06/18/26 02:17:00
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06/18 14:15 CDT South Africa keeps its World Cup hopes alive with a 1-1 draw
against the Czech Republic
South Africa keeps its World Cup hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against the Czech
Republic
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- Teboho Mokoena started the game with tears in his eyes and
finished it with a smile on his face after converting a second-half penalty in
South Africa's 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on Thursday at the World Cup.
Thapelo Maseko's long range shot late in the match caught the hand of Czech
opponent Pavel Sulc in the area.
Mokoena, who was shown on camera with tears rolling down his cheeks during the
pre-game national anthem, stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his shot low
past Czech Republic goalkeeper Matej Kovar in the 83rd minute.
The South Africa midfielder said he was overwhelmed before kick off, thinking
about his late grandfather.
"I know, wherever he is, he would be proud of me," Mokoena said. "I just felt
his presence in that moment. I thought if he was here, he would be proud of me
because I know he believed in me when nobody believed in me."
Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs the lead in the sixth minute at
Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alexandr Sojka played in Sadilek and he slid a shot past
goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Both teams lost their opening matches, and both knew another setback would
seriously hinder their chances of reaching the round of 32.
South Africa faced some strong criticism following its 2-0 loss to co-host
Mexico, which raised the prospect of the country extending its run of never
having advanced to the knockout phase of a World Cup --- even as host in 2010.
"If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today I
think we have a chance to go in the second round," South Africa coach Hugo
Broos said.
South Africa will next face South Korea on Wednesday in Group A, but will be
without Mokoena, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of
the tournament.
The Czechs lost to South Korea 2-1 in their opening match and will likely need
to beat World Cup co-host Mexico in their final game on Wednesday to advance.
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Associated Press writer R.J. Rico contributed to this report.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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