and joyful evening for the Charruas.

 The sound of silence

Bafana's coach charged against the referee "he's the worst I've seen in this World Cup. I'm raging, for the penalty kick that never existed and for taking away our goalkeeper. I hope I never meet Busacca again on the field. We didn't deserve 3-0, less 1-0". South Africa's captain Aaron Mokoena is already focused in next week's French clash. The host needs to say goodbye to the cup with at least one victory, or the Vuvuzuelas will start sounding at their own shame.

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