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2002 World Cup - South Africa 2 Zimbabwe 1

First Published: May 06, 2001

South Africa now need just one more point to reach the 2002 World Cup finals.

Goals from Shaun Bartlett and Benny McCarthy gave South Africa their fourth win in a row and they now lead their section by six points from Zimbabwe after their 2-1 win at Soccer City just outside Johannesburg. Bartlett scored one and made the other and hit his 23rd goal for South Africa in the 17th minute. A snap shot from Benny McCarthy was deflected into the Charlton player's path and he side-footed the ball in.  McCarthy missed an open goal in the 37th minute after a great run from Quinton Fortune saw Zimbabwe goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi rounded but Manchester United player Fortune crossed for McCarthy to try and head in but he missed the target.

But two minutes later McCarthy scored the decisive goal when Bartlett crossed over an indecisive Zimbabwe defence and the Celta Vigo forward scored from close range hitting the ball through the legs of tam mate Pierre Issa with him standing in an offside position in the goal mouth but the goal was awarded anyway.

South Africa almost scored two more goals with shots against the frame of the goal but Peter Ndlovu reduced the deficit with a 57th minute penalty. Zimbabwe striker Tauya Mrewa was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Frankie Schoeman which later proved to have been outside the area on television replays but the spot kick was awarded.

Source:  WSN.com