Confederations Cup: Bafana lose valiantly in an extra-time thriller with Spain

South Africa 2 - Spain 3 (AET) (Confederations Cup third-place playoff, June 28, 2009) It took 73 minutes before the deadlock was broken in the third-placed playoff although Spain had a Sergio Busquets effort chalked off early in second half. When the goal finally arrived it was Bafana Bafana who were celebrating as Katlego Mphela scored from close range converting a left wing cross. Just as the South Africans were beginning to count their chickens Dani Guiza stepped up to fire home an equaliser with three minutes on the clock. Amazingly Spain then scored an incredible second sixty seconds later, Santi played the ball out wide to Dani Guiza and the forward’s misplaced cross ended up curling into the far corner of the Bafana net. But, in almost as unbelievable a twist, one of the best moments of 2009 then played out in the 92nd minute as Katlego Mphela stepped up to thunder home an unstoppable free-kick that ripped past Casillas and forced the match into extra-time. (Second half highlights here.) South Africa pressed in the first half of extra-time while Spain had a point-blank penalty rejected, before Xabi Alonso saw his free-kick miss everyone to find the far corner in the 106th minute of the match.

Costa Rica 1 - Venezuela 0 (International Friendly, June 27, 2009) Alvaro Saborio won the match with the only goal after 39 minutes, both sides had a man sent off after the break.

Yokohama F. Marinos 1 - Gamba Osaka 2 (J-League, June 28, 2009) Gamba Osaka returned to winning ways after both Yasuhito Endo and Hideo Hashimoto capitalised on a poor clearances from home keeper Hiroki Iikura.

Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 1 - Beijing Guoan 1 (Chinese Super League, June 28, 2009) Second-placed Beijing took a first half lead through Yan Xiangchuang, but were pegged back after the break as Xu Liang levelled from the spot.

Shandong Luneng 1 - Changsha Ginde 1 (Chinese Super League, June 27, 2009) The defending champions Shandong fell behind in the first half to Liu Jianye’s 42nd minute goal, but Wang Yongpo rescued a point for the hosts 19 minutes from time.

Tianjin Teda 3 - Shenzhen Xiangxue 0 (Chinese Super League, June 27, 2009) Tianjin Taida remain in touching distance of the top spots currently holding fourth, He Yang (25), Cao Yang (63) and Mao Biao (68) got the goals to down Shenzhen on Saturday.