South Africa upset the odds to book their place in the knockout phase of a FIFA World Cup (WC) for the first time in their history, as a 1-0 victory over South Korea at Estadio Monterrey earned them a second place finish in Group A.
South Korea went close to taking the lead with only three minutes on the clock when Lee Kang-In’s corner found Kim Min-Jae at the near post, but the defender’s goalbound header was blocked on the line by the perfectly-positioned Aubrey Modiba.
Having almost provided an assist, Kang-In nearly gave the Taegeuk Warriors the perfect start just five minutes later when he latched onto a pass inside the area and took a touch before sending his close-range effort just wide of the right post.
The two-time Asian Cup champions lacked their trademark energy and intensity in the first half, and they had a momentary scare on the half-hour mark.
Thalente Mbata’s powerful effort from 25 yards was pushed away by Kim Seung-Gyu and straight into the path of Evidence Makgopa, whose reaction attempt was gathered at the second time of asking, with the forward appearing to have been in an offside position in any case as Bafana Bafana ended the first half on top.
Recent history suggested a goal from either side was in the offing, with the Taegeuk Warriors not having drawn any of their previous 10 matches. Oh Hyeon-Gyu’s header from a cross might have snuck into the bottom left-hand corner on the hour mark, but Ronwen Williams had time to get across and gather the ball.
Then, just moments later, the complexion of the game and indeed the group was altered completely when Tshepang Maseko's snapshot from inside the area beat a partially-unsighted Seung-Kyu at his near post to send the Bafana Bafana fans wild.
South Korea searched desperately for the goal they needed in the final 20 minutes, but a lack of creativity and quality in the final third ultimately condemned the Taegeuk Warriors to defeat which leaves their hopes of qualifying hanging by a thread.
Hong-Myung Bo’s men have now won just one of their five WC matches against African sides, while a jubilant South Africa can now look forward to their maiden appearance in the Round of 32, where they will face co-hosts Canada in California on Sunday.
