JOHANNESBURG // Some days you just know that luck is not on your side. But even Iraq's relieved defenders must be wondering this morning what South Africa's Bernard Parker has done to deserve the cruel twist of fate that kept the opening game of the Confederations Cup goalless last night.
Bora Milutinovic's side ended the match with a very creditable draw against the hosts and a platform on which to build for their next two group-stage games, against Spain and New Zealand. But how Bafana Bafaana did not end the night as victors is one of life's mysteries.
They looked certain to score with 10 minutes to go when Thembinkosi Fanteni's stooping header from a deep cross raced towards the net with the goalkeeper beaten.
But astonishingly Parker, in his attempts to follow up the effort, got in the way and as the ball hit him on the back it effectively produced a goal-line clearance that Iraqi defenders could not have bettered.
In the end though both teams had something to be pleased about from a combative draw.
South Africa, who have failed to qualify for next year's African Cup of Nations, gave glimpses of their promise with a rousing finish which had a packed house swaying, swinging and sounding their horns.
And Iraq, who failed to even reach the final stages of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, begun their revival with a disciplined performance in which they stifled South Africa in the first half and then defended doggedly after the break.
Ever since their 2007 Asian Cup triumph, when Younis Mahmoud scored the winning goal that broke Saudi hearts, there has been a new level of expectation in Iraq that the team has found difficult to deal with.
But with an average age of just 24 years and eight months, their squad does still have promise as midfielder Nashat Akram, who has just earned himself a move to FC Twente in Holland, insisted afterwards.
He said: "It was good for us to take one point. We got our tactics right and we did very well. The next game is very tough because Spain are such a good team. But we've made a good start and we want to get to the semi-finals."
The Iraqis looked comfortable in a tentative first half in which neither side was able to gain the upper hand, although Macbeth Sibaya came very close with a swirling shot that was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid who had an excellent match.
But the visitors found it more difficult after the break as South Africa, with Modise becoming more influential, dominated possession and went close through Parker, Fanteni and Kallego Mashego. And then came Parker's nightmare moment.
"I felt so bad for him," said Modise. "He is only a young lad and he was substituted straight away afterwards. But all the team have spoken to him and I think he's a strong person, he'll come back and so will we."
sports@thenational.ae
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
