McCarthy (centre) - scored both goals

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Benni McCarthy came off the bench to lead South Africa to a 2-0 win over Turkey at the Hong Kong Stadium today to claim the Reunification Cup.

The Celta Vigo striker scored both goals as South Africa edged out their European rivals to gain a fillip on the eve of their World Cup campaign.

McCarthy, brought on along with Sibusiso Zuma in what proved an inspired substitution by coach Jomo Sono after 56 minutes, scored with his first touch and then sealed victory in the last minute.

With Bafana Bafana struggling to make much headway, Sono swapped FC Copenhagen star Zuma and McCarthy for debutant Steven Pienaar and Siyabonga Nomvete respectively.

The two replacements combined almost straight away to score the opener.

Zuma received a pass wide on the right, burst into the Turkey box before pulling the ball back to McCarthy, who was waiting near the penalty spot.

Never one to wait for a second invitation, McCarthy hammered the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal in national colours since early January.

His second goal, however, was marred by controversy.

After being injured, McCarthy was stretchered off the field for treatment.

He came on at the order of the referee and his official, and just as he was running on to the field, George Koumantarakis flicked the ball into his path.

McCarthy then twisted and turned his way past two Turkish defenders before slotting home the second.

The Turkish bench and players protested in vain against the goal.

It was a good win for the South African team whose starting line-up showed eight changes to the side that started in the 2-0 win over Scotland on Monday.

Sono said afterwards he wanted to give the other players a chance to stake a claim in the starting line-up for the World Cup.

While he switched most of his team, Sono decided to stick with his defence of Lucas Radebe, Pierre Issa and Bradley Carnell, although he was forced to leave out the injured Aaron Mokoena.

Radebe made a record-equalling 66th appearance and his experience came to the fore during the first few minutes of the match as Turkey started in determined fashion.

But while they dominated proceedings and impressed with the way they varied their game from short passes and slow build-up to long punts and quick breaks, Turkey failed to make their advantage count.

And as the match wore on, frustration crept into the Europeans' game with the effect that their passes went astray and Hakan Sukur lashed out at team-mates who made him run into spaces without sending him the ball.

The South Africans on the other hand began combining well with left-winger Delron Buckley creating chances for speedy forward Siyabonga Nomvete.

On 39 minutes Buckley sent through a good pass for Nomvete, but the Udinese striker turned the wrong way away from goalkeeper Rustu Recber and eventually lost possession.

But Bafana soon won the ball back and Molefe put Nomvete back in again but his shot went wide.

It was Turkey who had the last attempt of the half when Ajax's Pienaar lost possession on the left flank.

However, Okan Buruk - faced with only goalkeeper Andre Arendse who was playing in his 50th match - shot way over the bar.