BAFANA HELD BY MEXICO
South Africa and Mexico drew the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup 1-1 at Soccer City, though both coaches might be rueing not picking up all three Group A points.
The home side opened the scoring thanks to a wonderful goal from Man of the Match Siphiwe Tshabalala, before Mexico skipper Rafael Marquez equalised with 11 minutes left.
Mexico were almost gifted the perfect start when Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune spilled a cross from the right right into the path of Giovani dos Santos, but Aaron Mokoena was on hand to make a vital block from just six-yards out.
A mistake from Modise allowed Giovanni dos Santos a run on goal, but he fired wide from just outside the penalty-area, while Khune made an excellent point-blank save from Franco from six-yards out.
Vela might have done better to slip in Dos Santos just a few minute later as he found acres of space on the right, while Bongano Khumalo deflected a Dos Santos shot just over the bar.
From the corner, Mexico thought they had scored, but Vela was in an offside position, despite a Bafana defender on the line, as Khune was also ahead of the ball having failed to collect the delivery.
Franco had another headed chance as the opportunities began to mount for Mexico as halftime approached, while Bafana were starved of possession and unable to get their foot on the ball.
But Mphela was inches away from the opener as he just failed to connect with Tshabalala's cross, while Dikgacoi headed wide from a corner delivery to the back post.
Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made a change at the break, bringing on Tsepo Masilela for Lucas Thwala in the left-back position, and South Africa were ahead within 10 minutes of the restart.
Tshabalala was set free down the left-hand side by an inch-perfect ball from Kagisho Dikgacoi and his thunderous left-foot shot gave Oscar Perez in the Mexican goal no chance.
Khune was forced into an excellent near-post save by Dos Santos, while Modise shot wide when he should have found the back of the net, but was flagged for offside in any event.
Modise had another great opportunity to double the score when he was put through by Gaxa, but Perez saved at his feet and was able to clear. Modise appealed for a foul by the defender, but nothing was given.
Mexico were back on level terms on 79 minutes when skipper Marquez beat the offside trap after being given acres of space to pick his spot at the back post.
Javier Hernandez had a late headed chance that he put over, but the best chance fell to Mphela, who raced onto a long through-ball, but struck the post with his low shot.
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