The Hindu : Nomvethe's goal shows Slovenia the exit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 09, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Nomvethe's goal shows Slovenia the exit

DAEGU (South Korea) June 8. South Africa took a huge step toward the second round of the World Cup Saturday after a 1-0 victory over Slovenia that eliminated the Europeans after two games.

South Africa needs just one point from its final Group B game with Spain on Wednesday to reach the second round.

``I'm very proud of them. They knew it was time to win and they did it,'' coach Jomo Sono said after the game.

``I think the pressure will be off for the Spanish game. We wanted to get the three points badly today.''

Siyabonga Nomvethe turned the ball over the line with his thigh in the fourth minute, latching onto Quinton Fortune's curling free-kick from the left to hand South Africa its first World Cup finals' victory.

The Bafana Bafana is with four points in two games behind leaders Spain, which has six. Paraguay has one point from two games and Slovenia none.

In a match that had few moments of excitement, Slovenia clearly missed star midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who was sent home on Thursday after a run-in with coach Srecko Katanec.

Katanec had more problems as Slovenia, playing in its first World Cup finals, made an early exit from the tournament.

So did Katanec.

Early in the second half, after becoming increasingly frustrated as his side laboured against the South Africans, a sideline official ejected Katanec from the dugout.

Slovenia's only first half chance fell to Milenko Acimovic in the 33rd minute when the midfielder took a pass from Doni Novak, but could only lash his shot wide of the left post from the edge of the area.

South Africa continued to dominate in the second half.

Benni McCarthy slipped away from his marker in the 50th minute and rifled a low drive on goal, which forced a diving save by Slovenia 'keeper Marko Simeunovic.

In the 64th McCarthy went closer, heading Fortune's cross off woodwork. Moments later, McCarthy missed another chance on a shot straight at the Slovene keeper from inside the area.

McCarthy was later stretchered off after crashing into Simeunovic.

Slovenia had two chances to level. Nastja Ceh powered a header on goal after a cross from Milan Osterc in the 72nd, and Amir Karic curled a 30-meter (yard) shot just over in the final minutes.

``We may be out of the World Cup, but I am still proud of my players,'' said Katanec.

``We showed we are competitive, we were in the game against Spain until the last five minutes and we played good football today. We will go into the last match with the same attitude as we want to win won game in our first World Cup.''

The teams: South Africa: 16-Andre Arendse; 2-Cyril Nzama, 19-Lucas Radebe (captain), 3-Bradley Carnell, 4-Aaron Mokoena; 6-MacBeth Sibaya, 7-Quinton Fortune (11-Jabu Pule, 84), 12-Teboho Mokoena, 15-Sibusiso Zuma; 14-Sayabonga Nomvethe, (Delron Buckley, 70), 17-Benni McCarthy (23-George Koumantarakis, 80).

Slovenia: 1-Marko Simeunovic; 3-Zeljko Milinovic, 4- Muamer Vugdalic, 6-Aleksander Knavs, (23-Spasoje Bulajic, 60); 7-Doni Novak, 8-Ales Ceh (captain), 11-Miran Pavlin, 18-Milenko Acimovic (20-Nastja Ceh, 60), 19-Amir Karic; 21-Sebastjan Cimirotic (9-Milan Osterc, 41), 13-Mladen Rudonja.

Referee: Angel Sanchez, Argentina.

— AP

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