MONTERREY: South Africa reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A match on Wednesday.
Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute as Bafana Bafana secured a historic victory, having entered the match at the bottom of the group knowing only a win would keep their hopes of progression alive.
The victory saw South Africa finish as Group A runners-up and qualify for the round of 32, where they will face Group B runners-up Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. It will also be Canada’s first appearance in a World Cup knockout match.
South Africa made an energetic start despite playing in front of a largely South Korean crowd in Monterrey.
Maseko threatened early on a counterattack before defender Lee Gihyuk recovered to clear the danger, while goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu kept South Korea level before halftime with impressive saves to deny Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa.
South Korea coach Hong Myungbo made three substitutions after the break, including introducing captain Son Heungmin, in an attempt to spark his side into life.
However, South Africa struck against the run of play when substitute Teshpang Moremi raced down the left flank and delivered a low cross for Maseko, who controlled the ball before firing a left-footed shot inside the near post.
South Korea dominated possession in the closing stages but failed to create clear scoring opportunities as South Africa defended resolutely to secure a famous victory.
Maseko, aged 22 years and 225 days, became the second-youngest South African to score at a FIFA World Cup.
“It is difficult to explain what this feels like. It is a fantastic experience,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said after the match.
“We played really well and created chances. Tactically we did really well and South Korea couldn’t find the spaces they wanted. What we have done over the last five years is amazing.”
Maseko described the achievement as a dream, thanking supporters and saying the team had proved its critics wrong.
South Korea coach Hong accepted responsibility for the defeat, saying his players had given everything but failed to recover after conceding the opening goal.
South Africa captain Ronwen Williams said the team had used outside criticism as motivation.
“Everybody was against us. We used that as energy to fight today. It’s amazing what we achieved,” he said.
South Korea must now wait to learn whether they qualify for the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
