THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013 SPORTS Spain slips to loss in South Africa JOHANNESBURG: Spain’s return to the stadium where it won the World Cup was spoiled Tuesday as Bernard Parker’s second-half goal gave South Africa a shock 1-0 win over the world and European champi- on. Spain was subdued - and possibly tired after its friendly in Equatorial Guinea three days ago - and only really threatened in the dying minutes of the interna- tional friendly when substitutes Santi Cazorla and Koke were denied by saves from Itumeleng Khune at FNB Stadium, the venue formerly known as Soccer City and where Spain celebrated its finest football moment three years ago. The World Cup holder started with Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta in midfield and David Villa and Fernando Llorente up front, but South African striker Parker converted one of few clear-cut chances in the game when he collected a neat one-two just to the left of goal and his chip bounced up off goalkeeper Victor Valdes and into the net in the 56th minute. “I’m the happiest man in the world. I scored against the world champions,” Parker said. The result gave Spain some food for thought just over six months ahead of its World Cup defense in Brazil, and brightened the mood for South Africa, which failed to qualify for the World Cup at its first attempt since hosting the showcase tournament. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was gracious in SOWETO: South Africa midfielder Lerato Chabangu (left) vies with Spain’s midfielder Sergio defeat, warmly congratulating his counterpart Gordon Busquets during a friendly football match. — AFP Igesund with a smile and an embrace. As Spain’s play- ers slipped away, the South Africans made the most of gave to Spain three years ago. and it nearly backfired when Valdes went down their first ever victory over Spain, celebrating in the Spain dominated possession in its typically patient injured in the last 20 minutes and defender Alvaro dressing room with South African President Jacob and measured style, but couldn’t find a decisive cut- Arbeloa had to briefly fill in as goalkeeper. After a few Zuma. Zuma hugged and shook hands with Igesund ting edge, while South Africa skipper Khune was in minutes, the host allowed Spain to make an extra as players recorded the moment on their cellphones. good form in goal. He smothered an early chance for change and bring on Pepe Reina. The Spanish squad also brought the World Cup Villa in the 25th minute, while Llorente sent a header Spain’s two best chances of forcing a draw came in trophy with them, putting it on display on a pedestal wide two minutes later. Del Bosque introduced all six injury time, first when Khune denied Cazorla and then on the pitch ahead of kickoff while midfielder Alonso of his substitutes, Victor Valdes, Alvaro Negredo, Jesus when the goalkeeper dived across full length to his thanked South Africa for the joy the tournament title Navas, Juan Mata, Cazorla and Koke, in the second half left to palm away an effort from Koke. — AP Africa hopes high for World Cup showing ABUJA: African pride is at stake at next year’s World And if the Cameroon Football Federation can steer Didier Drogba has another shot at international glory Cup in Brazil with four of the continent’s five qualifiers clear of high-profile dramas and focus on preparing after it again fell short of winning the Nations Cup in out to make amends for flopping at South Africa 2010. the team adequately, they would most certainly February. Ghana were the continent’s standard bearers four improve on their last showing. The Ivorians boast a top-class midfield and attack, years ago, the Black Stars reaching the quarter-finals Ivory Coast will pray for luck at the draw after but will again struggle to keep out the goals as their to equal Africa’s best ever World Cup performance by being done no favors at their previous two World defence led by Liverpool ace Kolo Toure has contin- Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002. But Nigeria, Cups. The country’s ‘Golden Generation’ led by skipper ued to struggle. —AFP Cameroon, Algeria, and the Ivory Coast all failed to reach the last 16 and they now have a second chance MIAMI: Miami Heat guard Ray Allen (34) goes up for a shot against Atlanta Hawks to improve on their forgettable campaigns in South forward Gustavo Ayon (14) of Mexico, and center Al Horford (right) of the Dominican Africa, where the hosts also failed to escape the group Republic, during the first half of an NBA basketball game. — AP stage. While they all have something to prove, Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah believes the Black Stars are ready to take Brazil by storm. “What we have to do is Heat top Hawks to prepare well and make a mark at the World Cup. I am confident we can cause a sensation,” he predicted. “This time around teams will be wary of Ghana as a MIAMI: Chris Bosh scored 19 points, ters and scored the first seven points of threat and it will be tough, but I trust my boys and we Mario Chalmers went on a personal 9-0 the fourth. New York cut the lead to four will be ready for the challenges come June 2014.” run in a 39-second spurt of the pivotal in the final minute, but the Knicks could Appiah became the first local coach to qualify Ghana to a World Cup as the country’s two previous appear- third quarter as the Miami Heat topped never reduce the deficit to one posses- ances were secured by foreign coaches. the Atlanta Hawks 104-88 on Tuesday for sion. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks And not surprisingly after their 7-3 aggregate play- their fourth straight victory. with 25 points. Greg Monroe had 16 off win over Egypt the Ghana Football Association Bosh shot 8 of 9 for the Heat, who got points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and (GFA) have now shelved a reported plan to appoint a 17 points from Ray Allen and 13 from Andre Drummond added 13 points and foreign coach. LeBron James. A 15-2 run in the third 11 boards. The Black Stars will be a stronger force in Brazil quarter gave Miami all the room it need- than they were three years ago as they will now have ed, even on a night when Dwyane Wade WIZARDS 104, TIMBERWOLVES 100 Chelsea ace Michael Essien, who missed 2010 through sat out to rest. Mike Scott scored 15 Bradley Beal scored 25 points, and injury, as well as some exciting additions like Christian Atsu, Majeed Waris and Mubarak Wakaso. Fatau Dauda points and grabbed 10 rebounds for John Wall added 14 points and equalied from South African club Orlando Pirates has helped Atlanta, which got 12 points apiece from his career high with 16 assists as with their goalkeeping problems, while they now Al Horford and Pero Antic. Washington beat Minnesota to end a boast several options to score goals besides skipper Atlanta’s Kyle Korver made three 3- four-game losing streak. Martel Webster’s Asamoah Gyan. Unlike Ghana, African champions pointers, extending his streak to 84 con- 3-pointer with 42 seconds to play gave Nigeria have never lacked fire power, but they have secutive games with at least one make the Wizards a 100-98 lead. Beal added continued to struggle playing as a team. from beyond the arc, five shy of match- two free throws with 12.9 seconds left to Fenerbache striker Emmanuel Emenike has proved ing Dana Barros’ NBA record. make it 102-98. to be a reliable goal poacher since he top scored at Webster had 17 points, including five this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, while Ahmed Musa, ROCKETS 109, CELTICS 85 3-pointers. Kevin Love led the Obinna Nsofor, Victor Moses and Brown Ideye have weighed in with their own fair share of goals. Terrence Jones scored a career-high Timberwolves with 25 points and 11 Coach Stephen Keshi has once again an array of 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to rebounds, and Kevin Martin, who was stars to call upon for the World Cup outside the squad lead Houston over Boston for its third averaging 24.4 points, was held to 11. of players who qualified the country to Brazil 2014. straight victory. Jones was 10 of 12 from However, Nigeria’s biggest undoing remains getting the field as the Rockets shot 57 percent KINGS 107, SUNS 104 these different individual talents to play as a unit, but BELGIUM: Japan’s forward Shinji Okazaki (left) vies with Belgium’s defender Jan as a team, including 72 percent in the DeMarcus Cousins had 27 points and Keshi will have a longer training camp before the Vertonghen during the friendly football match. —AFP first half in building a 24-point halftime 12 rebounds, helping Sacramento rally World Cup to blend his team. lead. past Phoenix. Rookie Ben McLemore had They would also need to work on a suspect Patrick Beverley chipped in 16 points, a season-high 19 points, Isaiah Thomas defence, and that may well explain why Keshi has said he is open to a return of experienced skipper Joseph Japan shock Belgium James Harden added 15 points, five also scored 19, Greivis Vasquez added 11 Yobo, who has been frozen out since the Nations Cup. rebounds and five assists, and Dwight and Patrick Patterson 10 for the Kings, “We have a group of talented players and I expect us BRUSSELS: Keisuke Honda led Japan to a 3-2 when Japan reached the second round in the World Howard had 10 points and 11 rebounds who had lost seven of their previous to go a long way in Brazil next year,” said Celtic comeback victory over heavily favored Belgium in a Cup it co-hosted with South Korea, Japan goalkeep- as the Rockets raced out to a 17-point, eight.