The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Benin

Jan 27 1700 GMT Benin - South Africa 0:2 (final)

Before the match:
Everything in the groups preview (new window).
Benin seem to play without their most prominent player, #10 Tchomogo.

1st half:
-the nice variation in kick off times has caught me offside
-('45) South Africa are gifted a penalty when Zuma falls at a clearance by a defender (who clearly plays the ball while getting Zuma to fall with the other leg). Nomvetes execution is too acurate: wide left

halftime 0:0
Benin has had the better beginning with two chances before South Africa got stronger, had a Nomvete header against the crossbar and a wasted penalty in the final seconds of the 1st half

2nd half:
-('48) Benin: #11 Ogunbiyi(?) sets up Latoundji who hits the crossbar
-('49) Benin, very adventurous, attack again with 7 players(!) but hit the outside of the net only
-('50) Benin: great one two between #6 Jonas and a second player plays out the South African defence, Jonas shoots directly, the keeper has no chance, but the ball goes wide by centimeters
-('52) Benin with another neat attack but a harmless shot
-the crowd is on the side of the outsiders and the squirrels seem to squirrel around faster than the South Africans can look
-But the South Africans find back into the game, it seems that the team who is in possession of the ball has a clear advantage in the game
-('56) South Africa provoke a late challenge in best position, 20 meters, almost central to the goal
-('58) after an injury timeout Zuma shoots the ball into the wall
-('60) South Africa get another free kick. this time from the left hand side, near the corner flag. A sharp cross finds Nomvete who heads it into the net - 0:1
-('63) Benin want a penalty for a handball (it seemed rather unintentional, ball against the hand) but get a yellow card
-('69) Benin #15 with a fine solo on the left hand side and a good cross but well defended
-('75) the keeper from Benin parries a shot from the edge of the penalty area
-'('76) long ball on Nomvete who has raced away from the defenders. He controls the ball perfectly and fires it into the goal from about 12 meters out - 0:2
-('80) Nomvete dangerous again, this time with a llong range effort, but wide
-('85) the match is interrupted for a few minutes after a collision involving the South African keeper

final score 0:2
Like in the Mali - Kenya game, the greater experience, class and professionalism of individuals made the difference.