SA pay the penalty for misses
27 March 2008Two missed penalties means South Africa were blown out of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier tournament on Durban's New Beach on Wednesday.
The South Africans take on Egypt in their final match on Thursday knowing that they have no hope of progressing any further in the tournament, while Egypt know that they are through to the next round regardless of the outcome of either Pool A match.
An unexpected win by Mozambique over South Africa, combined with Egypt's shock 5-4 extra-time defeat of Senegal, means the winner of the Senegal versus Mozambique fixture will go into the semi-finals.
Pool B
In Pool B, Cameroon are in pole position with two wins. Only a loss to Nigeria - in what is surely going to be the match of the day - combined with a massive win by Cote d'Ivoire over the Cape Verde Islands will keep them from the semi finals.
Nigeria, the defending champions, know that a loss to Cameroon means Cote d'Ivoire will probably go through at their expense, unless Cape Verde can produce a stunning upset.
On Wednesday, Cameroon were in a fighting mood as they outmuscled a gallant Cote d'Ivoire 8-6.
Cameroon were never behind, but only made sure of their victoryby scoring their final goal 10 seconds from full time after Cote d'Ivoire's never-say-die attitude brought them close at the end.
The Cameroonians were more prepared to throw players forward and their decision to employ two front runners for most of the match paid dividends with Batoum making the most of his opportunities by netting four times as he tormented the Cote d'Ivoire defenders.
Nigeria, led by a six-goal haul by captain Isiaka Olawale, overwhelmed Cape Verde 12-2 in the most one-sided match so far at the tournament.
Missed opportunities
In the final game of the day, Nduduzo Phakathi and Bandile Lekena each missed a penalty as South Africa
were beaten 3-2 by Mozambique in a tense, low-scoring match.
Two goals in the first period and one in the final stanza were enough to give Mozambique the three points on offer, despite being outplayed by the host side for most of the match.
South Africa, who scored the first and third periods via Phakathi and Philani Gumede, did themselves no facours by consistently missing the target.
Included in their long list of missed attempts were the two penalties, one way over the top and another far to the right of goal. Had their shooting been more accurate they probably would have won the match at a canter with probably twice as many shots at goal as their north-western neighbours.
However, it would be unfair to lay the blame solely at the inaccurate feet of the front runners, while the defenders were giving the men they were meant to be marking far too much time to line up pots at goal.
Exciting clash
The most exciting game of
the day was undoubtedly Egypt's 5-4 extra-time victory over Senegal in a clash of styles.
The skillful and patient Egyptians finally overcame the more direct and physical Senegalese when Aly Ahmed headed a looping half-blocked shot home midway through extra time.
Although they had to play an extra three minutes to claim victory, the Egyptians were never behind and looked like the team that wanted victory more. They were full of pace and aggression, and used their superior skill to keep the sluggish Senegalese on the back foot throughout the tense contest.
Egypt enjoyed a two-goal cushion early in the final period, but two late goals in the last four minutes - a sweet shot on the turn by Mamadou Mbengue and a controversial penalty by Pape Koupaki with 40 seconds remaining — took the match into extra time.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, 27 March
(First match at 11:00)
- Cape Verde Island v Cote d'Ivoire
- Mozambique v Senegal
- Nigeria v Cameroon
- South Africa v Egypt
Friday, 28 March, Rest Day
Saturday, 29 March
(First match at 12:45)
- Semifinal 1: 1st Group B v 2nd Group A
- Semifinal 2: 1st Group A v 2nd Group B
Sunday, 30 March
(First match at 12:45)
- Playoff for 3rd place
- Final
Source: Gameplan Media
