BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa:

A controversial re-fereeing decision not to award Jamaica a goal after a shot from striker Dane Richards appeared to have crossed the goal line; coupled with two huge saves by goalkeeper, Dwayne Miller, highlighted a goalless draw between the Reggae Boyz and South Africa, in their friendly international at Free State Stadium last night.

It was the fourth tied result between the nations in as many internationals. Previously, they had drawn 1-1 in 1999 in Kingston, 0-0 on Cape Town in 2003 and 3-3 at the Los Angeles Coliseum at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, when South Africa played as a guest team.

Jamaica's coach, Theodore Whitmore, expressed satisfaction with the result.

"I'm very happy with the 0-0 draw. That's good for us," he said.

"We played in patches, especially in the second half. I think we could've kept possession a bit more in both halves," he assessed, adding that the Reggae Boyz "gave up some chances because we weren't working as a unit. Players were misplaced at times."

His South Africa team counterpart, Carlos Alberto Parreira, was happy that they were not beaten.

"If there's any consolation today,we did not lose the game," said the Brazilian who recently returned to the helm as head coach, taking over from his countryman, Joel Santana, who had an unsuccessful run of eight losses in nine matches.

Some of the defeats came at the hands of world powers Brazil, Germany and Spain.

However, they were looking to win their first match as the bad results had placed the team under tremendous pressure, given that they will be hosting the World Cup Finals next year and fans are worrying they will be a failure as hosts.

But after playing to a similar goalless tie against Japan at the weekend, yesterday's result would not have instilled any greater degree of confidence in their team, especially as Jamaica played a passive role.

They kept at least eight players behind the ball on occasions and defended deeply, as they limited clear-cut scoring opportunities for the hosts, who had the lion's share of possession.

They were more threatening and had their most dominant spell in the first half hour, when Miller had to react quickly to make a save, six yards from goal with his leg, denying Katlego Mphela at the 10th minute following a neat combination with the mostly, ineffective Benni McCarthy.

Brilliant

Miller was at his brilliant best again at the 25th, diving full stretch to deflect a powerful free kick from Kagisho Dikgacoi, which was hit from 25 yards.

"I made two crucial saves that kept us in the game. I'm pretty pleased," remarked Miller. "It could've been better but I'm pleased, even though I'm a bit match rusty."

The custodian had not kept goal in a competitive fixture for over a month, since injuring his shoulder in a premier league fixture against Humble Lions.

Still, fairly strong defending by the Reggae Boyz against a South Africa team deficient in penetrative plays and good kicking from outside the box, made Miller's evening easier.

Jamaica, which played with one central striker, Devon Hodges who was outnumbered and found it difficult to hold up the ball for his team, sought to hit South Africa on the counter.

Through a rare stroke of genius, however, Richards - after taking a pass off Jamaica's most composed attacking player in the first half, Jermaine Johnson - made a dribble from deep midfield and cut through the heart of the South Africa defence at the 23rd minute to face goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez. The Jamaican got the ball past the goalie and it appeared to have crossed the line before Bafana Bafana's captain, Aaron Mokoena, scurried to clear.

"It was close. I thought it had scored, I was running off to celebrate," said Richards. "I'd like to see the replay."

Whitmore thought the same.

He said: "I'm almost sure that ball that Dane Richards kicked went across the line."

Came close

Jamaica went close to scoring once more in the first half when Mokoena, attempting Demar Phillips' cross, deflected the ball towards his own goal at the 19th minute. It was kept out by Fernandez's telling reflex save.

Omar Cummings, one of six Jamaican second half substitutions, got the clearest scoring chance for the remainder of the contest, but he headed a free-kick from Phillips over the bar at the 80th minute.

The subs and stoppages for injuries were major components of a very dull second half and Parreira was clearly not amused, choosing to have a go at Jamaica for what he termed negative tactics, than admit to his team's inability to break down their opponents.

"There was no second half at all. The game was difficult, it was difficult to penetrate. They played with eight or nine players behind the ball and only number five (Hodges, up front," he observed. "This team did not come with the attitude to win today, they only came to draw."

Insinuating the Jamaicans were using delaying tactics with substitutions and faking injuries, the Brazilian added, "If you squeezed the second half there wasn't 15 minutes of playing time."

Whitmore countered saying "both teams had agreed to six substitutions apiece" and they were intent on winning.

"We came here for a win. This is the national team and we've to restore some pride. Everytime we put on the national shirt we've a winning goal."