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Bafana Bafana battled to a brave 1-1 draw against the Socceroos of Australia in an international friendly match played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Monday.
The fixture was the Socceroos’ final game before they jet off to Brazil on Wednesday for the Fifa World Cup, starting on June 12.
Coming into the game as underdogs, Gordon Igesund’s side fought like wounded tigers and with a bit of luck could have stolen the match in the second half. Still the 1-1 for a team that left home with a young squad, is an achievement worth praising.
While the pitch looked heavy, both teams quickly settled down with the home team looking for an early goal. Tommy Oar saw his deflected shot pushed for a corner by Senzo Meyiwa and from the resultant corner kick, Bafana Bafana cleared the danger.
Meyiwa was again forced to make a low save moments later as the Socceroos pushed forward in search of the opening goal.
James Troisi then watched in disbelief as his shot went over the bar as the home team continued to press for an early goal.
Despite the early pressure, Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 13th min through Ayanda Patosi with a clinical finish after a delicate pass by Tokelo Rantie.
The lead didn’t last long though as the home team replied hardly a minute later through Tim Cahill although his header was helped into his own net by a desperate Erick Mathoho clearance. Meyiwa could have done better though.
Oar was proving a thorn in the flesh of the Bafana Bafana defence and forced a good save from Meyiwa who punched the shot back into play.
Matthew Leckie then made light work of the Bafana defence before Oar blasted his shot over the bar moments later as the Socceroos laid a siege on the Bafana Bafana goal.
It looked as a matter of time before the Socceroos scored again as they stretched the Bafana Bafana defence to the limit. The back four, including Meyiwa, had to wither a lot of pressure.
The home side looked dangerous going forward but having been frustrated for longer periods, Bafana Bafana gradually came back into the game and manufactured some threatening moves.
The match went into the break deadlocked at 1-1.
Patosi saw his piledriver go agonisingly wide as Bafana started brighter in the second half.
Meyiwa then came off his line to punch away a threatening cross as he increasingly grew up in confidence. The Orlando Pirates goalkeeper then came off his line as, again, the defence left him exposed.
Rantie then shot over the bar and was soon substituted by Siphelele Mthembu.
The boisterous crowd of 50 459 was becoming increasingly frustrated as Bafana Bafana thwarted the home side’s raids effectively.
Substitute Themba Zwane could have become an instant hero among the Bafana fans but his tame shot went narrowly in the 70th minute.
Mark Milligan then flashed his shot wide as the World Cup-bound Socceroos started to become desperate.
As Bafana Bafana continued to grow into confidence, Serero was put through by Letsholonyane but shot over the bar.
Ben Halloran then forced a smart save from Meyiwa following some hesitation from the Bafana Bafana backline. Oliver Bozanic could have given the home side a late winner but his header went agonisingly wide.
