South Africa nearly made a perfect start to the World Cup Friday, scoring early in the second half before conceding a late goal in a 1-1 draw with Mexico in the opening match of the tournament. Rafael Marquez provided the heart-breaking equalizer after Andres Guardado floated in a left-footed cross from the left. The unmarked Marquez controlled the ball and blasted it into the net in the 79th minute. Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the host nation a dream start, finishing off a well-worked move in the 55th to set off wild celebrations at Soccer City among the more than 90,000 horn-blowing fans. The hosts strung together a fine series of passes from inside their own half and Kagisho Dikgacoi found Tshabalala clear of the Mexican defense. With no one in support, the winger let fly with a powerful left-footed angled shot which flew past the goalkeeper into the far corner. “It was a great goal, very special for me,” Tshabalala said. “It was something of a present because I was celebrating my 50th appearance.” The South Africans came close to scoring a winner in the 90th when Katlego Mphela got clear of two markers but his shot hit the near post. South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was content with the one point. “We could easily have won the game,” the Brazilian coach said. “All in all at the end a draw is a fair result. We are still in the competition. This group is very tough.” Early in the match, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre kept his word as the Mexicans attacked in force from the kickoff. The hosts could have been a goal down inside the first two minutes when goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled a low cross. Giovani Dos Santos was presented with an easy shot at goal but South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena rescued his team with a well-timed block. The attack-minded Mexicans continued to create chances but lacked accuracy and, when Carlos Vela had the ball in the net from a flicked-on corner, it was disallowed for offside. Forced to defend for most of the time, the South Africans posed few threats but went close just before halftime. Tshabalala's cross from the left found Mphela unmarked in front of goal but he failed to reach it with only the goalkeeper to beat. “The team that makes four points will qualify,” Parreira said. “Whatever happens against Uruguay, this group will be decided in the last game against France.” Sixth for Parreira Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira became the first coach to feature in six World Cups when South Africa faced Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 tournament Friday. The 67-year-old grandfather overtakes Serb Bora Milutinovic, who is two years younger, with each coach having guided five countries at the four-yearly football spectacle. Parreira also coached Kuwait, in 1982, United Arab Emirates (1990), Brazil (1994 and 2006) and Saudi Arabia (1998) with a World Cup title the highlight and a sacking the low point.
