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Results Based News

Spain book semi-final place

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 19/06/2009

Spain made it two wins out of two at the Confederations Cup and booked their place in the semi-finals following a 1-0 victory over Iraq in South Africa.

David Villa's 30th international goal gave the European champions and online betting favourites a narrow but deserved victory.

The Valencia striker headed home Joan Capdevila's second-half cross after Spain had missed a host of clear-cut chances during the opening period.

In-form Spain are now just one win behind Brazil's record of 35 consecutive unbeaten matches.

Elsewhere in the tournament, South Africa were comfortable 2-0 winners over New Zealand.

Bernard Parker scored both goals as the hosts took a major step towards the semi-finals.

South Africa's hopes of progressing had been in the balance following an opening goalless draw with Iraq.

Meanwhile, North Korea are the latest nation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup following a goalless draw in Saudi Arabia.

Iran's failure to defeat South Korea earlier in the day meant that North Korea needed only one point from their trip to Riyadh.

They now join Australia, South Korea and Japan as Asia's four automatic qualifiers for next summer's finals.

In athletics, Usain Bolt sent out a warning to the rest of his 100 metre rivals after clocking a wind-assisted fastest time in the world this year at the IAAF Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava.

The Jamaican Olympic champion's time of 9.77 seconds was faster than the world record set by Bolt's fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell in 2005.

However, that mark will still stand as the wind was a fraction over the legal limit.

British interest in tennis' Aegon International in Eastbourne ended at the second-round stage on Wednesday.

British number two Alex Bogdanovic lost a close encounter in five sets - 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) - to second seed Dmitry Tursunov.

Meanwhile, James Ward was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 by Canada's Frank Dancevic.

In the doubles, Jamie Murray and Israeli partner Jonathan Erlich lost 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 10-7 to Bruno Soares and Kevin Ullyett.

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