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Amajita, Lithuania share spoils

Johannesburg - The South African Under-20 men's team were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuania in St Petersburg, Russia on Saturday afternoon in their opening game of the Commonwealth Cup.

The South Africans take on Tajikistan on Sunday before rounding off their group stage matches with a match on Tuesday against Kazakhstan.

Amajita coach David Notoane said he would take a point in the opening game but said he hoped for an improvement from his players in the second match.

"I will take a point though I am disappointed because we dominated possession and missed a glut of chances," Notoane said.

"But such things happen in any opening game."

Amajita started with a flourish when Tshepo Liphoko gave the South Africans a deserved lead in the ninth minute following a good cross by Tlotlo Leepile.

The goal looked like the right tonic Amajita needed as they camped in the Lithuanian half.

However, Maphosa Modiba hit the crossbar and Pule Maraisane pushed his effort wide as they pushed for the elusive second goal.

Amajita were made to pay for missed chances as Lithuania scored in the 31st minute through Krusnauskas Rokas whose effort hit the upright before the ball rolled into the net.

The South Africans upped the tempo after the setback hardworking Maraisane hit the side-netting in the 44th minute as the two teams went to half-time deadlocked.

Thamsanqa Masiya then wasted an opportunity midway through the second half by blasting the ball over the bar as the match remained deadlocked.

Amajita missed yet another chance late in the match following a good cross by Maphosa but the ball found no takers inside the box as South Africa started to show frustration.

In the 80th minute, Tlotlo tried with a long-range shot but his pile-driver was well saved by the Lithuanian keeper as the match ended in a stalemate.

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