27/6/10 Soccer City, Johannesburg
8:30 pm
Argentina 2-1 Mexico
Goal Scorers: Tevez [2], Higuain [A] and Hernandez [M]
This is the most tantalizing matches of them all, even those that are to come. That is because I was there, at the magnificent Soccer City stadium, and feeling the soccer. You could see the players emotions, the tension sizzling in the air, and the hopes of 80500 people dancing on the field.
I had not wanted to go to the stadiums, and did not really feel the need. Then the tickets appeared, rather expensive unfortunately, but thats what you get if you buy them a few hours before kick-off. Allah bless us. So, my sister and I went out for the match. We waited about 20 minutes in the traffic to get to the parking, and Soccer City glittered and proudly welcomed the world. It is has a truly African look to it, the colours in the day are earthy, reds and oranges, it fits in quite well with the dry Johannesburg winter. At night, the calabash is a bowl of light. It might not be the prettiest stadium, but it is holds more than others, and is a statement of power.
We then walked for 20 minutes to get to the Stadium, its quite a distance, and the sidewalks were still unpaved, but the amazing thing was that it was safe. Being a South African, we almost never walk out at night, in fear that the criminals are looming everywhere.
There are thousands of people, milling about, the vendors selling hot chocolate, makarapas, vuvuzelas, and all sorts of fan paraphernalia. The Argentinian funs were more than the Mexican ones, I think it was because many South Africans chose to support Albiceleste too. We had to go through a metal detector, and then went to our seats, which was entrance G. There are no stairs, fortunately, but wide ramps, making it so much safer. So, we went, rather a long way up, and there were the orange seats, and there was the field.
The sounds of the vuvuzelas, the roar of it rather, was unbelievably loud. It almost stopped you from thinking. Yes, its loud in a room, but in a round stadium, where the sounds almost bounce back at you, and there are thousands blowing it with so much energy, its astonishing. I needed earplugs. And everybody is completely addicted to it. Their enjoying it so very much, it begins before the match starts and after it too.
The players were training on the field, and that was wonderful to watch. They psyche themselves up for the match, running freely, and almost in tune to the tremendous noise blasting around them. I can't understand how they concentrate with all that noise around them. Their being geniuses and they have to do it with the constant whirring of noise.
When the players walked out, the people blew those trumpets louder, but when Maradona appeared they roared. He is really, the biggest star of the world cup. He might have played soccer very many years ago, but they shout more for him than any other. Then the match began. If I may, the players look unbelievably normal. The TV makes it seem as if their great creatures, but their not. They also don't run as much as it seems on camera, as if they never ever get a moment to breath. The thing is, once its out of their half, the other players are standing and waiting for the ball. The fans are constantly throwing streamers and balloons around, so quite a few of them land up on the field. The lucky Argentinian goal keeper, who didn't have a lot of green shirts jumping at him, calmly took a streamer, gathered it up and threw it out. Amazing.
And as soon as Mr. Lionel Messi touches the ball, the crowd cheers in delight. Everybody wants him to score, to have the ball all the time, to have him take on Mexico by himself and run rings around them. I wanted him to score, it would have crowned the night. The stars sparkled above Soccer City, the weather icy. The substitutes seemed quite happy sitting on the bench with many blankets. I kept trying to keep my hands warm, and many were buying hats and earmuffs. The atmosphere was hot, it was stunning. It was worth it.
People can't wait for a goal. They play and play, you wonder when its going to happen, and then its there. Oh, what a gorgeous moment. It is a goal, even if you sigh in sadness for your team. Spectators always want to be entertained, they want a good match. Argentina's goal came at 26th minute, and everybody stands and cheers in happiness, the blue flags waving. Ah, a celebration.
However, that first goal was offside. Tevez had been in front of the two defenders, was passed the ball and then he scored. The ref allowed it. Then, the huge screen above showed the reply, clearly showing it offside. Of course, some of the players saw it, and the teams began shoving each other around, and justifiably for the Mexicans, seeing as it was not a goal. No can do, Argentina had scored. Sepp Blatter later apologized, but FIFA is undeniably, crazy. What are they, corrupt? The replay comes almost instantly, and you could wait for that.
Also, fouls. TV makes it seem so dramatic. They fall so many times, Messi does it a lot. Many times they just get up, and get on with it. Of course, there is rough play, but its not, as it might seem, awfully dangerous.
The second goal was rather easy, and Argentina had easily left the Mexicans behind, even though the Mexicans played well, showing a determined spirit. Then, Tevez's second goal, it sliced the wind, and it was brilliant. Hernandez scored for Mexico in the second half, and after that, the celebrating Argentineans, and the players passing the ball, waiting for the end.
Bye Mexico, well done! They have a good team, I wish they had gone through instead of Uruguay.
And so, my match. Praise be to Allah.
I give absolutely everything for this jersey and I run my socks off on the pitch just to keep my place.-Tevez.
