2010 World Cup: Day 1

It is just past 11 PM PST. Five and a half hours separate us from the first game of Day 2.

Let's start with today's games.

South Africa v Mexico had all the makings of a good inaugural game. Maybe a few more goals would've been nice, but there were plenty of opportunities. Mexico played a better game and had most of the possession. But it just goes to show you: just because you don't have the ball and are statistically less than your opponent, does not mean you can't pull an upset. South Africa seemed close to do just that, as they opened the scoring early in the second half.

Personally, I don't know why Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre decided to bring Oscar Perez to the World Cup, let alone give him the starting job in the first game. Aguirre has been heavily criticized not only for making subs at the wrong times, but for the players he brought along to South Africa. Or better yet, the players he didn't bring. Gerardo Torrado has proved that he can play well in the midfield, but Pavel Pardo has also proved he's still got it. Pardo is an icon of a Mexican player. He had a short, but successful stint in German football, winning the Bundesliga his first year, and playing most of the games. Pardo is a great defensive midfielder and is a legend in Mexico for his free-kick taking ability.

And back to the goalkeeper subject: if Aguirre wanted a more experience player, why not bring Oswaldo Sanchez? Apparently, because Aguirre has a personal issue with Sanchez, and Pardo. Aguirre needs to be professional and not let petty personal issues get in the way of his job. It's not as if Sanchez and Pardo are troublemakers that he didn't bring along because they wouldn't gel with the team. Both are well loved by Mexico's players and fans alike. Aguirre just doesn't like them personally and left them out. If Aguirre wanted talent and ability in the goal, there is none better than the two other keepers he brought: Francisco Guillermo Ochoa (who has been the starting goalkeeper for one of Mexico's greatest teams of all time, Club America since he was around 18) and Luis Ernesto Michel (who had been in Sanchez's shadow until 3 years ago when Sanchez transferred to Santos Laguna. Since then, Michel has risen to be, alongside Ochoa, the best active Mexican goalkeeper). Besides Ochoa and Michel, there are a few other Mexican goalkeepers in the Mexican league that are more-deserving of the third goalkeeper spot: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Moises Munoz (newly-transferred to Atlante), and Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey). We'll see if Aguirre continues to play Perez, though I think this unlikely.

Now that that rant is over, let's continue on with the game. Mexico had most of the possession against South Africa, but didn't make the most of them and almost lost the game in the final minutes after having tied with not that long left. 1-1, and it really could've gone either way.

France v. Uruguay. I'll admit I hate the French national football team. But I'll also admit that I've hated them since before I can remember. I was pretty upset when they qualified with that controversial goal against Ireland. Do I think that game should've been replayed? No. That's football. As much as it'd suck to be so close to qualifying (remember, Ireland had at one point been poised to pressure Italy for the top spot in their qualifying group, only to allow a tying goal that secured Italy the top spot and a trip to the World Cup), that's the way the cookie crumbles, sometimes.

Anyways, France had more possession, but both teams had several key opportunities that were saved by the goalkeepers. Hugo Lloris is the only part of France I don't hate. 0-0. Not the most exciting game, but it had its moments.

So in 5 hours: Greece v. South Korea.

Then later on: Argentina v. Nigeria.

And finally, the game I'm most excited for: United States v. England.

Let's hope we see some goals and a win or two tomorrow (from the teams I'm rooting for).