South Africa beats Colombia in friendly

South Africa beats Colombia in friendly

Published May. 27, 2010 10:41 p.m. ET

South Africa marked its first game at the World Cup showcase Soccer City stadium with a 2-1 win over Colombia on Thursday, with all three goals from the penalty spot.

Midfielder Teko Modise put the World Cup host ahead in the 18th minute with a retaken spot kick. David Ospina saved Modise's initial effort, but was judged to have moved too early.

Giovanni Moreno equalized three minutes later for the South Americans when he converted a penalty after Adrian Ramos was fouled by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

But striker Katlego Mphela sealed a confidence-boosting win for South Africa in front of 75,000 jubilant fans in Soweto as he sent Ospina the wrong way in the 58th with the game's fourth penalty kick.

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Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira gave English Premier League pair Steven Pienaar and Benni McCarthy their first runout in a World Cup warmup and both players received raucous receptions from the home crowd as second-half substitutes.

South Africa went ahead after Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner bounced awkwardly in front of Colombia's goal and struck defender Cristian Zapata's hand.

Modise's first penalty was pushed away as Ospina dived to his right but Modise was given another chance by Kenyan referee Langat Samwel Kipngetich - despite protests from Ospina and captain Mario Yepes - and scored with his second attempt.

Colombia hit back immediately as Moreno played in Ramos, who was sent flying by Khune just inside the area. Moreno coolly tucked away the chance.

Despite the setback for the home team, its fans continued to sing, chant and wave flags and blow on their vuvuzela trumpets in celebration of the stadium's first international - a Mexican wave also went around the 94,000-seat stadium with South Africa just two weeks away from World Cup kickoff and its tournament opener against Mexico.

Pienaar, the Everton midfielder and host country's best player, was introduced at halftime by Parreira. McCarthy was also sent on for his first workout midway through the second half.

Before McCarthy's arrival, however, South Africa edged ahead again when Tshabalala was dragged down in front of goal and Mphela, who had set up Tshabalala, swept home from the spot.

Bafana substitute goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs then produced two superb saves in the final 10 minutes from striker Hugo Rodallega to see South Africa to victory.

Parreira's team plays Guetamala next, on Monday, before a final warmup against Denmark on June 5.

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