A superb Scott Chipperfield goal earned Australia a 1-1 draw with South Africa in a lively friendly in Durban on Wednesday.
The second-half substitute for Danny Tiatto struck after 71 minutes, pouncing on a headed clearance from Quinton Fortune and slamming the ball over recalled goalkeeper Calvin Marlin into the roof of the net.
It was the first draw in six clashes between the great sporting rivals since South Africa returned to international football in 1992 after three decades of racism-induced isolation. Australia have won thrice and South Africa once.
South Africa began impressively, took an 11th-minute lead through Benni McCarthy and should have been further ahead at half-time before a 20 000-strong crowd.
A virtually full-strength South African team wasted several chances after neat passing carved holes in an Australian team lacking several first choices, including English Premiership stars Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
After spending long periods defending with a 4-5-1 formation, Australia pushed forward as the second half progressed and almost snatched a late victory after a comical mix-up by Bafana Bafana.
McCarthy struck with a left-foot half-volley after a brilliant build-up featuring overlapping fullback Cyril Nzama and midfielders Steven Pienaar and Fortune.
Giant Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer parried a close-range Pienaar shot at the expense of a corner before Calvin Marlin saved South Africa at the other end, blocking two attempts by the impressive Brett Emerton.
More slick passing almost created another chance for South Africa just after half-time, but impressive midfielder Benedict Vilakazi became over-ambitious and surrendered possession on the edge of the penalty area.
Emerton came close before Vilakazi squandered a gilt-edge opportunity, firing at Schwarzer from point-blank range when an angled shot would surely have put Bafana further ahead.
Switzerland-based Chipperfield snatched a memorable equaliser before fullback Thabiso Rammile rescued South Africa, clearing hastily at the expense of a corner after hesitancy between Marlin and several defenders.
New cap Sandile Ndlovu, the leading scorer in the South African Premiership who replaced veteran striker Shaun Bartlett midway through the second half, came close to snatching a stoppage-time winner.
But after squeezing in front of his Australian marker, the tall striker headed a Sibusiso Zuma cross narrowly wide. — AFP
