Saturday, 12th June 2010

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes the host nation can still qualify for the second round in the World Cup despite only drawing their first game 1-1 with Mexico.

The hosts were overrun in the first half, with the Mexicans feeling they could have gone in at half time one or two goals to the good. The second half was a different animal though as South Africa grew in confidence and seemed to shake off their earlier rabbits in headlights stance. Indeed, South Africa took the lead and can have counted themselves unlucky not to grab all three points.

"We could easily have won the game", said Parreira. "But a draw is a fair result."

South Africa still have a big burden of expectation upon them as no host nation has ever failed to qualify from the group stages at a World Cup. Equally tough games with Uruguay and France await.


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