Bafana Bafana held the Socceroos to a 1-1 draw this afternoon at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Ayanda Patosi drew first blood in the 13th minute but was soon cancelled out by Australian all-time goal scorer Tim Cahill barely a minute later.
Australia began the match with guns blazing as Senzo Meyiwa’s hands were Bafana’s ointment to the bruises the Socceroos left at the defence. Meyiwa made crucial saves within the first 10 minutes as Bafana were struggling to gather traction. Soon enough Bafana came to the party and scored within their first attack at the Australian defence. The Socceroos quickly countered with a header from Tim Cahill over Meyiwa that left Eric Mathoho to pick up the pieces but unfortunately left him nudging the ball in the net in an attempt to clear the ball.
Towards half time Bafana managed to absorb the Australian onslaught and took better control of their passes and possession.
As the second period went underway, Bongani Zungu came in for an ineffective Thuso Phala to add to Bafana’s midfield attack. Substitutions continued on both sides as most of the second half became a sparring match between the sides. Australia quickly picked up momentum but failed to convert the many chances they earned at goal. Bafana had less chances as Tokelo Rantie and Ayanda Patosi picked up slight knocks with a groin strain for the former and what looked like a hamstring pull for the latter.
Both teams played a different game in the last 10 minutes as Bafana’s counter attacks proved ineffective and the Socceroos’ venom became less potent, with 1-1 being the final result.
Bafana Bafana Starting Line-up:
Goalkeeper: Meyiwa.
Defenders: Ngcongca, Nthethe, Mathoho, Mokeke.
Midfielders: Phala, Kekana, Letsholonyane, Patosi, Serero.
Attackers: Rantie.
