Preview and free picks provided by EafraSoccer.com:
Per e-mail:
The hosts will look to get the fans behind them early on against a talented Mexican side.
This is it. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The 2010 world cup kicks off on Friday, and what better way to get it started with the host country, South Africa, taking on the Mexicans.
The Bafana Bafana will need to score
South Africa undoubtedly has home field advantage for the entire tournament. South Africa's roster is not too impressive and many of the players do not have the accolades to back this team going far in the tournament. Despite that, Steven Pienaar (Everton FC) will utilize his EPL experience to try and get his nation a result. Although he is not known to score goals, he has the ability to cause trouble for the Mexicans in the midfield. South Africa won't see too many goals scored this tournament, but if they are going to succeed, then they will need the young and quick talent of Bernard Parker (FC Twente). Parker has big shoes to fill as he was chosen over Benni McCarthy, South Africa's all-time leading goal scorer.
The Pre-World Cup friendlies for South Africa went pretty well, but the team's they played weren't anything special. They were able to find a second-half strike from Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns) against a pretty strong, defensive, Danish squad. Chances were very slim in this game which just goes to show that the hosts will have a tough time scoring in this tournament.
South Africa will give it all they got in their opening match, but will it be enough?
The high-flying Mexicans are in-form
Mexico will come into this game with momentum and high spirits. They have a more experienced and recognizable roster than South Africa with players like Rafael Marquez (FC Barcelona), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), and Guillermo Franco (West Ham United). Not to mention quality players such as Giovanni Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), and new Manchester United signing, Javi Hernandez. A team with such great attacking options is bound to get on the scoresheet, even against the World's top defenses. Dos Santos will act as the playmaker for this Mexican squad as he chooses just about anyone he wants to score for the Mexicans. We've already seen it in the Pre-World Cup friendlies.
Mexico's friendly schedule was much stronger than South Africa's, and yet, they still impressed. They opened up their round of friendlies with a match at Wembley Stadium against England. They lost 1-3 but don't be fooled by the scoreline. Mexico was the BETTER team in this game and don't let anyone tell you any different. They missed key chances early on that would have obviously changed the outcome of the game. After the game was over, people were more impressed with how Mexico looked than with how Crouch (England) looked. Mexico then played another good match against the Netherlands, before absolutely dominating the 2006 World Cup champions, Italy. Although the score was only 2-1, Mexico could have easily won 4/5-1. The important thing to realize is that Mexico scores goals. They scored against England, they scored against the Netherlands, and they scored twice against the Italians. They create many opportunities as they look like a team that is gelling on the field.
The verdict
With all that said, Mexico's experience and attacking talent will prove too much for the hosts, who will be backed by almost the entire stadium. Javi Hernandez will try to have an amazing tournament as he just signed for the Red Devils, and with support from Gio Dos Santos and veteran Blanco, he will succeed. I like Mexico to score at least 2 goals in this game which is why I am taking Mexico PK (DNB) as a normal play, as well as a small play on OVER 2 goals.
Per e-mail:
The hosts will look to get the fans behind them early on against a talented Mexican side.
This is it. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The 2010 world cup kicks off on Friday, and what better way to get it started with the host country, South Africa, taking on the Mexicans.
The Bafana Bafana will need to score
South Africa undoubtedly has home field advantage for the entire tournament. South Africa's roster is not too impressive and many of the players do not have the accolades to back this team going far in the tournament. Despite that, Steven Pienaar (Everton FC) will utilize his EPL experience to try and get his nation a result. Although he is not known to score goals, he has the ability to cause trouble for the Mexicans in the midfield. South Africa won't see too many goals scored this tournament, but if they are going to succeed, then they will need the young and quick talent of Bernard Parker (FC Twente). Parker has big shoes to fill as he was chosen over Benni McCarthy, South Africa's all-time leading goal scorer.
The Pre-World Cup friendlies for South Africa went pretty well, but the team's they played weren't anything special. They were able to find a second-half strike from Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns) against a pretty strong, defensive, Danish squad. Chances were very slim in this game which just goes to show that the hosts will have a tough time scoring in this tournament.
South Africa will give it all they got in their opening match, but will it be enough?
The high-flying Mexicans are in-form
Mexico will come into this game with momentum and high spirits. They have a more experienced and recognizable roster than South Africa with players like Rafael Marquez (FC Barcelona), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), and Guillermo Franco (West Ham United). Not to mention quality players such as Giovanni Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), and new Manchester United signing, Javi Hernandez. A team with such great attacking options is bound to get on the scoresheet, even against the World's top defenses. Dos Santos will act as the playmaker for this Mexican squad as he chooses just about anyone he wants to score for the Mexicans. We've already seen it in the Pre-World Cup friendlies.
Mexico's friendly schedule was much stronger than South Africa's, and yet, they still impressed. They opened up their round of friendlies with a match at Wembley Stadium against England. They lost 1-3 but don't be fooled by the scoreline. Mexico was the BETTER team in this game and don't let anyone tell you any different. They missed key chances early on that would have obviously changed the outcome of the game. After the game was over, people were more impressed with how Mexico looked than with how Crouch (England) looked. Mexico then played another good match against the Netherlands, before absolutely dominating the 2006 World Cup champions, Italy. Although the score was only 2-1, Mexico could have easily won 4/5-1. The important thing to realize is that Mexico scores goals. They scored against England, they scored against the Netherlands, and they scored twice against the Italians. They create many opportunities as they look like a team that is gelling on the field.
The verdict
With all that said, Mexico's experience and attacking talent will prove too much for the hosts, who will be backed by almost the entire stadium. Javi Hernandez will try to have an amazing tournament as he just signed for the Red Devils, and with support from Gio Dos Santos and veteran Blanco, he will succeed. I like Mexico to score at least 2 goals in this game which is why I am taking Mexico PK (DNB) as a normal play, as well as a small play on OVER 2 goals.
