It’s a draw that doesn’t really help either of them: the Czech Republic and South Africa didn’t cover each other with glory in their second World Cup game either. In Atlanta the teams tied 1-1 (1-0).
Both teams didn’t really perform convincingly, but the favored Czechs were a long way closer to victory thanks to Michal Sadilek’s lightning goal in the 6th minute of the game. As in the opening game against Mexico, South Africa appeared completely harmless for long stretches. Only a late hand penalty allowed Teboho Mokoena to equalize (83′).
Both teams scored their first point in the tournament and can still hope to advance on the final third matchday. In Group A, the Mexicans will meet South Korea on the night of Thursday to Friday on the second matchday (3 a.m. CEST in the live ticker).
Sadilek ice cold – Czech Republic gets off to a lightning start
After the opening defeats, both coaches rotated heavily: South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos responded with three new players, while Miroslav Koubek replaced five players in the Czech Republic. The changes initially only affected one side: the Czech Republic got into the game perfectly.
After Patrik Schick missed his great header chance in the first minute, it was one of the five newcomers who caused the first celebration in Atlanta. Alexandr Sojka switched gears quickly and passed a cross into the penalty area with the first touch, where Sadilek stayed cool and hit the ball low into the right corner to give the Czech Republic the lead.
New to the team – and direct scorer: Michal Sadilek
Both offensive lines are looking for the gaps
No matter how energetic the Czech Republic started, the offensive drive didn’t last long. “Bafana Bafana”, on the other hand, found their way into the game after conceding a goal and quickly had an equalizer opportunity through Oswin Appollis (13th). But because the South Africans also had difficulty in possession of the ball, as they did in the defeat against Mexico, the game was not a football treat.
Both teams made inexplicable bad passes, the offensive actions were characterized by inaccuracies and sometimes wild actions – a Scorpion kick attempt to score from a distance is an example. Apart from that, there wasn’t much to see in the first half until Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar dropped a harmless cross ball and almost made it possible to equalize (45th + 4).
The South Africans’ best chance: Oswin Appollis shoots.
Darida missed the 2-0 for the Czech Republic
As in the first round, the Czechs got off to a much better start. Ex-Bundesliga professional Vladimir Darida, who at 35 is still in demand in the Czech midfield center, should have made it 2-0 after a good assist from Sadilek, but took too long to finish (47′). Now the Czech superiority was more clearly visible – if anything was going forward, it was with the team in red.
What came from South Africa? Not much else. Even after the obligatory second drinking break, which was greeted with whistles from the spectators in Atlanta, the statics of the game did not change. The question arose as to how the South Africans were supposed to equalize – the answer was a handball by the Czechs in their own penalty area.
During a long-range shot, Pavel Sulc received the ball on his bent arm, and referee Tori Penso understandably awarded a penalty. Mokoena invited Kovar and was able to celebrate the equalizer. At the end of the game, the South Africans almost used their momentum to score the winning goal, but the score remained 1-1, which the Czechs will be more annoyed about than South Africa.
The Czech Republic has to play against the co-hosts
The Czech Republic continues against co-hosts Mexico on Thursday (3 a.m. CEST) in Mexico City. South Africa will face South Korea in Monterrey at the same time. Both still have a good chance of reaching the knockout rounds with a win.