Cape Town - Day 2

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Match 15
Honduras 0 – 1 Chile
Nelspruit
Location watched: Lapeng – Cape Town, South Africa

We ended up waking up earlier than expected on our day off. After a lovely breakfast, we took my friend’s newly purchased Puma ball down to the park by the sea. We knocked it around a bit, then went back up to get ready for the day.

On this morning we had a little more familiarity with the route we were hoping to take. We walked down the steep hill and made our way to the Fan Zone. Along the way, we enjoyed the sites and sounds of Cape Town. Realizing we weren’t going to make it to the Fan Zone in time for the match, we stopped into the first eating establishment we came across that had a T.V. visible from the street.

After the match and a bite to eat, we headed back out into the street to find the Fan Zone.


Match 16
Spain 0 – 1 Switzerland
Durban
Location watched: Fan Zone, downtown Cape Town

The Fan Zone was a lot more crowded than the one we visited in Pretoria. Most of the reason for this was that the Bafana Bafana would be playing that evening and the spectators wanted to get there early for a good spot.

The result of this match was the biggest shocker of the first round. Switzerland deserved the victory despite the beautiful football played by the Spaniards. The crowd reacted with joy whether the play benefited Spain or Switzerland, so it was a most festive atmosphere.

When the match ended, we set off on foot for the Waterfront.


Match 17
South Africa 0 – 3 Uruguay
Tshwane/Pretoria
Location watched: Karibu on the Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

The last match of the evening contained the host country’s best chance to earn maximum points. I hadn’t seen Uruguay’s match against France, but the locals seemed to think that a win was imminent.

We had not eaten since breakfast, so we found a great little place that was serving South African cuisine. The best way to sum up the food is a mix between a hearty stew and smoked-style barbecue. It has a lot of flavours and contains meats such as Kudu, Ostrich, and, as expected, Karibu.

Meanwhile the match had started and both sides were cautiously attacking while paying attention to the back line. Suddenly, Uruguay’s star striker, Diego Forlan, ripped a shot from well outside the 18-yard penalty box. The dipping strike found net and, for the first time since I have been in South Africa, the vuvuzelas fell silent. My friend and I both had started to yell as the shot went in, but had to cover our mouths and change our expressions from amazement to being aghast at the incredible goal.

At the half break, we ventured back into the common area to watch the rest of the match with the crowd. When South Africa’s keeper was red carded and the ensuing penalty found net, however, we headed back to the guest house.

Things I learned while in Cape Town: a two-litre bottle of Coke goes a long way; employees at the adidas store don’t like it when you sign shirts that are still on the rack; the Bat Signal should not have a square mustache; the phrase “stage fright” has a universal meaning; and if an elderly man stops you in a park, don’t agree to his representation.