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The Republic of South Africa earned a well-deserved 2:2 draw against Paraguay, in Busan, Sunday, with a last-minute penalty conversion by Quinton Fortune leveling the Group B opening match. South Africa were awarded the penalty after goal tender Ricardo Tavarelli felled Sibusiso Zuma in a one-on-one in the penalty area.
In a hard fought match, Paraguay took the lead in the 39th minute with a Roque Santa Cruz header from Francisco Arce's free kick, which eluded advancing goalkeeper Andre Arendse. They went two up in the 14th minute of the second half with a 25-yard free kick that Arce curled into the top left corner of the net.
South Africa pulled one back after a shot by Teboho Mokeoena was deflected by Estanislao Struway into his own goal. Though Paraguay had most of the play in the half, they were pushed onto the defensive in the closing minutes by a ferocious onslaught by the South Africans, which resulted in the penalty.
Paraguay go on to play Spain on June 7 in Jeonju, while South Africa face Slovenia on June 8 in Daegu.
(Chris price, chris@chosun.com )
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