Confederations Cup
Bland start for Bafana
2009-06-14 18:18
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Bafana's Tshepo Masilela going down (Gallo)
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Johannesburg - The tournament has only started and already Bafana Bafana have made heavy weather of reaching at least the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup after they drew 0-0 against Iraq at Coca Cola Park in the opening Group A clash on Sunday.
Bafana now have to beat New Zealand in their second Group A clash in Rustenburg on Wednesday night to stand any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
It was a disappointing display for the fans and President Jacob Zuma.
But this is one match Bafana should have won easily against a mediocre Iraqi side.
Head coach Joel Santana's defensive approach didn't help Bafana who never looked comfortable despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.
In fact striker Bernard Parker ended a nightmare game when he actually saved teammate Tsepo Masilela's goal bound shot on the Iraq goalline six minutes from time. It was simply not Bafana or Parker's day. Parker was immediately replaced by Steven Pienaar but it was too little too late.
That was the other bad news for local fans in the near capacity crowd of about 50 000 - the absence of Bafana midfield kingpin Pienaar from the starting line-up. With the non appearance of the Everton star Pienaar, Santana again opted for his trusted ultra-conservative system by employing three defensive midfielders, Benson Mhlongo, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Macbeth Sibaya alongside playmaker Teko Modise.
The trio played successfully alongside Pienaar in the 1-0 friendly win over Poland at Orlando Stadium last weekend but failed to ignite against the stubborn Asian champions.
Pienaar injured his ankle during that match and then suffered a bout of flu which kept him out of training until Friday. He stressed at a media briefing on Friday that if he was not 100 percent he would not play.
But Santana's over cautious formation was as much to blame, with Parker virtually playing another lone ranger role.
Attacking options
Modise also lacked support but still showed that he is a superb talent by running rings around Iraq.
Santana was again found wanting tactically and failed to seize the initiative by bringing off one of his defensive midfielders early in the second half in favour of the more attacking options he had on his bench.
In the first half, the hosts impressed by keeping possession and with their passing but again they fell down in the final third and struggled to penetrate the stubborn Iraq defence.
And when the home side, roared on by the partisan crowd, did break through the Iraq defence they found goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid in brilliant form.
Kassid showed his class when he brilliantly turned a thunderous goal bound shot from Sibaya for a corner on 14 minutes. The Russian-based Sibaya, who was the best player on the field in the opening period, did well to latch onto a clever pass form the hard running right back Siboniso Gaxa and unleash his pile driver.
But that was Bafana's only real chance to break the deadlock during a hard fought opening first 45 minutes. Parker had two tame shots in the 11th minute that Kassid had little trouble with and in the 36th minute the Red Star Belgrade striker was wide with another tame effort.
Iraq came to defend and changed over the happier of the two teams. The Asian champions did not have a shot in anger at goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune during the first 45 minutes.
Parker again tested Kassid and once again the Iraq keeper won when he stopped the Bafana striker's shot four minutes into the second half as the home side started to feel the pressure and went for broke.
The crowd were getting restless and with time ticking away Bafana players were getting frustrated by Iraq's negative tactics. A speculative shot from Modise sailed well over the Iraq crossbar in the 69th minute. Terror Fanteni, who partnered Parker in a powder puff attack, headed Modise's 73rd minute corner fractionally over the crossbar.
Substitute Katlego Mashego added some spark to the attack when he replaced out of sorts Fanteni in the 75th minute.
But he also was frustrated by Kassid who bravely dived at the Orlando Pirates striker's feet to deny Bafana goal in the 79th minute.
Then Kassid, who was easily Iraq's best player, thwarted Parker a minute later. But with time running out, Parker somehow got in the way of Masilela's shot and deflected it out of the goal after Kassid was beaten for the first time in the 84th minute.
The Kiwis play Spain in the other Group A match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday night.