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ESPNsoccernet: Global |
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
World Cup hosts South Africa beat Malawi
SOMHLOLO, Swaziland, May 26 (Reuters) - Future World Cup
hosts South Africa fielded 10 new caps as they edged past Malawi
5-4 on penalties in their Cosafa Castle Cup Group B semi-final
at Swaziland's Somhlolo stadium on Saturday.
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Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira used the match in the annual
southern African championship to experiment with fringe players
but had to go through a tense shootout after a goalless draw
before seeing his young side advance to Sunday's final.
South Africa will meet Mauritius in the Group B decider
after the Indian Ocean islanders upset hosts Swaziland in
Saturday's second semi-final.
Mauritius also needed a shootout to progress, winning 6-5 on
penalties after another 0-0 draw.
'It's a way to build for the future,' said Parreira, 'but we
struggled to keep possession and only made chances in the second
half.'
South Africa had the best chances but were denied twice
inside three minutes midway through the second half by sharp
saves from Malawi's Simoen Kapuza.
Malawi, who fielded a full strength side, were playing their
first game under new English coach Steven Constantine.
Mauritius, searching for their first win in more than a two
years, weathered an early Swazi onslaught to settle for
penalties where their inexperienced goalkeeper Yannick Macoa
made two stops to hand them a place in the final.
The group winners progress to the semi-finals of the
regional competition for which Mozambique and Zambia have
already qualified.