Bafana held by Guatemala
2005-07-14 07:20
Houston - Bafana Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Group C whipping boys Guatemala in their final Concacaf Gold Cup first round game at the Reliant Stadium on Wednesday night, but still managed to top the group and progress to the quarter-finals.
Bafana, who also drew 3-3 against Jamaica on Sunday, finished their first-round play with a 1-0-2 record. Guatemala ended the first round with an 0-2-1 record.
Coming off a 4-0 loss to Mexico on Sunday, Guatemala took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute when Carlos Figueroa passed from the corner to Carlos Ruiz in the middle of the field.
Ruiz chipped it to Gonzalo Romero, who popped in the goal.
However, South Africa drew level on the stroke of half-time when Solace Nkosi took a pass from veteran striker Siyabanga Nomvete.
Ruiz, who plays for Dallas of the MLS, finished tied for leading scorer of the first round of Gold Cup with three goals and an assist in the three games.
Landon Donovan of the US and Luis Tejada of Panama also had three goals in the opening round of matches.
Bafana will face Panama in their quarter-final match at the Reliant Stadium on Sunday.
- AP