Source: Team_Talk
Mokoena satisfied after draw
Aaron Mokoena is relieved to have got South Africa's World Cup opener out of the way, insisting the draw with Mexico mustn't be underestimated.[LNB] After being over-run for large parts of the first half in Johannesburg on Friday, Bafana Bafana transformed their game in the second period to come away with a 1-1 draw.[LNB]Siphiwe Tshabalala's spectacular 55th-minute goal put them in front, but Rafael Marquez silenced most of the 85,000 Soccer City spectators with a calm equaliser 11 minutes from the end to earn a share of the spoils.[LNB]"It was a good result for both teams," Mokoena said.[LNB]"The Mexicans are a very, very difficult team, I tell you.[LNB]"I think it was good to play against the Mexicans and get that game out of the way.[LNB]"I'm not saying the two upcoming games will be easy, but I'm saying that Mexico are extremely difficult to play against.[LNB]"When they attack, they throw everyone out there and take many risks. But that's how they play.[LNB]"We managed to cope with them, we created many chances, we defended well as a team and we just have to build on this."[LNB]The Portsmouth defender was also adamant there were no early jitters, despite Carlos Alberto Parreira's men spending most of the opening 40 minutes in their own half.[LNB]He continued: "I don't think we struggled (in the early stages). We had to really make sure we could cope with their play because as I said they are a dangerous side.[LNB]"It is very important (to get the first game out of the way).[LNB]"I think we showed we have what it takes.[LNB]"It's not the end of the road, it's just the beginning of it and we have to build on this."[LNB]Mexico striker Carlos Vela thought differently from Mokoena, saying he felt the massive home support had worked to the detriment of the South Africans.[LNB]"Yes, the people here definitely played a role. It's difficult for them playing like that and it's even more hard at the World Cup.[LNB]"As you saw there was a big crowd here and the pressure was big on us too.[LNB]"I think Mexico had opportunities to score and didn't take them in the first half. In the second half it was more difficult and they came back strongly."[LNB]Despite his side coming away with the draw, the Arsenal frontman was still unhappy, adding: "I'm not happy because this team believes we can win any game.[LNB]"So now we need to win the two last games and try and make it to the next round."
