McCarthy creates Scotland's opener.

By Jon West, PA Sport at the Hong Kong Stadium

Scotland suffered their fourth defeat in a row as they went down 2-0 to World Cup-bound South Africa in Hong Kong.

The Scots have lost all four games under new coach Berti Vogts but had the consolation of putting in a much more competitive performance than the jet-lagged showing in South Korea last week.

This was the opening of the Reunification Cup tournament and the German must now wait until Thursday to see if the first win of the new regime can be recorded against a Hong Kong League XI.

After seeing his young side overrun in Busan last week, Vogts made changes to both personnel and formation.

He switched to a more defensive arrangement featuring Gary Caldwell as a third centre back, with the trio protected by wing-backs.

It was immediately a more solid start and there was an early chance for Sunderland's Kevin Kyle, who was making his first start for his country.

The big striker headed a Scot Gemmill free-kick just over and it would not be the last time his height caused the South Africans problems.

Strike partner Scott Dobie again looked impressive and almost gave the Scots the lead in the 25th minute.

Gareth Williams began the move with a clever flick over an opponent and Allan Johnston was able to put Maurice Ross away in space down the left.

Williams flicked on his low ball in to the box and Dobie was on to it before goalkeeper Hans Vonk - only to divert the ball just wide.

The Scots were looking far more compact but at times were finding it difficult to get the ball off the technically-gifted and fast-moving Africans.

Bleached-blond Sibusiso Zuma, who stars for FC Copenhagen, was causing the most problems although he and his team-mates were finding it difficult to get their shots on target.

Johnston was booked for felling Zuma from behind and while the South African was off the field getting treatment his team-mates opened the scoring just after the half hour mark.

Benni McCarthy fired the free kick into the wall but when Tebogo Makoena challenged for the loose ball local referee Chan Siu Kee ruled David Weir had fouled him on the edge of the area.

It had looked a harsh award and when McCarthy beat the wall with the free-kick, goalkeeper Rob Douglas was able to dive and parry - although Makoena was first to the loose ball to slot home the opener.

The Scots rallied and began to cause trouble from set-pieces. First Kyle headed a Gemmill corner over and then Dobie, who had won the flag kick himself, did the same from an even better position.

Then, a minute before the break, Kyle came even closer from virtually under the crossbar when Vonk misjudged the length of a Williams free-kick.

Caldwell was replaced by Lee Wilkie at the break and the Dundee defender immediately looked comfortable in his first taste of international action.

He made three good challenges straight away and within five minutes Scotland were denied an equaliser by the crossbar.

Dobie did superbly to dissect the African defence with a throughball to put Kyle through and Vonk was helpless as the Sunderland man lofted the ball over him - only to see it bounce back off the woodwork.

The Scots made a change on the hour, with James McFadden of Motherwell earning his first cap by replacing Johnston.

A second change was not long in coming, with Graham Alexander replacing Robbie Stockdale.

Kyle won a corner and Gemmill again found the head of Dobie but this time the goalkeeper was able to catch his effort.

At the other end, Bradley Carnell found McCarthy in space in the box but, after taking a touch, the striker's finish was wastefully wide.

Scott Severin replaced Williams in midfield as the game meandered to a conclusion in the muggy conditions.

There was time for another late change with Michael Stewart coming on for Gemmill with five minutes remaining.

McCarthy did liven up the final minutes with a fizzing long-ranger that beat Douglas but went wide.

The Scots almost produced a stunning late equaliser when Vonk could punch only as far as Maurice Ross, who attempted to chip him from some 35 yards.

The ball was heading towards the net until Vonk back-tracked to tip over at the last minute.

McFadden's corner caused problems and Christian Dailly appeared to get a touch in a crowded box only to see Vonk collect his header.

The Scots were desperate to get that equaliser but ended up getting caught on the break when substitutes Delron Buckley and George Koumantarakis combined.

The former sent the latter through in stoppage time and George Koumantarakis' finish, a low slotted effort past Douglas, was assured.