Hosts enjoy record romp
South Africa equalled their best ever margin of victory with a rout of Thailand
in a World Cup warm-up game in Nelspruit.
Siphiwe Tshabalala curled in the opener from a 22nd-minute free-kick which beat
goalkeeper Kawin Thamasatchanan at his near post.
Tshabalala turned provider for the second with his corner finding Bongani
Khumalo, whose goalbound header was turned home by Katlego Mphela.
Mphela grabbed his second three minutes later after the impressive Tshabalala
backheeled the ball to Teko Modise, who played in Mphela to beat Kawin in
fortuitous style.
After Mphela had squandered a number of opportunities to complete his
hat-trick, substitute Siyabonga Nomvethe saw a goal ruled out for offside.
But fellow replacement Bernard Parker struck with a low finish in stoppage time
to ensure Bafana Bafana emulated the winning margin set against Chad in 2007.