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.
Uruguay stars spotted
My destination in the distance
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.
Uruguayan fans arrive in their numbers
Uruguay fans wear their passion
Uruguay fans cheer and scream before the match.
First look of the Kuduzela
Nope not a vuvuzela, it's a Kuduzela!
Forlan brings cheers to the crowd
Uruguay's star player Diego Forlan emerges for warm up to rapturous applause.
Indian faces in the crowd
Football crazy Bangla brothers.
Huge support for South Korea
Say hello to the South Korea fans.
Players show respect
Time for the National Anthems.
South Korea get early advantage
A brilliant South Korean free-kick lined up in the first few minutes...
The free-kick: A missed opportunity
And hits the post!
Forlan in full flow
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.
Suarez puts Uruguay ahead
And the opportunistic Luis Suarez scores.
Forlan magic at play
All players do not rush to Suarez, some hoist Forlan, for it is clearly a goal for his hard work.
Rain looms at the Nelson Mandela Bay
Noisy Vuvuzelas
Vuvuzelas resound. Non-Stop!
Rain time in Port Elizabeth
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.
Uruguay look to double their lead
Stunning Suarez stakes his claim
And then some Suarez magic begins. Notice the positioning of players, and how he curls his foot around the Jabulani.
Jung Sung-ryong beaten all ends up
Sorry Goalie, this is just too beautiful a shot.
South Korean keeper crestfallen
Dejection...
Suarez goes into a tizzy
And unbridled joy.
Fate sealed: The scoreboard says it all
And this is how the first knock-out match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended.
Congratulations to a deserving Uruguay team!
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