OWN CORRESPONDENT and AFP, Sydney | Sunday
SOUTH Africa has produced a major upset, shocking Brazil 3-1, to draw level on points with the South Americans in Group D of the Olympic men’s football tournament.
Substitute Siyabonga Nomvethe, who missed a string of chances in last Thursday’s defeat at the hands of Japan, rose to power the South Africans ahead in the 74th minute from fellow replacement Steve Lekoela’s cross.
Lekoela sealed victory two minutes from time, rolling the ball into an empty net after Brazilian goalkeeper Helton could only parry a shot from Daniel Matsau – another substitute.
The result means both sides have three points from two games.
Japan, who Brazil meet in their final group match on Wednesday, have six points after two wins out of two.
South Africa have an easier-looking fixture against Slovakia, who have lost both of their games so far.
Only the top two sides advance to the quarterfinals.
The game exploded into life when Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune curled a free-kick into the top corner in the ninth minute to put the South Africans ahead.
From the resultant kick-off Brazil surged down the left and Edu’s downward header from a pin-point Fabio Aurelio cross levelled the score.
Before Nomvete’s intervention the Brazilians looked like the side who would go on to win the game.
Ronaldinho was only denied by a desperate last-ditch tackle from South African captain Matthew Booth then goalkeeper Emile Baron dived bravely at the feet of Edu to deny the striker a second goal.
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