Bernard Parker atoned for his infamous clearance in South Africa's FIFA Confederations Cup opening game and gave his team a deserved 2-0 win over New Zealand on Wednesday. In South Africa's previous match, the 23-year-old came in the wrong place at the wrong time to prevent his team from securing a late win over Iraq. Katlego Mashego came very close to heading home and giving South Africa a late victory over the Lions of Mesopotamia, but Parker inadvertently cleared the ball off the line while darting towards the goal. But the Bafana Bafana striker made up for his mistake by scoring either side of the interval, to hand minnows New Zealand their second defeat and oust them from the global competition. Parker opened the scoring on 21 minutes, and added the second eight minutes from the hour mark. Now South Africa are in Group A second place with 4 points, and they will face Spain in their last group stage match. Iraq, who lost 1-0 to Spain earlier on Wednesday, lie third with a sole point, and they will take on New Zealand in their upcoming match. Superior
The hosts were obviously superior from the very beginning, and managed to carve out a multitude of chances throughout the game. Teko Modise tried his luck from long range only after four minutes, but his effort only indicated that South Africa were in business. Steven Pienaar had another chance from wide range, but New Zealand keeper Glen Moss blocked his drive. Parker notched the opener after latching onto Modise's deft past and going one-on-one with the keeper. The All Whites, who were thrashed 5-0 to Spain in their previous game, couldn't pose any threat on their opponents in return. In the second period, Joel Santana's men kept the upper hand and sought to double their slender lead. After a couple of wasted opportunities, Parker widened New Zealand's misery after connecting with Modise's left cross. South Africa tightened their grip on the game afterwards, and their opposition could nearly touch the ball till the final whistle.
