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PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The return of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and striker Benni McCarthy failed to inspire World Cup hosts South Africa in a goalless draw with Japan on Saturday.
Parreira returned last month after the firing of Brazilian compatriot Joel Santana at the end of a long losing sequence for South Africa.
He recalled McCarthy for Saturday's friendly after a 10-month absence but it was to little effect, as Japan enjoyed most of the better moments in a game of few chances.
"It was a difficult game but it's a beginning," Parreira told reporters. "It was alright but that is not good enough. It would have been good only if we had won the match."
Japan were the first side to win a place at the 2010 finals and Saturday's match was the first international played at the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, built for the tournament.
