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Heartbreak in Daejon for Bafana Bafana
Jomo Sono the South African coach summed it up: "I thought we did well throughout the tournament, showing lots of guts and spirit. It's the name of the game. We gave three silly goals, so we were punished, but we gave our best shot." Spain had already reserved their spot in the second round, but by beating South Africa they denied Bafana Bafana second spot in the group which went to Paraguay. South Africa fell behind three times in the match in Daejon, Korea. They equalized twice but were unable to get the all-important third, after Raul had scored his second goal. With news that Paraguay had come from behind to take a two-goal advantage (1:3) against Slovenia in the second half, South Africa tried to push for the equalizer, but it was not to be. And so, they were eliminated on goals scored and finish third in the group. Spain came out attacking and took an early lead through Raul, who may never score an easier World Cup goal. Gaizka Mendieta laid a through ball into the penalty area for Raul that was too strong, but when South Africa goalkeeper Andre Arendse slid out to scoop it up, he couldn't handle it cleanly. Raul managed to strip the ball from him, and he calmly dribbled inside the vacant goal box before finishing. South Africa tried to come back when MacBeth Sibaya fired a shot from 20 metres that Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas punched away . Fernando Morientes thought he had doubled Spain's lead on the half hour when he knocked a header on goal from six metres, but Arendse dived to his right and reached behind him to bat the ball down and keep it from crossing the line. A minute later South Africa were level. Siyabonga Nomvethe headed a cross from the right toward the near post where Benedict McCarthy left his feet to volley past Casillas Just before the half-time interval Spain went back in front as Mendieta's a free kick just outside the area left Arendse stuck in his tracks, as the ball curled just inside the back post . South Africa equalised again early in the second half when Lucas Radebe poked in a header at the back post after Spain's Romero sent an errant flick pass behind him from a corner kick (2:2, 53'). But within minutes, Raul had Spain back in the lead for a third time. Joaquin lofted a perfect cross into the area where Raul rose above his defender and nodded the ball to the right of Arendse (2:3, 56'). In the end, South Africa desperately pushed forward, but when they needed an equaliser the most, it never came and their FIFA World Cup was finished. Jomo Sono thought
his team had given their all and could have no complaints. "I'd like
to say to our country that we really gave our best shot. We're sorry,
and that's it. Yeah, today's game was good football, that happens."
"We've done the best that was expected of us. We lost against the best team in the tournament but we are satisfied with what our boys did. I think we had some of our best moments, created good chances. Spain is one of the best teams, we can only wish them the best of luck and I hope they go through to the Final."
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In
Round 2 Ike
Shorunmu Lucas
Radebe Samuel
Eto'o In
Round 1 Metsu's
secret Profiles
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