WORLD Cup hosts South Africa continued their build-up to this summer's finals with a promising, yet ultimately disappointing 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in Johannesburg.
Thanduyise Khuboni gave Bafana Bafana the lead just before the midway point of a first half they dominated but Valeri Bojinov's 31st-minute strike pegged the home side back.
Changes after the break by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira meant the shape of the team was altered and they never looked the same in the second period.
There was plenty of enterprising passing from the South Africans early on at the Orlando Stadium, a clear indication that their recent training camps had helped create a better understanding between the players.
They had some good chances too in the opening 15 minutes - Katlego Mphela forcing Nikolay Mihaylov into a low save with his 20-yard free-kick, followed by a glancing header from the Mamelodi Sundowns striker that drifted narrowly wide.
Teko Modise, winning his 50th cap for Bafana Bafana and handed the honour of leading the team on the night, then forced the Bulgarian goalkeeper into another uncomfortable save from his 25-yard strike that was punched wide.
The pressure eventually told in the 20th minute when the deadlock was broken. Siphiwe Tshabalala created the opening with his outswinging corner to the back post, where it was headed in by the unmarked Khuboni.
After eventually waking up from their slow start, Ivelin Popov and Bojinov tested Itumeleng Khune for the first time, before the equaliser arrived.
More sloppy defence meant that former Manchester City striker Bojinov found himself on-side in the box after a mis-hit cross by Georgi Peev on the right as he easily sent the ball beyond Khune.
Five minutes before the break, Reneilwe Letsholonyane cut open the visiting defence with a driving left-footed shot that was again only parried with the two sides heading into half-time at 1-1.
Parreira made several changes at the break, with the likes of Aaron Mokoena, Tsepo Masilela and Kagisho Dikgacoi introduced, but it seemed to affect the home side going forward.
It was Bulgaria that almost went ahead before the hour mark when Dimitar Rangelov was picked out on the right, but his shot was excellently kept out by Khune.
The game disappointingly faded for the hosts thereafter - the visitors ending much stronger and looking the more likely to score - with Parreira's men having another chance to build when they come up against Colombia on Thursday.
Changes after the break by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira meant the shape of the team was altered and they never looked the same in the second period.
There was plenty of enterprising passing from the South Africans early on at the Orlando Stadium, a clear indication that their recent training camps had helped create a better understanding between the players.
They had some good chances too in the opening 15 minutes - Katlego Mphela forcing Nikolay Mihaylov into a low save with his 20-yard free-kick, followed by a glancing header from the Mamelodi Sundowns striker that drifted narrowly wide.
Teko Modise, winning his 50th cap for Bafana Bafana and handed the honour of leading the team on the night, then forced the Bulgarian goalkeeper into another uncomfortable save from his 25-yard strike that was punched wide.
The pressure eventually told in the 20th minute when the deadlock was broken. Siphiwe Tshabalala created the opening with his outswinging corner to the back post, where it was headed in by the unmarked Khuboni.
After eventually waking up from their slow start, Ivelin Popov and Bojinov tested Itumeleng Khune for the first time, before the equaliser arrived.
More sloppy defence meant that former Manchester City striker Bojinov found himself on-side in the box after a mis-hit cross by Georgi Peev on the right as he easily sent the ball beyond Khune.
Five minutes before the break, Reneilwe Letsholonyane cut open the visiting defence with a driving left-footed shot that was again only parried with the two sides heading into half-time at 1-1.
Parreira made several changes at the break, with the likes of Aaron Mokoena, Tsepo Masilela and Kagisho Dikgacoi introduced, but it seemed to affect the home side going forward.
It was Bulgaria that almost went ahead before the hour mark when Dimitar Rangelov was picked out on the right, but his shot was excellently kept out by Khune.
The game disappointingly faded for the hosts thereafter - the visitors ending much stronger and looking the more likely to score - with Parreira's men having another chance to build when they come up against Colombia on Thursday.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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