South Africa, Czech Republic keep hopes alive after 1-1 draw

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Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.

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Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.

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But Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.

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Both sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday.

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South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.

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Both sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends.

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Patrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute when he planted a header wide.

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Miroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead.

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Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.

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Now in their fourth attempt, South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.

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Hugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge five years ago.

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The 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Their return to the global stage has exposed a lack of quality, though, particularly in forward areas.

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The Czechs were left to rue not making more of their chances to kill the game off early in the second half.

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Vladimir Darida took too long to get his shot off with a big chance before Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.

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There were thousands of empty seats on show at the futuristic home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those that were in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.

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The majority of the crowd were backing South Africa and finally had something to cheer seven minutes from time.

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Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unfortunate Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, part of an all-female officiating team, pointed to the spot.

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Mokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup goal in 16 years.

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They came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.

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But both sides had to settle for a point that could yet prove vital come the end of Wednesday’s final Group A games.

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