South Africa Opens World Cup Play Against Mexico

[Socrates]

Just how many of the 88,000 spectators do you think will be from Mexico? The vuvuzela noise will be deafening. Players will not be able to hear each other. The atmosphere will be insane. Sure, Mexico is the better team. But they will be lucky to get away with a draw here.

I've watched reports on ESPN that there are an estimated 40,000 expected. I don't know how they came to these conclusions though, perhaps 2006 figures and figured there would be a pattern.

[rydaphotoguy]

I am on Mexico and Over 2 BOL

[ZXCVBNM]

Never go against the home team!

[pavyracer]

Just how many of the 88,000 spectators do you think will be from Mexico? The vuvuzela noise will be deafening. Players will not be able to hear each other. The atmosphere will be insane. Sure, Mexico is the better team. But they will be lucky to get away with a draw here.

Why would the noise benefit South Africa? Do the South African players have Superman hearing where they can talk to each other through vuvuzela sound and Mexican players can't?

[JustinBieber]

Never go against the home team!

Never make a blanket statement.

[blackbart]

i guess anything can happen, its the world cup

[Dark Horse]

Why would the noise benefit South Africa? Do the South African players have Superman hearing where they can talk to each other through vuvuzela sound and Mexican players can't?

They're used to it.

Many complaints from players during Confederations cup last year. But not from S. Africans.

Plus there's the psychological edge of Mexicans players being aware that the horrible wall of noise is somehow in support of the other team.

The vuvuzelas could play an interesting part during this WC. Undermined communication.

[Karayilan9]

Tactically Mexico play a style in which they dominate possession in the middle of the park, England had no answers for their fluid style and they can when they get it right cancel out some 4-4-2 playing teams. They stretch teams playing wide and get a defender up into the midfield to help dominate the middle of the park.

Tactically they are exciting and can be very effective but there are some SERIOUS weaknesses,

- Very poor aerial ability, are weak attacking and defending in the air, defensively they can't deal with well organized set pieces and especially teams that play a crossing game with tall front men.
- Physical weakness
- Problems finishing chances

South Africa on paper look out of their league but don't write them off so quickly, Peraira is a world cup winning manager with Brazil, he would have spotted Mexico's weaknesses and will look to exploit them. If they remain disciplined in defense and make the most of set pieces, with the backing of the home crowd and motivation of being on home soil they could get a result.

[Unicorn7]

Pleasure having you here for la copa!!..Mr K

[pavyracer]

I think the Mexicans have nothing to lose on the first game and South Africans will be under immense pressure to perform at home. I'm not buying that vuvuzela sound effect. The Mexican midfield and forwards are too fast for South African players. Mexico will score in this game. Not sure if South Africa can score a goal easily.

[ararat2010]

Latest WC shown how big is favor on a host team. South Africa ML!

[mav924]

My opinion is on Mexico to win but do not think it will be a blowout

[Dark Horse]

I think the Mexicans have nothing to lose on the first game and South Africans will be under immense pressure to perform at home. I'm not buying that vuvuzela sound effect. The Mexican midfield and forwards are too fast for South African players. Mexico will score in this game. Not sure if South Africa can score a goal easily.

Openers are normally quite boring, but this could be an exception.
I took Over 2 at -120, because these are two opportunistic sides.

[jenny04]

South Africa all the way.

[ZXCVBNM]

Mexico can't handle away games.

They were horrible in every away game in CONCACAF qualifying, even drawing to Canada in the pre-qualifying round when they needed to win!

Of course Mexico has a better team, but I haven't seen anyone use any reasoning to back it up, especially when overcoming home-field advantage is concerned.

Belize 0 Mexico 2
Jamaica 1 Mexico 0
Canada 2 Mexico 2
Honduras 1 Mexico 0
USA 2 Mexico 0
Honduras 3 Mexico 1
El Salvador 2 Mexico 1
Costa Rica 0 Mexico 3
Trinidad and Tobago 2 Mexico 2

[Socrates]

Mexico can't handle away games. They were horrible in every away game in CONCACAF qualifying, even drawing to Canada in the pre-qualifying round when they needed to win! Of course Mexico has a better team, but I haven't seen anyone use any reasoning to back it up, especially when overcoming home-field advantage is concerned.

Belize 0 Mexico 2
Jamaica 1 Mexico 0
Canada 2 Mexico 2
Honduras 1 Mexico 0
USA 2 Mexico 0
Honduras 3 Mexico 1
El Salvador 2 Mexico 1
Costa Rica 0 Mexico 3
Trinidad and Tobago 2 Mexico 2

All of the bolded games were under the Sven era. Aguirre lost his first game away, and the last game of qualifying was used a game they didn't care for since qualifying was achieved the previous week.

[jram68]

South Africa Opens world cup Play Against Mexico

All of the promotions and the hype will soon end as the 2010 FIFA World Cup finally gets underway Friday with host nation South Africa taking on Mexico in Johannesburg.

In three days, South Africa will never be the same.

The World Cup is about to make its first appearance on African soil, bringing the very best soccer players and millions of devotees from across the globe. It’s a far cry from 20 years ago, when South Africa was under white rule and Nelson Mandela had just been released from prison at age 71.



It’s hoped Mandela will be well enough to make an appearance before Friday’s opening match (10 a.m. ET, ESPN) in Johannesburg between the host nation and Mexico.

It would definitely be a boost for the South Africa players (known affectionately as the Bafana Bafana, or “The Boys”) if Mandela can be there in person. The team met the Nobel Peace Prize winner on Thursday, two days in advance of their international soccer friendly against Denmark, then they pulled off a mild upset with a 1-0 victory. South Africa was priced at +160 compared to +150 for Denmark and +225 for the draw.

“It was so emotional to see (Mandela) there and everyone was so happy,” South Africa manager Carlos Alberto Parreira told Kickoff.com after the match. “I’m sure it helps the team a lot when we play.”

Inspiration plays a huge role in sports, but as handicappers we can sometimes get lost in the numbers. Soccer is different. It is the greatest art form of all the familiar sports on our radar; goals are scarce, and success hard to measure beyond wins and losses. In the case of Tuesday’s match, the Bafana Bafana are on a 12-game undefeated streak (six wins, six draws), while Mexico went 11-5-2 in World Cup qualifying.

This is a big test for South Africa, both organizationally and on the pitch. Mexico is No. 17 in the latest FIFA world rankings (released on May 26), while the hosts have moved up from No. 90 to No. 83 and should rise even higher after their victories over Colombia (No. 35), Guatemala (No. 114) and Denmark (No. 36). But that still leaves a considerable distance between these two teams.

And yet South Africa is only a small underdog on Friday at +175 to Mexico’s +145, with the draw (through 90 minutes plus injury time) at +225. Even with South Africa’s recent performance and what’s sure to be a patriotic effort in the works, those soccer betting odds are pretty generous to the host nation. Mexico is fresh off a 2-1 win over the 2006 champions from Italy, who were trying out their 4-2-3-1 formation and clearly weren’t happy with the results.

Granted, Italy appear to be a shell of their former selves, with little fresh blood to replace their aging stars. And Mexico (nicknamed El Tri, referring to the nation’s tri-color flag) did lose 3-1 to England and 2-1 to the Netherlands the week before. However, those are World Cup contenders we’re talking about. Mexico can also boast a recent 1-0 victory over No. 18-ranked Chile.

Manager Javier Aguirre has done a fantastic job assembling this team since taking over last year from Sven-Goran Eriksson. Aguirre stepped in under similar circumstances in 2002 and guided Mexico to the Round of 16, where they lost to the United States. El Tri got a taste of revenge last year by annihilating the Americans 5-0 for the Gold Cup – their first win on U.S. soil since 1999. That victory was against what would have to be described as America’s B-Team, but since then, Mexico has clearly become the class of the CONCACAF region.

A draw would be something of a moral victory for South Africa in this matchup, and sharp handicappers are well aware of the value in taking the result nobody wants to see. A goalless draw would pay off at 11-2 on the exact score prop; so would another 1-0 victory for Mexico. May the Jabulani bounce your way on Friday.

dude, you dont have to hype the world's second biggest sporting event (behind summer Olympic games)

[CHI-TOWN ROOKIE]

The play of the the opener tomo its the OV2 (2X)MEX VS S.AFR. A lot of pressure on both squads are going to lead to lots of mistakes and both defenses are not that great , if thets not enough MEX has by far the fastest offense theyve had in more than 50yrs and they can score goals. If anyone saw the game in ENGLAND ,MEX could of easily won that game or even tied it at three as MEX missed easy goals in front of the net in the first 20mints in the match. S.AFR is no match for any of the trhee teams in this group and MEX should win but if S AFR is going to beat someone , its going to be MEX. GL2ALL

[gohabsgo]

I'm betting on Mexico here

[dtp]

mexico is not as good as you guys seem to think

[talnted]

Cant wait for the world cup to start. Single best sports spectacle in the world. Come this time of year, im glad to finally watch some interesting sports on TV, with basketball winding down. No sport comes close to this.

[psulions]

Mexico PK. South Africa bucks the trend of the host country advancing this year.

[CHI-TOWN ROOKIE]

buddy , both teams are under a lot of pressure , Mex knows thet if they lose this game , its pretty much over 4them. They need a tie minimum.And on the other hand S.AFR wants to at least tie , so look for S AFR to defend 4most of the match and just counter attack to try and take the lead and hold on 2it defending even more. I see MEX winning 3-2

[aggieshawn]

mexico

[CHI-TOWN ROOKIE]

Anyone on S. KOREA VS GREECE.

[CHI-TOWN ROOKIE]

MEX-S.AFR ov2 (2x) MEX pick(1X)money back in case of a tie ARG-NIG ov2.5(2x) other leans but not interested ; ENG-USA un 2.5, S. KOREA+.5 SERBIA m/l +105 (1x)

[juuso]

Played under 2 +108 and mexico Pick -112

1-0 or 2-0 Mexico are most likely outcomes.

[samitarian]

I love backing draws, and this opening match is a perfect opportunity to do so. a defeat will seriously damage the chances of each team, they know all 3 matches are going to be tough so it will be a cautious affair.

South Africa have a decent team, and with the home backing i think it will be quite a even match

[fuglyboy86hi]

Home win PK is the play for me

[LostBankroll]

Ended up taking Mexico 1st Half PK -110 and Margin of Victory Draw +325. Much better taking this than the Draw itself at +200 ish depending your shop. These came from BetPhoenix so I know you can find better prices out there.

[Yezzir]

Over 2.5!

[Glada Tartan]

I got draw and both team to score!

Feel pretty confident @ 1-1

[stikymess]

Small on Mexico.

[SaffaCappa]

I am in South Africa and going to 7 World Cup games
The atmosphere in this country is unreal! Vuvuzela's have been blowing since 8am this morning and almost the whole nation is wearing their Bafana Bafana shirts today! The vibe is huge! Mexico will shit themselves with the atmostphere and the noise of the Vuvuzela!!!
SA are also on a nice confidence building run, unbeaten in the last 12 games!!!
Mexico are a good side but here is an interesting stat:
The host nation has not lost the opening game in the last 7 world cups!!! FIFA knows that the progress of the host nation is a key factor in the success of the tournament ... if you into the conspiracy then SA+0.5 is the bet.

I will have a patriotic bet on SA to win at +180

Enjoy the world cup fella's - IT IS HERE!!!

[fedtpels]

think mexico steals this one. i see how homefield advantage can come into effect especially with those friggin vuvuzelas, but i see mexico coming away with it. south africas team is not that good imo.