South Africa 1 - 0 Denmark: Mphela extends Parreira unbeaten run

Hosts South Africa wrapped up preparations for the World Cup with another impressive display which helped them edge out Denmark in Atteridgeville.
Katlego Mphela scored the only goal - his fourth in three matches - 14 minutes from time to ensure Carlos Alberto Parreira's team will head into their opening match against Mexico full of confidence.

The Brazilian coach named a strong starting XI, which featured at least eight certainties to start next Friday's opener at Soccer City. Itumeleng Khune, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Mphela were all in.

The Danes also played several of their big guns, including Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, midfielder Christian Poulsen of Juventus and veteran Feyenoord front-man Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Despite the quality on show, almost 30 minutes passed before the first opening. It fell to the visitors, who were well behind in the possession stakes at that stage. The chance came in the form of Jesper Gronkjaer's cross-shot from 10 yards out on the right which needed to be punched away by Khune.

From the ensuing counter-attack the lively Tshabalala floated in a perfect cross from the left on to the head of Modise, who wastefully nodded wide from close range.

Morten Olsen's men had another chance shortly after when Agger's looping header from a free-kick hit the upright and sailed wide. It was goalless at the break and after the restart Reneilwe Letsholonyane tested Stephan Andersen with a powerful 25-yard strike which forced the Brondby goalkeeper to punch away.

At the other end, Mikkel Beckmann's deflected shot from inside the box almost caught out Khune after a good run and cross by Lars Jacobsen down the right.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 76th minute when Mphela got onto the end of a defence-splitting pass from Letsholonyane and slid a low finish beyond Andersen.

Denmark tried to get back into the game, but the closest they came was when Beckmann fired straight at Khune in the final minute as the hosts extended their unbeaten run under Parreira to 12 games.