Spain 1 – 0 Iraq
After putting 5 past New Zealand on Sunday, one expected Spain to continue where they left off against the Iraqi team, but in fact even after making 4 changes to their starting line up, the Spanish side looked rather fatigued and couldn’t easily penetrate the Iraqi defense.
It took Spain 52 minutes to score against their opponents as David Villa grabbed his second goal of the tournament while at the same time making it Spain’s 14th straight win, equaling Italy’s record of 14 consecutive wins.
Torres and Xabi Alonso had their chances in the game but couldn’t convert in front of a packed Iraq defense.
Iraq will probably get 9/10 for their defending; but unfortunately you have to score goal to win games.
South Africa 2 – 0 New Zealand
After a disappointing start to the tournament in a match against Iraq at the Ellis Park Stadium on Sunday, Bafana Bafana and their coach Santana were out to prove a point against the ‘All Whites’ as the New Zealand national team is known.
Before the game Santana was quoted saying: “WE WILL WIN” and God did he deliver!
To cut the long story short, Bafana dominated the game entirely and the ‘All Whites’ were nowhere to be found. For about 90% of the time, the all whites found themselves chasing the shadows of Pienaar, Modise and Masilela. The later created both goals which were converted by Bernard Parker who surely made amends for his mistake on Sunday. The coach showed faith and him and he delivered a brace! That’s how it should be done.
Again Itumeleng Khune was not tested as play was entirely on the New Zealanders’ half with key men Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise causing all the havoc.
Tsepo Masilela had a brilliant game down the left side and the late introduction of Simphiwe Tshabalala certainly didn’t disappoint as more chances were created then. Unfortunately Katlego Mashego forgot his scoring boots at Mayfair (Orlando Pirates headquarters) as he squandered numerous one on one situations with the keeper which could have taken the score line to 4 or 5 goals for South Africa.
Anyway, no use crying over spilt milk, good thing is Bafana won and they did it in style.
Well done Bafana, you made us all proud in South Africa.
Now bring on the Champions of Europe.
Check all the fixtures here
June 18th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Congratulations to South Africa!!!
Even though New Zealand isn’t a team to be feared but we should consider that in our days all teams are dangerous… But South Africa assumed their position and the host nation and split New Zealand in 2 pieces.
It was a nice game to watch!!! By the way it is a second time that South Africa win a match in a competition organized by FIFA, this is very important for the team experience of BAFANA BAFANA.
I will support South Africa to qualify to the next round, though you will have to face Spain and Egypt will face the powerless New Zealand, let’s see what happen, but any way South Africa deserves this qualification, for 2 reason:
1. The uncondicional supporter..
2. The team is growing along these months. (A defeat could rise crises)
I think Mashego can give trouble to Spain defenders, he lost many oportunities, but he created them the guy he replaced didn’t do much. By the way Mashego had 2 offsides wrongly pointed, he could have scored, I never saw him playing and he surprised me.
But, we should not convince ourselves that our next game will be easy, it won’t be. But I hope our boys do a nice job, it is in their hands, ops!!! “their feet”
Bring on!!!!!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:20 am
@Vander,
Very true notion about Mashego you make there – All I said after the game was – Hard Luck Mashego, we all know he’s lethal and on another day he’d easily score those opportunities – and you are very right when u say he created the opportunities – the only reason he missed so much was because he made excellent runs to the box, I bet you if he can start ahead of Fanteni on Saturday, he could give Spain defenders headaches with his left foot.
I like him playing as a supporting striker, Parker can play the killer role in the box