DATE=06/02/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-290427

TITLE=WORLD CUP-GROUP B (S)

BYLINE=PARKE BREWER

DATELINE=SEOUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: At football's (soccer's) World Cup competition, the four teams in Group B played their opening matches Sunday in South Korea. V-O-A Sports Editor Parke Brewer is in Seoul with the results.

TEXT: A 90th minute penalty kick by Quinton Fortune gave South Africa a two to two draw against Paraguay (in Busan).

Paraguay held two to nothing in the game on a 39th minute header by Roque Santa Cruz off a free-kick, and a well-placed free-kick by Francisco Arce in the 55th minute. But an own goal by Paraguay's Estanislao Struway put South Africa on the scoreboard in the 63rd minute. The late penalty was called against Paraguayan goalie Ricardo Tavarelli, who dove to try to save a shot, but his outstretched arm tripped South African Sibusio Zuma. Fortune connected from the spot, and the game ended moments later at two to two.

South African coach Jomo Sono said his team's fitness was key.

// SONO ACT //

We knew with the weather here (during) the second half, they (the Paraguayans) would start dying (getting very tired). And we put pressure on them, pressure on them, pressure on them. We knew that they would start losing energy, which happened They started losing energy, and there were holes (in Paraguay's defense) all over the place.

// END ACT //

In the late Group B game (in Gwangju), Spain beat World Cup newcomer Slovenia, three to one. (Signed)

NEB/SPTS/PARKE/SAB