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Bafana Bafana heartbreak South Africa eliminated, Spain rolls into last 16Posted: Wednesday June 12, 2002 7:25 AMUpdated: Wednesday June 12, 2002 11:34 AM
TAEJON, South Korea (Reuters) -- South African hearts were broken on Wednesday when it missed out on qualifying for the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time after losing 3-2 to Spain in its final group B match. It finished the group phase with four points, five behind the Spanish and level with Paraguay, which beat Slovenia 3-1 in their last match, grabbing its crucial third six minutes from time to move above the South Africans on goals scored. (Paraguay squeezes in with 3-1 win) South Africa had twice come from behind to equalize in an open, roller-coaster match against Spain, which had secured its place in the last 16, where it will play Ireland Sunday, by winning its first two games.
"We did well, we showed guts," said South Africa coach Jomo Sono. "We gave away three silly goals but we can't blame anybody. "I'd like to say, though, that we gave it our best shot, we played some good football but this sort of thing happens." Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho was relieved his team had managed to finish top of the group after becoming the first team so far to win all three group matches at the tournament. "We were already into the last 16 but it makes a lot of difference to win the group as we will have more time to rest before the next game," Camacho said. "We know that Ireland are a very compact team, they did not lose any games in qualifying." (Tough selection decisions for Camacho) South Africa finally succumbed to a 56th minute winner from striker Raul, his second goal of the night. It was a cruel blow for South Africa, which failed to win a match at its first appearance in the World Cup in France four years ago. (Anguish in South Africa after cruel exit) It made the worst possible start in Taejon when its goalkeeper Andre Arendse gifted Spain a goal in the fourth minute with a dreadful blunder. Arendse, surprisingly recalled to the first team recently, came to the edge of his box to collect a harmless, over-hit through ball from Gaizka Mendieta but fumbled it badly. Raul nipped in, stole the ball and walked it into the empty net. The South Africans equalized in the 31st minute through former Spain-based forward Benni McCarthy. Acrobatic volley Striker Siyabonga Nomvethe nodded down a looping cross from the right and McCarthy beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas from close range with an acrobatic volley.
But on the stroke of halftime, Mendieta restored Spain's advantage with a curling right foot free kick from 20 meters which left the badly-positioned Arendse glued to his line. Eight minutes into the second half South Africa equalized for the second time. Spanish defender Enrique Romero tried to clear a corner from the South African right but the ball skimmed off the top of his head and span to the back post, where South Africa captain Lucas Radebe was on hand to head home. Three minutes later, however, Spain were back in front when Raul ghosted around the back of Radebe to meet a Joaquin cross with a firm header for his second goal of the night. South Africa, perhaps conscious of Paraguay's second half comeback, tried to haul itself back into the match for the third time, but Nelson Cuevas's goal six minutes from time ended its dream of a place in the last 16. Somo refused to discuss his future straight after the match. "I'll decide when I get home," he said. Paraguay will play Germany on Saturday for a place in the quarterfinals. Qualified Spain makes changes for final gameTAEJON, South Korea (Reuters) -- With a place in the second round already assured, Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho made eight changes to his lineup for Wednesday's final group B game against South Africa. Only goalkeeper Iker Casillas, centre-back Miguel Angel Nadal and forward Raul kept their starting places from the 3-1 victories over Slovenia and Paraguay. Diego Tristan and Javi de Pedro, who are both nursing injuries, were replaced by Fernando Morientes and Gaizka Mendieta. Tactical changes brought in Curro Torres and Enrique Romero for Carles Puyol and Juanfran in the fullback positions, with Ivan Helguera replacing Fernando Hierro in central defense. David Albelda and Xavi replaced Ruben Baraja and Juan Carlos Valeron in central midfield, with Joaquin in for Luis Enrique on the right. South Africa, which needs at least a point to be certain of making the second round, was unchanged from its 1-0 win over Slovenia. Score Summary:South Africa 2 Spain 3 - result World Cup, group B Scorers: South Africa - Benni McCarthy 31, Lucas Radebe 53 Spain - Raul 4, 56, Gaizka Mendieta 45 Yellow cards: South Africa - Cyril Nzama 16, Bradley Carnell 67, Siyabonga Nomvethe 69, Aaron Mokoena 81 Halftime: 1-2 Teams:South Africa (4-4-2): 16-Andre Arendse; 2-Cyril Nzama, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 19-Lucas Radebe (22-Thabang Molefe 80), 3-Bradley Carnell; 7-Quinton Fortune (5-Jacob Lekgotho 83), 6-MacBeth Sibaya, 12-Tebeho Mokoena, 15-Sibusiso Zuma; 14-Siyabonga Nomvethe (23-George Koumantarakis 74), 17-Benni McCarthy Spain (4-4-2): 1-Iker Casillas; 2-Curro Torres, 15-Romero, 20-Miguel Angel Nadal, 19-Xavi; 4-Ivan Helguera, 14-David Albelda (18-Sergio 52), 16-Gaizka Mendieta, 22-Joaquin; 7-Raul (21-Luis Enrique 82), 9-Fernando Morientes (12-Albert Luque 77) Match Referee: Saad Mane (Kuwait) Linesmen: Jorge Rattalino (Argentina), Awni Hassouneh (Jordan)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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