South Africa march on

World Cup hosts thrash Central Americans by five goals

Last updated: 31st May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

South Africa march on

Mphela: Notched brace

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World Cup hosts South Africa thrashed Guatemala 5-0 to continue their impressive build-up to next month's finals.

Katlego Mphela netted a brace from the penalty spot as his side extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Surprise Moriri and substitute Bernard Parker were also on target at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, while the clash was also notable for captain Aaron Mokoena as he became the first South African to reach the 100 international cap landmark.

Precaution

Regular goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was left on the bench as a precaution after taking a knock to his head against Colombia last week, while Bongani Khumalo again partnered Mokoena in defence.

There were also rare starts for Lucas Thwala, Anele Ngcongca and Letsholonyane, all handed one final chance to impress Parreira ahead of the Brazilian finalising his 23-man squad on Tuesday, but striker Benni McCarthy was left on the bench as the coach opted for a five-man midfield.

Bafana Bafana started brightly in front of a packed 45,000 crowd, taking the lead just 12 minutes in when referee Ibraham Chaivu awarded a controversial penalty against Gustavo Cabrera.

The defender appeared to make contact with the ball outside the box but that did not matter to Mphela, who stepped up to score his 12th international goal.

The lead was doubled after 25 minutes when Thwala made a determined run into the box and cut the ball back for Letsholonyane to score.

Second period

Three minutes after the re-start, Moriri further extended the lead from close range after Mphela's cross.

Guatemala had a chance to pull one back after another questionable penalty was awarded for handball against Mokoena, but Guillermo Ramirez saw his tame effort blocked by Moeneeb Josephs.

Mphela grabbed his second on the 56-minute mark when Cabrera handled for a second time - this time more blatantly.

Steven Pienaar then hit the upright with a teasing 20-yard free-kick but the last say of the game belonged to Parker, who struck a fierce left-footed strike from the edge of the box beyond the helpless David Guerra after 82 minutes as South Africa ran out easy winners.