By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has hailed Bafana Bafana’s hard-fought victory over Korea Republic, Prompt News Online reports.
Bafana Bafana earned a spot in the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup for the first time following a 1-0 victory over the Asians at the Monterrey Stadium.
Thapelo Maseko scored the winning goal for the former African champions in the 63rd minute.
South Africa had thr better chances in the first half with South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu denying Maseko, Thalente Mbatha, and Evidence Makgopa.
Korea head coach Hong Myungbo threw caution to the wind after the break, making three changes, including the introduction of talisman Son Heungmin.
The decisive moment came three minutes after the hour mark.
Against the run of play, substitute Teshpang Moremi collected the ball on the left wing, beat a defender and fizzed a ball across the top of the penalty area. Maseko controlled the ball inside toward his left foot and slotted the winning goal in at the near post.
Broos said his team deserved to win the game having created the better chances.
“It is difficult to explain what this feels like. It is a fantastic experience. We played really well and created chances,” Broos was quoted by FIFA.com.
“Tactically we did really well and Korea Republic couldn’t find the spaces that they wanted. We scored the goal and then it was 20 minutes with a very high heart rate.
” What we did in the last five years is amazing. When you work together for such a long time there is a connection and it is more than a relationship between coach and players, we have become friends. We just have to enjoy this.”
Having finished as runners-up in Group A, Bafana Bafana will face Group B runners-up Canada in the Round of 32. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for 28 June in Los Angeles.
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