Uruguay produced an assured performance to beat hosts South
Africa in Pretoria and take control of Group A.
The South Americans were much more
forward-thinking than during their nervous opening match with France
five days ago providing a constant threat to Bafana Bafana's goal while
also nullifying the meek attacking threat provided by their overwhelmed
opponents.
Diego Forlan capped an impressive
performance with two goals - the first a 30-yard deflected strike, the
second a well-taken penalty after Luis Suarez had been fouled by
goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, for which he was red carded - and Alvaro
Pereira added a late third.
The victory not only
advances Uruguay to four points and to top of the table ahead of their
final group game with Mexico, but gives them their first World Cup
finals victory since a group stage win over South Korea at Italia 90.
In contrast, this defeat is South Africa's first in 14
matches and leaves them facing an uphill task to secure a place in the
last 16.
Prior to the game, both coaches had promised
more positive approaches from their sides following conservative
showings in their opening games, which yielded them a point a piece, and
so it proved in an entertaining match that not only improved on what
Group A had offered, but what the tournament on the whole has provided
thus far.
Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
kept essentially the same side - Tsepo Masilela replaced Lucas Thwala
at left-back - and the same shape from the 1-1 draw with Mexico. Their
performance was more in keeping with their passionate second-half
display at Soccer City rather than their nervous first 45 minutes, they
were unable to pose enough of a threat to trouble their superior
opponents.
Having navigated a tricky opening game
against France relatively unscathed and knowing here lay their chance to
seize control of Group A, Uruguay opted for a three man strike force,
bringing in Edinson Cavani to partner Suarez, with Atletico Madrid's
Forlan playing in a withdrawn attacking role.
The
former Manchester United striker was the difference - dropping deep to
collect possession and influence his side's attacks and providing the
moment of individual brilliance that gave Uruguay the lead midway
through the first half via a 25-yard dipping shot that found the net via
a glancing deflection off Aaron Mokoena.
He also
demonstrated an immense level of composure to emphatically hammer his
penalty into the roof of the net following a considerable wait while the
hosts replaced Khune with substitute keeper Moneeb Josephs.
The 75th-minute penalty prompted a silent, defeated exodus
from the stands and when Forlan floated an exquisite pass to Suarez who
then crossed for Alvaro Perreira to head home Uruguay's third deep into
injury time the stadium was only half full.
For all
their disappointment, the partisan home support can have no complaints
as Oscar Tabarez's side were dominant. They set out their stall in an
opening 10 minutes that saw them create more chances than in the whole
of the 90 against the French, with Suarez's shot from a tight angle that
flew wide the best of them.
Suarez, who is so
prolific in front of goal for club side Ajax, was to squander further
chances: hitting the side-netting from a tight angle from 10 yards and
also firing straight at keeper Khune from a promising position 20 yards
out.
His strike partner Edison Cavani also missed two
good opportunities and captain Diego Lugano fluffed a header from a
Forlan free-kick early in the second half.
South
Africa's chances were significantly fewer but their wastefulness
mirrored the worst of their opponents' attempts.
Siphiwe
Tshabalala - brim full of confidence after his superb opening goal
against the Mexicans - had two good shooting chances in the opening
quarter but the first he fired over from 25 yards and the second he
badly misjudged with an attempted chip when Steven Pienaar was perhaps
better placed to receive a pass.
Katlego Mphela, who
was denied giving his side a win against Mexico by a post late on -
missed the target with a close range header in each half.
South Africa now face a final group game against France
without suspended keeper Khune, midfielder Dikgachoi, who picked up a
second yellow of the tournament, and with only slim hopes of qualifying.