Abby Brammell

By Sportsmail Reporter

Up for the battle: Cape Verde Islands kept a clean sheet against Ronaldo and co


PORTUGAL 0 CAPE VERDE ISLANDS 0 Portugal's World Cup build-up took a shocking turn on Monday night as a full-strength side failed to put a goal past the Cape Verde Islands.

Ranked 117 in the world, the former Portuguese colony off the West coast of Africa pulled off one of the best results in their history


To make a bad night worse for coach Carlos Queiroz, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pedro Mendes were all booked.


Bad night: Cahill was hauled off after his poor tackle


AUSTRALIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 1

Everton's Tim Cahill was substituted in disgrace by Australia boss Pim Verbeek despite escaping with a yellow card for a horror tackle that left New Zealand's Leo Bertos injured.

The Socceroos needed a goal by Brett Holman four minutes into injury time for victory after Chris Killen put the Kiwis in front in the 16th minute. Dario Vidosix had equalized on the hour.

JAPAN 0 SOUTH KOREA 2 Manchester United's Ji-Sung Park scored a dazzling solo goal in a victory for South Korea that left Japan coach Takeshi Okada offering to quit just a fortnight away from the World Cup.

Park went past three players before smashing home a right foot shot from 20 yards, with Park Chu-young adding a late penalty. Okada said: 'I asked the (JFA) president if I should continue. He said "Yes", so I'll carry on.'

SOUTH AFRICA 1 BULGARIA 1 South Africa failed to give their World Cup prospects a boost last night as they were held to a draw by Bulgaria.

Siyabonga Sangweni put the hosts of this year's tournament in front after 20 minutes, but Ivan Stoyanov equalised for the visitors before half-time.

It was the first friendly at the newly upgraded Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg where this year's final will be played.

ARGENTINA 5 CANADA O Diego Maradona silenced his critics last night as his Argentina side strolled to a five-goal thrashing of Canada thanks to an early brace from Maxi Rodriguez.


At the double: Maxi Rodriguez scored twice as Argentina comfortably beat Canada


The controversial coach had been heavily criticised for his World Cup selection but with Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero also getting on to the scoresheet, the side will head to South Africa full of confidence, despite only just qualifying for the tournament.


source: dailymail