SA beat France

SA defeated France to win with 2-1 in World Cup Group-A match on Tuesday but it was not enough to reach the second round. Uruguay beats Mexico with 1-0 in the other match and got a place in the last 16. South Africa finished in third place by getting 4 points with helpless France finishing last with one. South Africa became the first World Cup hosts which failed to survive the group match but at least they had restored some pride.

The home team South Africa, seeking to put on a good show in front of thousands of spectators at the Free State Stadium, and also recorded their first victory over a major first half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela. However, they had the advantage of playing against 10 men for all but the first few minutes of the match after the controversial dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff.

South Africa looks on bright side

South Africa is at bottom of Group A with one point from two matches and could defeat France. South African hopes of beating the record of becoming the first host nation not to reach the second round to have victory over France and Mexico winning. Coach Carlos Alberto refused to dismiss France second-half show, where Mexico scored twice against their opponents. He said they are in tough group and France will be very difficult to beat so they must play with a lot of spirit.

While Parreira has won the tournament and reached the 2006 quarter-finals with the Samba Boys, he has yet to deliver a World Cup victory with Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia. The draws for Kuwait against Czechoslovakia and South Africa against Mexico are all he has to worry about for eight losses that made him out before the final. Parreira departing without victory as France have won twice and drawn once in three clashes with Bafana.

South Africa as underdogs

South Africa will go into the World Twenty20 in the West Indies without being burdened by the expectations of their supporters. Graeme Smith's team will be underdogs as they make another attempt to win an ICC global event. South Africa have coach van Zyl, a captain recovering from injury and a team whose players were starring during the IPL. With the exception of fast bowler Dale Steyn and all-rounders Kallis and Albie Morkel, South Africa's leading bowlers spent most of their time in India.

As spin likely to be an important factor, Smith admitted it was disappointing that Merwe played in only one game and off-spinner Johan Botha did not get on the field. The only South African batsman to perform consistently throughout the IPL was Kallis, for the RCB. Smith suffered a broken finger while fielding in the IPL and picked up bat again on April 14. They have only got five or six days to get themselves ready for the tournament and they got to knuckle down.

South Africa will not be alone, in having to rush their preparation, with the tournament starting just five days after the IPL final. South Africa have been beaten semi-finalists in seven ICC events going back to the 1992 World Cup, but reached only one final, in 1998. South Africa have the potential to be competitive in the West Indies, where they will play group matches against India in St. Lucia and newcomer Afghanistan in Barbados. A headache will be to decide which two of Smith, Kallis, Bosman and Gibbs should open the batting. Another decision will be whether to play both spinners, Van der Merwe and Botha.