World Cup Soccer 2010: Uruguay vs. South Africa - Fan Reactions
A massive turn out chanting for the home team, and an extraordinary atmosphere, bustling with the vuvuzela’s soundtrack did little to inspire the home team, as South Africa crashed to a 0-3 defeat at the hands of two time world champions Uruguay in Pretoria.
The hosts, who are also dubbed as the ‘Bafana Bafana’ meaning boys, were clearly treated as kindergarten boys against the South American men who toyed with their defence, slamming three goals in a crushing win.
The South American team were indebted to their star striker Diego Forlan who scored twice to lead his team to a thumping win.
Thousands of passionate home fans watched their team tumble to a defeat at an official fan zone in Johannesburg's township of Soweto.
The football fans in the area covered to the fan zone well before the start of play and waved flags and blew on their vuvuzela’s creating a party like atmosphere as they hoped for a miracle to happen, despite temperatures in the city dropping to near freezing.
The fans were confident that their team would build onto its draw against the Mexicans in the opening match. However, it was unfortunate for the home team as it was hardly the case. The floodgates opened against the South African goal as Uruguay slammed three goals to knock the stuffing out of the ‘Bafana Bafana’.
"I think the boys played well but it's just unfortunate that we had to get a red card for our goalkeeper, and we haven't got any goals, so we'll see how it goes against France. We can only hope for a win. You know it's only hope left now," said one of the fans at Soweto.
After conceding two goals, the home fans were hoping against hope for a goal of their own, yet their hopes faded away when Uruguay scored a third late goal sparking a mass exodus of fans from the stadium.
"Today we didn't show any competition, we just proved our spirit, that's all. No competition, all the forces were coming at South Africa, we didn't show anything, beaten 3-0 it's terrible, it's terrible, that's all I can say," said one fan.
Progression to the second round will now be a very difficult task for the host team as they stand on the verge of ignominy of becoming the first host nation, to crash out in the first round of a football World Cup.
Meanwhile, there was plenty to smile about in Uruguay, as Forlan’s twin strike led the national team to a stylish 3-0 win.
Forlan netted the opening goal in the 24th minute of the match before converting a controversial 80th minute penalty. The penalty came as a result of home keeper Itumeleng Khune being sent off after he was ruled to have brought down Luis Suarez as he was about to go for glory.
"We have Forlan that made a tremendous goal. Afterwards the game opened up after the penalty, but it wasn't easy to win," said a Uruguay fan.
The win was their first in 20 years in a world cup, and the two time champions had every reason to smile.
"Imagine how happy we are, I came with my son from so far away, and we are a step away from the next round," said one fan Gabriel Becker.
The South Americans who have started the tournament brilliantly with a draw against France, and the win last night are the favourites to qualify for the next round from group A.
They have four points from two games while South Africa has only a single point to show for their efforts thus far, in the last match of the day, today France and Mexico, face each other.
The games will be played in Polokwane and the winner would have a very good chance of cementing a spot in the second round of the competition.
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