SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - South Africans in Soweto disappointed with 3-0 defeat against Uruguay

Record ID: 455739

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - South Africans in Soweto disappointed with 3-0 defeat against Uruguay
  • Date: 17th June 2010
  • Summary: CLOSE OF FAN WATCHING ANXIOUSLY AND PRAYING
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1C2HN6AJSTIA1KKSXJ18GO64P
  • Story Text: South African soccer fans in the Johannesburg township of Soweto voice their disappointment as their side is left on the brink of elimination at the World Cup.
    Thousands of fans watched South Africa tumble to a 3-0 defeat against Uruguay at an official fan zone in Johannesburg's township of Soweto on Wednesday (June 16).
    Fans waved flags and blew on their vuvuzelas to create a deafening party atmosphere despite temperatures in the city dropping to near freezing.
    South Africa had opened the tournament with a draw against Mexico and needed a win to boost their chances of making the knockout stages of the tournament.
    But the Bafana Bafana struggled with Uruguay's attacking play and found themselves behind thanks to a deflected Diego Forlan strike.
    An extremely controversial penalty that saw the South African goalkeeper shown a straight red card shattered any hope of a comeback.
    "I think the boys played well but it's just unfortunate that we had to get a red card for our goalkeeper, and we haven't got any goals, so we'll see how it goes against France. We can only hope for a win. You know it's only hope left now," said Melody.
    To the dismay of fans, Uruguay scored a third late on sparking a mass exodus of fans from the fan zone.
    "Today we didn't show any competition, we just proved our spirit, that's all. No competition, all the forces were coming at South Africa, we didn't show anything, beaten 3-0 it's terrible, it's terrible, that's all I can say," said one fan.
    "We are so angry man, 'cause we lost 3-0. We had to at least draw man, by the way that was a game that was tense, now we have to go home with broken hearts," said Edwin, another fan.
    No host nation has ever failed to qualify for the latter stages of the World Cup.
    South Africa can still qualify by beating France and hoping the other final Group A match goes their way.
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