Uruguay head to do battle with South Korea
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Siddhanta Pinto in South Africa
World Cup Sid - Rediff.com's man in South Africa, Siddhanta Pinto - shares his experience of watching the first Round of 16 match between Uruguay and South Korea.
Summerstrand in Port Elizabeth, a beautiful beautiful drive past the pristine ocean got us to the Marine Hotel.
And surprise, surprise! I see the Uruguay team bus on their way to their round of 16 knock-out game. Notice the security man upset with me as I jump right in front of their motorcade to take some pictures.
Image: The Uruguayan team bus leaves the hotel
Uruguay stars spotted
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Image: Uruguayan players in the team bus
My destination in the distance
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I find my way to the stadium from the top of Sydenham, 2 hours in advance, and already, there are lots who have beaten me to it.
Image: On way to the Nelson Mandela Stadium
Uruguayan fans arrive in their numbers
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Image: Uruguayan fans cheer and wave their flags
Uruguay fans wear their passion
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Uruguay fans cheer and scream before the match.
Image: Uruguayan fans at the match
First look of the Kuduzela
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Nope not a vuvuzela, it's a Kuduzela!
Image: A fan plays a Kuduzela
Forlan brings cheers to the crowd
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Uruguay's star player Diego Forlan emerges for warm up to rapturous applause.
Image: Diego Forlan warms up before the match
Indian faces in the crowd
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Football crazy Bangla brothers.
Image: Indian fans at the match
Huge support for South Korea
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Say hello to the South Korea fans.
Image: South Korean fans wave their flags
Players show respect
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Time for the National Anthems.
Image: Players stand in respect as the national anthems are played out
South Korea get early advantage
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A brilliant South Korean free-kick lined up in the first few minutes...
Image: A South Korean player takes a free-kick
The free-kick: A missed opportunity
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And hits the post!
Image: The set-piece effort manages to find the post
Forlan in full flow
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Immediately at the other end, the brilliant Diego Forlan with a superb piece of skill, gets the better of his defender and sends in a low cross.
Image: Diego Forlan tries to cuts past a South Korean defender
Suarez puts Uruguay ahead
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And the opportunistic Luis Suarez scores.
Image: Luis Suarez (extreme left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring
Forlan magic at play
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All players do not rush to Suarez, some hoist Forlan, for it is clearly a goal for his hard work.
Image: Forlan gets hoisted for setting up the first goal
Rain looms at the Nelson Mandela Bay
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Image: A thick cloud cover over the stadium
Noisy Vuvuzelas
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Vuvuzelas resound. Non-Stop!
Image: Fans cheer their teams by blowing the vuvuzelas
Rain time in Port Elizabeth
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And then the heavens open up. It is freezing in the light blowing rain. People from the lower uncovered levels (such as myself) rush up towards shelter in a surprisingly not-so-packed stadium.
Image: Light showers start during the match
Uruguay look to double their lead
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Image: Suarez (right) and Forlan foray into South Korea's half
Stunning Suarez stakes his claim
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And then some Suarez magic begins. Notice the positioning of players, and how he curls his foot around the Jabulani.
Image: Suarez in action
Jung Sung-ryong beaten all ends up
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Sorry Goalie, this is just too beautiful a shot.
Image: South Korean Jung Sung-ryong dives in vain
South Korean keeper crestfallen
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Dejection...
Image: Hapless Sung-ryong wears a dejected look
Suarez goes into a tizzy
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And unbridled joy.
Image: Suarez runs towards the corner flag to celebrate
Fate sealed: The scoreboard says it all
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And this is how the first knock-out match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended.
Congratulations to a deserving Uruguay team!
Image: The final score is flashed on the electronic scoreboard
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