World Cup 2010 South Africa: End of Second Round June 29th

PAR 0:0 JPN - And now for something completely different...instead of a match analysis, let my match notes be a primer for those who think a 0:0 draw is a listless unexciting thing to watch:

Lucas PAR stopped point-blank by Kawashima, rebound scrambled away 20’

Matsui JPN hits the bar on 22’

Santa Cruz PAR mashes one wide from a corner on 29’

Honda JPN blasts wide on 40’

South American sides 14-0 v. Asia in World Cup

Tulio JPN heads wide on 63’

Lucas PAR heads to the goalkeeper with pace on 95’

97’ Valdez PAR stopped point-blank by Kawashima

99’ Honda’s JPN free kick beaten away by Villar PAR

101’ Barreto PAR chips over his own head and just over JPN goal

Penalties-
PAR - Barreto - Made
JPN - Endo - Made
PAR - Lucas - Made
JPN - Hasebe - Made
PAR - Riveros - Made
JPN - Komano - Missed, smashed off of the crossbar
PAR - Valdez - Made
JPN - Honda - Made
PAR - Cardozo - Made
(Paraguay advance to quarter-finals 5:3 on penalties)

ESP 1:0 POR - Spain dominated Portugal in Cape Town, keeping the bulk of possession and having the lion’s share of the better chances. Too much for Portugal to handle, Spain advance to the quarter-finals on a 63rd minute David Villa goal. Credit to Portuguese ‘keeper Eduardo for keeping 9 of Spain’s 10 chances out.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: RSA 1:1 MEX

A good match, and a fair result. What more could you ask for from an opening World Cup match. Mexico dominated possession in the first half but were unable to cash in on the scoring opportunities they had created through Dos Santos, Aguilar, Franco, and Vela. For South Africa the second half was their time. After finally settling in a bit at the end of the first half, the trend continued for South Africa in the second. Through skill from Pienaar, Mphela, and Tshabalala with goalkeeper Khune keeping them in the match South Africa was better at holding the ball and executed some nifty counterattacks with pace culminating with the goal taken by Tshabalala at a dead run on 55 minutes. South Africa would hold the lead until late, despite continuous fierce effort on the part of Mexico to level. The Tricolores would see results from their efforts in the 79th minute, when a rebound from a shot fell to the feet of Marquez who took his chance with dispatch. Mphela would come close for South Africa hitting the post on yet another counter, but victory for the host nation wasn’t in the cards today. Mexico saved face for CONCACAF and South Africa earned a bit more respect for the Confederation of African Football. Both sides with something to show for their efforts, they each earn a point in the Group A standings.