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Cardiff - Banyana Banyana produced their best performance of the London Olympics on Tuesday, holding world champions Japan to a credible goalless draw in their last pool match of the women's soccer tournament.
Holding fort at the back for 90 minutes, the South Africans did well to keep out a relentless Japanese attack in their final appearance on Olympic debut.
Portia Modise had perhaps the best chance for SA in both halves.
She fired a shot wide to the left in the 23rd minute and had an effort saved by Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori with 20 minutes left in the second period.
Despite settling for a draw, the single point was enough to send Japan into the playoffs, with Sweden also qualifying from Group F.
Banyana finished bottom of the group with one point, while Canada were also eliminated from the tournament after finishing third.
Modise scored Banyana's only goal of the Games when she fired in a blinder from 45m out in their 4-1 defeat to Sweden in their tournament opener.
The South Africans lost their second match 3-0 against Canada on Saturday to prevent any further progression in the competition.
Holding fort at the back for 90 minutes, the South Africans did well to keep out a relentless Japanese attack in their final appearance on Olympic debut.
Portia Modise had perhaps the best chance for SA in both halves.
She fired a shot wide to the left in the 23rd minute and had an effort saved by Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori with 20 minutes left in the second period.
Despite settling for a draw, the single point was enough to send Japan into the playoffs, with Sweden also qualifying from Group F.
Banyana finished bottom of the group with one point, while Canada were also eliminated from the tournament after finishing third.
Modise scored Banyana's only goal of the Games when she fired in a blinder from 45m out in their 4-1 defeat to Sweden in their tournament opener.
The South Africans lost their second match 3-0 against Canada on Saturday to prevent any further progression in the competition.
