Ithumeleng Kune - Red Card Woe
Bafana Bafana vs Uruguay ended in a 0 – 3 to South Americans in an icy cold Pretoria last night with Diego Forlan and his strike partner Luis Suarez emerging as heroes.
When Switzerland beat Spain yesterday afternoon, it should have been a sign that the soccer gods were in an upside down mood. And on a freezing cold night at Loftus Versveld in South Africa’s Capital City, Bafana Bafana were taught a soccer lesson.
Maybe it is just Loftus Versveld. I mean the buys in blue jerseys always win there; or maybe Bafana Bafana had started getting a bit windgat after too many wins against muppets (Ok, Denmark was a REAL win).
Bafana Bafana vs Uruguay
The fact of the matter is that Uruguay ended the game 3-0 up thanks to second-half goals by Diego Forlan and Alvaro Pereira, Forlan having put them 1-0 up in the first half.
The South Americans were on the offensive from the start. And their pressure game paid off when one looks at the score line and the fact that the South Africans played most of the match in their own half.
Ithumeleng Khune’s Red Card
The Ref – well he often looked like he was on the side of Uruguay. I know the red carding of Ithumeleng Khune was technically by “the rulez” but it was so clear that the Bafana stopper has no intent to foul and that the Uruguayan was way offside.
According to soccerladuma.co.za to earn a red card a player must commit a dangerous tackle or a “professional” foul, which is defined as a deliberate foul committed as a last-ditch tactic to prevent an opponent from scoring.
As Khune’s challenge was not a dangerous one, the referee must have judged the ‘keeper to have tripped Suarez in order to prevent him from scoring.
The Kaizer Chiefs stopper was given his marching orders for a last-man challenge on striker Luis Suarez, with the resulting penalty converted by Diego Forlan to put the game out of South Africa’s reach, reports football.365.co.za
Replays have shown that the linesman should have flagged for offside before the foul and Khune said: “I am disappointed, but there is nothing I can do.
When Khune left the field in tears, I wanted to cry with him, because the red card also means that he will have to miss the next game.
They Boyz Weren’t on Good Form
The substitution after Khune’s dismissal was a great time for the coach to take of Teko Modise, but he took off Steven Pienaar (not much of a loss last night).
By putting Kagisho Dikgacoi on in the starting line up with a yellow card already, Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira knew he was taking a chance. The robust Dikgacoi predictably got another yellow and is also out for the next match along with Khune.
AS for the rest of the team – I have seldom seen such a lackluster, unenergetic performance. Pienaar hardly moved; even the very busy Shabalala was quiet, and poor Killer Mhpele, playing all on his own up front against a very physical Uruguayan defense was shut down every time.
Coach Must Make Changes
Maybe Coach CAP is a bit rigid with his team selection and should take out Teko Modise. Modise is really not getting any better. Why not take a chance on old timer, Siyabonga Nomvete? Remember, Nomvete wrote his name into the history books as he scored the goal that gave South Africa their first-ever win in the World Cup finals, against Slovenia in Daegu, South Korea. He also scored a goal against Sweden to help Bafana Bafana beat European opposition for the first time.
It could be a good idea to play Pienaar just for one-half before bringing on Bernard Parker.
Bafana needs Playmakers
Bafana Bafana need firepower – they need players up front who will keep moving forward- keep the ball in front of them and keep making shots at goal. Nomvete, Parker and Mphela will make things happen.
Hanging out in your own half, kicking the ball to your teammates is no way to win a match.
Confident Uruguay
The more listless Bafana got, the more confident Uruguay became.
Uruguay’s victory over South Africa has completely changed the perspective of Maestro Tabarez’s regarding their future in the competition. A loose victory 3-0 embedded the players with a new spirit that will be determinant to face their Mexican brothers next week.
As I said in the preview to Bafana Bafana vs Uruguay: “For Uruguay, the key player is Diego Forlan, as the Atletico Madrid star remains their most dangerous striker and the focal point of their attack. If he’s on his game, then it could be a rough time for Bafana Bafana.”
“Sure there are stronger teams than us, but I’m confident we can beat anyone,” declared the Uruguayan coach after the triumph. Uruguay gained not only in numbers, but also in attitude. On minute 75 Luis Suarez managed to get through Bafana’s defense.
France vs Mexico – Let’s hope for a Draw
If France and Mexico end their game in a draw, then all Tabarez’s squad will need is one point to secure their future in the competition. Positioning Diego Forlan as the architect of Uruguay’s creation was a right call by Maestro Tabarez.
Image: Ithumeleng Khune football365.co.za
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