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South Africa 0-3 Uruguay: Hosts Outclassed By Forlan-Inspired Celeste
Uruguay cruised to an easy victory over the listless hosts...
Jun 16, 2010 9:45:00 PM
By Gary Niblock
On National Youth Day in South Africa, it was an experienced old-head in Diego Forlan whose virtuoso display left South Africa clinging onto their World Cup hopes by the skin of their teeth.
| Bet: | Returns: | Russia £23.00 | Draw £32.00 | Uruguay £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Russia £22.00 | Draw £30.00 | Uruguay £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Russia £22.00 | Draw £32.00 | Uruguay £32.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Russia £23.80 | Draw £32.50 | Uruguay £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Russia £23.00 | Draw £32.00 | Uruguay £28.50 |
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A brace from the Atletico Madrid man and a late Alvaro Pereira goal gave the Uruguayans a much deserved victory over the lacklustre Bafana.
Uruguay had the first chance of the match when Forlan and Luis Suarez linked up however the angle was too tight for the Ajax striker and he sliced his effort harmlessly wide. Oscar Tabarez clearly sent his side out to make a more concerted effort to be positive in the knowledge that a win would all but see Uruguay in the second round.
South Africa for their part were more wasteful in the opening exchanges with the understandably confident winger Siphiwe Tshabalala guilty of getting a little too carried away with his shooting prowess. Lacking in the fluency they had found as their opening match against Mexico had wore on, set-pieces offered a chance to endanger the Uruguayan goal however Bafana Bafana failed to capitalise.
Luis Suarez gave a glimpse of his ability in tight spaces when he turned on a sixpence to outfox Bongani Khumalo before unleashing a ferocious shot which stung the palms of Itumeleng Khune in the home goal.
La Celeste took the lead halfway through the first half when Diego Forlan smashed the ball past Khune with the aid of a deflection via the upper body of the unfortunate Aaron Mokoena who was desperately trying to close the dangerman down. However Khune had a point when berating his defence for allowing Forlan enough room, given the striker's deadly ability from distance.
Uruguay continued to have the upper hand and Suarez fired into the side-netting from a tight angle. South Africa created few chances but Teko Modise did cross in for Katlego Mphela who nodded wide under lax pressure from Diego Godin.
After the break, South Africa came under more pressure. After a Mokoena slip, Edinson Cavani found Suarez in the box but the solid left-back Tsepo Masilela just about snuffed out the danger. Suarez tortured Khumalo throughout and looked to claim a penalty when pulled down by the centre-back on the edge of the box. Refusing to bow to Uruguayan pressure, Massimo Busacca showed why he is one of the best officials in the world as replays indicated that the initial contact was outside the area.
The hosts were largely pinned back in their own half though Mphela did give the vuvuzela blowers reason to burst into chorus when he flicked a near post header just wide with Fernando Muslera committed. That was to be as good as it got for the toothless South Africans.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when they had 'keeper Khune dismissed for bringing down Luis Suarez with a trailing left foot which left Busacca no other option.
Replacement goalie Moneeb Josephs faced Forlan however he was powerless to save a simply unstoppable penalty. The icing on the cake came with seconds remaining when Alvaro Pereira nodded in from a pinpoint Suarez cross.
South Africa can have few complaints with the scoreline as despite the fervent home support they were simply outclassed by a far superior side.
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