South Africa’s Thapelo Maseko celebrates with teammates after they’re awarded a penalty for a handball by the Czech Republic’s Pavel Sulc. — Reuters
ATLANTA: Teboho Mokoena’s penalty stored South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout phases for the primary time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.
Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on the right track for simply their second World Cup win as an unbiased nation.
However Mokoena’s late spot-kick stored each groups within the hunt for the final 32, though they are going to virtually definitely need to win their last Group A fixture to advance.
Each side transfer onto one level, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off afterward Thursday.
South Africa subsequent face South Korea, whereas the Czech Republic tackle the daunting job of taking part in Mexico within the Estadio Azteca.
Each side began with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, however the Czechs rapidly set about making amends.
Patrik Schick is the most important identify in a Czech aspect missing the star high quality of earlier generations however the Bayer Leverkusen ahead missed a wonderful likelihood inside the primary minute when he planted a header broad.
Miroslav Koubek’s males solely needed to wait one other 5 minutes to take the lead.
Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the trail of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball previous Ronwen Williams.
Now of their fourth try, South Africa have by no means progressed past the group stage on the World Cup.
Hugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking cost 5 years in the past.
The 2010 hosts had not certified for the World Cup since 2002 however completed third on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Their return to the worldwide stage has uncovered a scarcity of high quality, although, notably in ahead areas.
The Czechs have been left to rue not making extra of their possibilities to kill the sport off early within the second half.
Vladimir Darida took too lengthy to get his shot off with a giant likelihood earlier than Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.
There have been 1000’s of empty seats on present on the futuristic house of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, however those who have been in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.
The vast majority of the group have been backing South Africa and eventually had one thing to cheer seven minutes from time.
Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unlucky Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, a part of an all-female officiating workforce, pointed to the spot.
Mokoena confidently drilled house the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup objective in 16 years.
They got here near a second 5 minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.
However each side needed to accept a degree that might but show important come the tip of Wednesday’s last Group A video games.
