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BUSAN, South Korea (Ticker) -- Quinton Fortune converted a penalty kick in injury time as South Africa overcame a two-goal deficit to record a 2-2 draw against Paraguay in a Group B match. Fortune, a regular substitute for English giant Manchester United, powered the penalty past goalkeeper Ricardo Tavarelli, whose foul on Sibusiso Zuma inside the box led to the penalty decision. Meanwhile, television replays seemed to suggest it was a borderline call. "Very happy to get the draw," Fortune said. "But have to be a little disappointed as well. We gave away two soft goals." Tavarelli started the match in place of inspirational captain Jose Luis Chilavert, who served the last of a three-match ban for spitting at Brazil's Roberto Carlos during a qualifying game. Paraguay will be particularly disappointed to have wasting its two-goal advantage ahead of its contest against group favorite Spain on June 7. "After the first half we stopped and we gave them too much space," Chilavert said. "This happens in football. But it's a problem we have to solve soon, before the next match against Spain. We played well in the first 45 minutes." However, the South American side remained unbeaten in first-round matches since a 7-3 loss to France in 1958. Paraguay jumped out to what seemed to be a comfortable lead thanks to a header from 20-year-old striker Roque Santa Cruz after 39 minutes and a curling free kick by Francisco Arce 10 minutes into the second half. Arce also set up Santa Cruz off a free kick. "I'm not disillusioned or disappointed, but I'm convinced we will win again," Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini said. "I don't want to judge the referee (regarding the penalty decision)." South Africa got a break when defender Estanislao Struway deflected a shot by Tebogo Mokoena past a wrong-footed Tavarelli. Nicknamed "Bafana Bafana," South Africa made a game of it late in the second half, applying pressure up front which eventually paid off. Despite earning a point, South Africa will try to get its first ever victory in a World Cup match when it meets Slovenia on June 8. |
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