Moeneeb Josephs (7) - Had a great game and his five-star performance has enhanced his chances of being Bafana's first-choice shot stopper for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Deserved his man of the match award.
Moeneeb Josephs (7) - Had a great game and his five-star performance has enhanced his chances of being Bafana's first-choice shot stopper for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Deserved his man of the match award.
Anele Ngcongca (5) - Looked a bit jittery in the opening stages but gained confidence as the game progressed and never looked back. Must work on his crosses.
Tsepo Masilela (4) - Was more reserved in the beginning but started doing his usual overlapping in the second half, delivering some neat crosses.
Morgan Gould (4) - Formed a good combination with captain Aaron Mokoena but that can only improve the more games they play together as they get to know and understand each other better. His height gave him an advantage.
Aaron Mokoena (6) - Marshalled his defence well, considering that they were playing together for the first time as a back four. He made timely challenges and also covered for Ngcongca when the latter surged forward.
MacBeth Sibaya (5) - Did well to go back time and again to assist the back four when they were under siege. Needs to be more disciplined by avoiding late tackles.
Kagisho Dikgacoi (3) - Did not have one of his usual great games. He looked lost at times, struggled to deal with the pace and some of his passes went astray.
Siphiwe Tshabalala (5) - Created problems for Japan on the left flank. Made Bafana Bafana's only decent attempt in the 29th minute.
Teko Modise (4) - He has not been at his best in the past three months but there are signs of improvement. The man still needs to cut down on playing to the gallery when there is no need to do so.
Katlego Mphela (6) - He had a good game but must remember that he is not playing alone as soccer is about teamwork. Was always a threat to Japan
Benni McCarthy (4) - Failed to deliver on his threats of scoring. He bragged that he needed only one touch to score goals, but he had too many touches and still failed dismally to score.
Daine Klate (4) - Came on for Tshabalala in the 69th minute and tried too hard to penetrate Japan's defence with exciting moves.
Elrio Van Heerden (3) - Replaced Modise, but needs to show a sense of urgency when in possession and cut down on showboating until two or three goals have been scored by his team.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane (4) - Brought fresh legs in the engine room but it was too little, too late. Showed appetite for goals by making two attempts.
Bernard Parker (for McCarthy in the 75th minute) - did not play enough time to be rated. - Ramatsiyi Moholoa
HOW BAFANA BAFANA PLAYED
Moeneeb Josephs (7) - Had a great game and his five-star performance has enhanced his chances of being Bafana's first-choice shot stopper for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Deserved his man of the match award.
Moeneeb Josephs (7) - Had a great game and his five-star performance has enhanced his chances of being Bafana's first-choice shot stopper for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Deserved his man of the match award.
Anele Ngcongca (5) - Looked a bit jittery in the opening stages but gained confidence as the game progressed and never looked back. Must work on his crosses.
Tsepo Masilela (4) - Was more reserved in the beginning but started doing his usual overlapping in the second half, delivering some neat crosses.
Morgan Gould (4) - Formed a good combination with captain Aaron Mokoena but that can only improve the more games they play together as they get to know and understand each other better. His height gave him an advantage.
Aaron Mokoena (6) - Marshalled his defence well, considering that they were playing together for the first time as a back four. He made timely challenges and also covered for Ngcongca when the latter surged forward.
MacBeth Sibaya (5) - Did well to go back time and again to assist the back four when they were under siege. Needs to be more disciplined by avoiding late tackles.
Kagisho Dikgacoi (3) - Did not have one of his usual great games. He looked lost at times, struggled to deal with the pace and some of his passes went astray.
Siphiwe Tshabalala (5) - Created problems for Japan on the left flank. Made Bafana Bafana's only decent attempt in the 29th minute.
Teko Modise (4) - He has not been at his best in the past three months but there are signs of improvement. The man still needs to cut down on playing to the gallery when there is no need to do so.
Katlego Mphela (6) - He had a good game but must remember that he is not playing alone as soccer is about teamwork. Was always a threat to Japan
Benni McCarthy (4) - Failed to deliver on his threats of scoring. He bragged that he needed only one touch to score goals, but he had too many touches and still failed dismally to score.
Daine Klate (4) - Came on for Tshabalala in the 69th minute and tried too hard to penetrate Japan's defence with exciting moves.
Elrio Van Heerden (3) - Replaced Modise, but needs to show a sense of urgency when in possession and cut down on showboating until two or three goals have been scored by his team.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane (4) - Brought fresh legs in the engine room but it was too little, too late. Showed appetite for goals by making two attempts.
Bernard Parker (for McCarthy in the 75th minute) - did not play enough time to be rated. - Ramatsiyi Moholoa