Tuesday 22 June 2010

MEX v URU (1500 GMT)

22/06/2010 Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg Ref: Viktor Kassai (HUN) Att: 33425

Starting Line up
Mexico: 1-Oscar Perez; 5-Ricardo Osorio, 15-Hector Moreno (Castro, 57 (Y)), 2-Francisco Rodriguez, 3-Carlos Salcido, 18-Andres Guardado (Barrera, 46), 4-Rafael Marquez, 6-Gerardo Torrado, 17-Giovani Dos Santos, 9-Guillermo Franco, 10-Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Hernandez, 63 (Y)).
Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 6-Mauricio Victorino, 4-Jorge Fucile (Y), 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 11-Alvaro Pereira (Scotti, 76), 9-Luis Suarez (A. Fernandez, 85), 10-Diego Forlan.

Having known draw will send both side through to the second round, I really could not careless about this match and considering how poor South Africa were against Uruguay, Mexican's qualification to next round seemed to be guaranteed, certainly starting 37 year-old veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco shows their attitude towards this match.

However, the match was quite entertaining as they played some thrilling attacking football. With Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan continuously threatened Mexican defence, Mexico also pressured Uruguayan defence with Andres Guardado and Giovani Dos Santos. The closest Mexican came to score was in 23rd minute when Guardado took a shot from 40 yard out. Unfortunately his effort only found top of bar and game went on with no in particular in possession. Just before the half time, however, Uruguay had their golden chance, when Edinson Cavani's cross found Luis Suarez in the box. No Mexican defenders marked him and Suarez's header found back of Mexican net. 1-0 and it was the end of the first half. HT: 0-1


Second half, Mexico became more urgent, as they heard the news of South Africa leading France by 2-0. However, Mexico were somewhat less organised than last match against France and with continuous misplacing pass and wrong shot-selection, they struggled to break Uruguayan defence. Even when the chance came to Francisco Rodriguez, his head couldn't direct the ball to their net. Fortunately, France scored in the second half and it meant Mexico didn't need to risk to attack and after meaningless contest, it was Uruguay that finished first in the group, avoiding probable Group B winner Argentina. FT: 0-1


No comments: