TOULOUSE, June 18: Benedict McCarthy scored South Africa's first World Cup goal today to grab a 1-1 draw against Denmark in an incident-packed World Cup match which saw three sendings-off, equalling the record for a finals.All three were substitutes -- two from Denmark -- and were sent off in the second-half.
Allan Nielsen gave Denmark the lead in the Group C match when Chelsea-bound Brian Laudrup set him up with a perfectly-measured cross from the right wing. The Tottenham mid-fielder arrived unmarked at the far post to volley the ball home with his right foot in the 13th minute.
McCarthy, the new susperstar of South African soccer, scored the equaliser in the 67th minute against his soccer hero, Peter Schmeichel.
The Ajax Amsterdam forward, who earlier this week said it was his ambition to beat the Danish keeper, ran on to a delightful flick from Sean Bartlett and slotted the ball through the Manchester United goalkeeper's legs from close range.
Denmark were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minuteafter a nasty foul by substitute Miklos Molnar on Lucas Radebe. South Africa had Alfred Phiri sent off just two minutes later for elbowing Thomas Helveg in the face.
Incredibly, a third substitute -- Denmark's Morten Wieghorst -- was shown the record card with five minutes to go for a tackle on McCarthy. Only two previous games, in 1938 and 1954, have seen three players sent off.
Denmark had dominated the opening phase of the game and had several good chances to extend their lead.
Michael Laudrup sent a powerful long-range shot inches over the bar in the 16th minute and Martin Jorgensen nearly scored direct from a corner two minutes later. His kick rebounded off the post and Brian Laudrup then sent a diving header into Hans Vonk's arms.
Striker Ebbe Sand looked set to score in the 42nd minute but his curling shot from the edge of the box hit the upright.
South Africa came alive after the first quarter and they dominated the latter stages of the game after Denmark were reduced to 10 men.
The worstmiss of the match -- and possibly the tournament so far -- came when Mkhalele failed to manage the simplest of tap-ins in front of an open goal after a cross from McCarthy in the 28th minute.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
