Canada sunk by Modise in South Africa

DURBAN, South Africa (Ticker) - South Africa’s Teko Modise scored twice to condemn 10-man Canada to a 2-0 exhibition loss in Durban on Tuesday.

Modise, who plays for the Orlando Pirates, scored his first six minutes before half time and then capped a fine individual performance by converting from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.

Canada’s misery was complete when captain Paul Stalteri was dismissed 10 minutes before the end of the game for a second caution. Stalteri’s frustration got the better of him and he was sent off for dissent.

It was a frustrating evening for the Canadians, who had expected better after assembling all of their European-based players for the game.

In contrast, the win for the hosts gave under-fire coach Carlos Alberto Parreira some breathing space, especially after losing 1-0 to the United States in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The game started at a high pace with plenty of pressure coming from the hosts early on. Bernard Parker’s long-range effort was kept out by the legs of Lars Hirschfeld before Thembinkosi Fanteni headed Lance Davids’ near-post cross straight onto the upright.

In the 16th minute, Parker again came close with his free-kick flying inches over the crossbar.

Josh Simpson then missed an easy-chance for the visitors when he put Tomasz Radzinski’s cross wide with the goal at his mercy.

On the half-hour, Modise opted to shoot after neat play between himself and Lerato Chabangu, but again the shot was straight at Hirschfeld.

However, he made amends in the 39th minute after a scramble in the penalty area saw the ball laid-up for Modise on the edge of the penalty area. He executed a fine curling finish to put the home team ahead.

The penalty decision came six minutes later and was harsh on Canada as Stalteri was adjudged to have fouled Fanteni and Modise finished emphatically to double the home side’s lead.

After a slow start to the second half, the game burst to life in the 53rd minute, when Davids capitalized on a retreating Canadian defence and shot powerfully from 20 yards, only to see his effort parried away by Hirschfeld.

Julian de Guzman then drew a fine save from Rowan Fernandez with his shot from inside the penalty area that had to be pushed wide.

Shortly after the South African custodian was tested again when an adventurous run by Radzinski ended with a low shot

Once Stalteri had left the field, all hope of a Canadian comeback was gone, giving the South Africans some much needed confidence heading into January’s Africa Cup of Nations.