South Africa vs. Mexico

9:45 a.m. (all times EST) The match is set to begin at 10 a.m... right now, ESPN is showing a preview of USA-England (which Chris Fowler indicated was a "glitch"-- nice start).

Bafana Bafana has the weight of a nation on its shoulders today and I'm looking for them to attack early and often.

Here's to another brilliant call from Martin Tyler... Happy World Cup 2010! (insert first World Cup on Facebook promo). Stay tuned to this post for live updates.

9:56 a.m. Great scene with the FIFA brass, RSA President and clubs opening up the Cup with a prayer for Nelson Mandela (who lost his 13-year-old great granddaughter today).

10 a.m. South Africa's starters are made up of eight from their local premier league and three from England's... interesting. Mexico No. 9 Guillermo Franco is the man to look out for.

10:06 a.m. As Tyler just pointed out, watch for Mexico's No. 3 Carlos Salcido to make plenty of runs from the left back spot as he just did in the first possession.

10:08 a.m. A few sloppy touches in defense from Bafana Bafana early, including one that forced a clearance off the 6-yard box. I've been very impressed with the pace of Mexico's wings.

10:12 a.m. Mexico is certainly smaller in the back four. I think it's important for South Africa to get build up and force a couple set pieces (now Tyler mentions the game vs. England at Wembley). That's where Mexico is weak. All of the excitement has been on Mexico's offensive third so far.

10:14 a.m. Great stat after eight minutes... Mexico has a 2-nil lead in shots and 81 percent of the possession. WOW.

10:18 a.m. As much as Mexico has dominated in the early going, their outside backs are sliding way too far up the field. They will be extremely vulnerable to counter-attacks. If I'm South Africa, I play a little kick and run.

10:19 a.m. As I said, there's Franco to head a corner over the bar. He was unmarked eight yards out. That can't happen.

10:21 a.m. Phenomenal give and go from Bafana Bafana... free kick 35 yards out dead on.

10:22 a.m. As expected, Steve Pienaar takes the set piece and it's about 6 yards over the bar... blatant mis-strike.

10:23 a.m. Mexico's Efrain Juarez draws the first yellow card of the World Cup at 17 minutes in on a delay of game... interesting call. Somehow, it results in Giovani Dos Santos collecting a terrible pass and going all the way down the field with it to miss an opportunity from 30 yards out just wide.

10:26 a.m. Still 0-0 as we approach the midpoint of the first half. Mexico is starting to see South Africa get a pep in its step and is attempting to slow the pace down a bit. Mexico's Oscar Perez is tested between the pipes for the first time today at the 23rd minute. A cross through the mouth of the six is knocked down and collected.

10:30 a.m. Stats at the halfway mark... Mexico up 4-2 in shots, 2-0 in corner kicks and 65 percent of the possession. Seven fouls for the Mexican side to five for RSA.

10:32 a.m. South Africa's Kagisho Dikgacoi is booked in the 27th for pulling Dos Santos down from behind... one yellow per side and the subsequent free kick is well high (a theme so far).

10:35 a.m. Intriguing observation... about 14 of the 22 players on the pitch have been wandering within a 30-yard area (near midfield). A couple defenders are hanging back with a designated attacker for the most part... not a lot of structure on either side.

10:37 a.m. Phenomenal jumping save off the forearm by Itumeleng Khune... turning away Franco on an overlaping run in the 33rd... a legitimate opportunity there.

10:39 a.m. Mexico's forwards are trying to adjust Khune's hips to the wing on every run through. Each pass has been across the 6-yard box and forced him to dive to cut off the lanes. I'm waiting for one of them to have one at the top corners... nothing yet in the 35th.

10:43 a.m. Goal disallowed on a corner kick offsides for Mexico... replay shows there was a defender on the goalline... bad call.

10:45 a.m. Another good set piece results in a header for Franco from 10 yards out and again and he doesn't direct it downward. Mexico should be up 3-nil but it's 0-0 in the 41st.

10:47 a.m. South Africa gets a series of corners but cannot capitalize on Mexico's issues in back. This is the best offensive stretch for them yet. They're not clinging for life heading into half... they are on the attack.

10:50 a.m. Clean first half... just one added minute. Mexico is content to hold onto it at midfield despite the fact that they should be up. And we have reached the half... 0-0. Back in a few minutes.

11:06 a.m. Dog is walked. Back for the 2nd half... South Africa is lowest ranked host nation in World Cup history. And we're underway again... one sub for RSA Tsepo Masilela (plays in Israel into one of the back positions). The stadium is packed, great atmosphere.

11:13 a.m. The first six minutes of the second half has been filled with a lack of control, the ball being thrown around via headers and one or two solid counters. Otherwise, not much in it. 0-0 in the 52nd.

11:15 a.m. I'm impressed by South Africa's use of the back-heel. It has allowed them to get off the bogged-up wings and into some dangerous territory for the Mexican defense just outside the 18. And as we say that, a brilliant strike off a thru ball to Siphiwe Tshabalala makes it 1-0 RSA. Lefty shot into the top-right corner... unstoppable. And Martin Tyler goes nuts with the name. Bafana Bafana up 1-nil in the 55th!

11:19 a.m. 83rd-ranked nation leads a Top 20 one... wow. First goal on African soil in the World Cup and another Mexican caution to show the frustration. I'm still in awe of that shot.

11:22 a.m. Great diving save by Khune to preserve the clean sheet in the 60th. There is electricity in the building.

11:26 a.m. 65th minute here. Promo for Group C match between USA and England tomorrow at 2:30 EST. Mexico is stunned... outshooting South Africa 10-4 with 63 percent of the possession. One great pass and a better shot are the only difference.

11:31 a.m. This isn't the Mexican soccer that has troubled the U.S. so much over the years. Perez makes a great sliding save, but this defense is so flimsy right now. It usually starts in the back for them, but not today. 0-0 as we hit the 70th with a caution on the RSA sub Masilela.

11:34 a.m. Not sure I agree with Mexico's sub in the 73rd... Javier Hernandez inserted for Franco. Taking away the man who created the only chances.

11:37 a.m. South Africa is dictating the game now. Tshabalala has forced Mexico to take risks now and it's playing right into Bafana Bafana's needs. 1-nil in the 77th, crunch time for Mexico in such an even group.

11:40 a.m. Crushing for South Africa... Rafael Marquez wide open on a cross in the 79th. Basically waited with the ball and picked a corner to tie it at 1-1.

11:43 a.m. Both goals in the second half... not surprising considering the nerves of the first 45 minutes of a World Cup. Another 10 or so minutes to go or we're looking at a draw in the initial match.

11:48 a.m. Mexico wastes a few chances off set pieces outside the box. At this point, South Africa is playing kick and run to try to get a result out of this. One point would be a disappointment after taking the lead, but they would have taken that this morning.

11:51 a.m. Katlego Mphela hits the post on a break-out in the 89th minute... what a chance. 3 minutes of extra time. Came off his shin and spun out on him.

11:54 a.m. South Africa was deep in Mexico's half but now the ball is being knocked around in the middle of the pitch. I think we're bound for a draw here in game #1. And there's the whistle. 1-1 is the final score between Mexico and South Africa. Khune looks devastated but they should be happy and go on to taking on France and Uruguay. 13 games unbeaten for Bafana Bafana.

Enjoy the rest of the games! GO USA tomorrow!

The World Cup

We're going to try to get this blog active again.

The 2010 World Cup starts tomorrow and some sort of posting is in order.

Talk to you in the A.M.