Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
10 days before their first FIFA World Cup match against Mexico, South Africa did not know if they would even travel to the tournament. Administrative failures and visa delays had indefinitely grounded the team, sending their preparations into a spiral even before they reached the shores of North America.
The lack of preparation showed when South Africa played the tournament opener against Mexico. Two of their players were shown red cards – first Sphephelo Sithole for a last-man challenge, and then Themba Zwane for striking a Mexican player in the face. The offence was deemed serious enough for FIFA to hand Zwane a three-match ban.
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FIFA WORLD CUP: South Korea vs South Africa Highlights
In the very first game itself, South Africa’s campaign seemed to be crashing down.
Instead of letting that result dictate their fate, Bafana Bafana, known for their fighting spirit, stood up and took stock of the situation. They put in two solid performances against Czechia and South Korea to achieve their first-ever qualification to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.
South Africa were not given much of a chance ahead of the tournament. Fair enough, many would say, given that they had not even qualified for the last three editions.
But Hugo Broos’ South Africa could not care less.
They dug deep against Czechia and earned a 1-1 draw, keeping their hopes of qualification alive.
Bafana Bafana then showed their flair on Thursday, June 25, in their final group-stage game. Knowing that a win would send them into history, South Africa repeatedly attacked down the right flank and looked threatening every time they moved forward.
They were forced to survive a really energetic start from South Korea, who looked the more likely side to score early.
Put under pressure, the Rainbow Nation slowed the game down in midfield, picked the pockets of opposition attackers, and launched heavy counter-attacks.
After missing a host of chances, the breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute when Thapelo Maseko dribbled into the box and calmly slotted the ball through the legs of the Korean defender.
South Africa finished with 14 shots, four on target, and gradually took control after the early pressure. Yaya Sithole, sent off in the opening game, returned to put in a really strong performance against Son Heung-min’s side.
South Africa reverted to a six-man defensive line in the closing minutes of the game, heading and clearing everything that South Korea threw into the box through their wing-backs.
South Korea’s star Son Heung-min came on at half-time but barely influenced the attack. His short passing sequences lacked connection with the players around him, as Korea tried to dominate through pace on the wings and quick combinations through midfield.
But in doing so, errors crept into their midfield structure, and they eventually lost control of the match.
In the second half especially, South Korea showed a lack of urgency – something that was criticised by the commentators on the broadcast.
With the defeat, Korea’s fate now rests in the hands of other teams. But with a goal difference of -1, their chances of progressing beyond the group stage look slim.
MEXICO STAY PERFECT IN FIFA WORLD CUP
Meanwhile, Mexico wrapped up a perfect group-stage campaign at the FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 win over Czech Republic on Thursday, completing three wins from three and ending the European side’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Already assured of top spot in Group A before kick-off, the co-hosts showed no signs of easing off. Despite rotating their side and handing opportunities to fringe players, Mexico produced another controlled performance and finished the group stage with maximum points.
For much of the opening half, however, the game lacked urgency. Czech Republic, needing a result to stay alive, began brighter and nearly found an early breakthrough through Denis Visinsky, who dragged his effort wide after finding space inside the box.
Mexico struggled to create clear openings and had to wait until the 35th minute for their first real attempt, with defender Israel Reyes trying an ambitious overhead kick that drifted harmlessly away.
The match changed completely after the break.
Mexico finally broke through in the 55th minute when Luis Romo threaded a clever pass into the run of full-back Mateo Chavez, who surged into the box and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
Six minutes later, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora produced the moment of the night. The youngster drove through midfield and slipped a precise ball into Jorge Sanchez, whose effort caused chaos in the area before Julian Quinones reacted quickest to score his second goal of the tournament.
The celebrations only grew louder when veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came on late for his 154th international appearance and sixth FIFA World Cup.
Alvaro Fidalgo then added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, smashing home from distance to seal Mexico’s most convincing performance yet and send them into the Round of 32 with serious momentum.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
