SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw against Czechia in a Group A match at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday, denying the Czechs a win they had looked capable of holding for most of the game.
Czechia took the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek and protected the lead for more than 75 minutes before a handball by substitute Pavel Šulc inside the area handed South Africa a way back into the match. Mokoena drove his spot kick low into the corner to level the score and keep South Africa's tournament hopes alive.
It was a bitter result for Czechia, which had made five changes from the side beaten 2-1 by South Korea and looked capable of managing the match after its early goal. Miroslav Koubek's side found early success through a compact defensive shape and direct attacks led by Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek, but its inability to add a second goal left the door open.
South Africa, managed by Hugo Broos, moved away from the five-man defensive shape used in its opening loss to Mexico and played with greater presence in midfield. Iqraam Rayners led the attack, while Mokoena and Jayden Adams gave South Africa a stronger platform in central areas.
The change gave South Africa more possession, but not enough cutting edge. For long stretches, the team moved the ball without seriously testing Czech goalkeeper Matěj Kovář, and Czechia appeared on course to claim the three points it badly needed.
The match turned in the 83rd minute, when the ball struck Šulc's arm inside the penalty area and referee Tori Penso pointed to the spot. Mokoena stepped up and finished calmly, rescuing a point for South Africa.
The goal came with a cost. Mokoena had been booked in the 32nd minute, his second yellow card of the tournament, ruling him out of South Africa's final group match against South Korea. For a side already short on attacking sharpness, losing its most influential midfielder is a significant blow.
Both teams now sit on one point after two matches. Czechia will likely need to beat Mexico in its final group fixture to keep any realistic hope of advancing. South Africa faces a similar task against South Korea, but will have to do it without Mokoena.
The draw also sharpened the stakes for South Korea and Mexico, who both entered their second Group A match on three points.
South Korea faces Mexico later Thursday in Guadalajara, Friday morning at 10 a.m. in South Korea (0100 GMT). A win would move South Korea to six points and secure its place in the round of 32, regardless of the final matchday results.
For South Korea, the Atlanta result did not settle qualification. But it made the route clearer: a win over Mexico would send South Korea into the round of 32.
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