2010 World Cup: South Africa v Uruguay half time report
South Africa 0 Uruguay 1
It has taken until the first game of the second round of group stages for the shackles of conservative football to be released. An entertaining first half between Uruguay and South Africa was lit up with a contender for goal of the tournament from Diego Forlan.
Picking the ball up from 30 yards out, Forlan quieted the argument that top players were having problems striking the World Cup ball by planting an absolute rocket of a strike past Itumeleng Khune in the South African goal. The ball did seem to take a slight deflection as it flew in off the crossbar, but take nothing away from the former Manchester United striker, this was a moment of genius.
Before the goal Uruguay had been the better side and should have taken the lead before Forlan’s wonder strike. Luis Suarez had gone close twice. Firstly, nutmeging Aaron Mokoena before firing into the side setting, then finding space on the edge of the box before once again s******g his shot wide.
South Africa have struggled to get in the game, with key man Steven Pienaar anonymous for the second game running. The best they could offer was a couple of long range efforts Siphiwe Tshabalala, but the half belonged to Uruguay and Forlan’s incredible goal.
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