South Africa edge South Korea to claim vital World Cup win in tense Group decider

South Africa survived long spells without the ball to claim a gritty 1-0 victory over South Korea in Match Round 3 of the World Cup, a result built on tireless defending, sharp counter-attacking and an outstanding rearguard display that keeps their tournament hopes very much alive.

• South Africa will play with . , on .
• South Korea will play with . , on .

South Africa

• Ronwen Hayden Williams (7.9)
• Khuliso Johnson Mudau (7.3)
• Ime Okon (6.9)
• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (7.3)
• Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (7.3)
• Thalente Mbatha (6.9)
• Sphephelo SMiso Sithole (7)
• Thapelo Maseko (7.6)
• Relebohile Mofokeng (7.3)
• Oswin Reagan Appollis (6.9)
• Sekotori Evidence Makgopa (6.9)

South Korea

Substitutions:

South Africa

• Oswin Reagan Appollis (Tshepang Moremi, 62)
• Thapelo Maseko (Iqraam Rayners, 75)
• Relebohile Mofokeng (Jayden Oswin Adams, 80)

South Korea

• Hee-Chan Hwang (Heung-Min Son, 46)
• Seung-Ho Paik (Jin-Gyu Kim, 46)
• Tae-Seok Lee (Jens Castrop, 46)
• Min-Jae Kim (Jin-Seop Park, 65)
• Hyeon-Gyu Oh (Gue-Sung Cho, 74)

Ball possession:

South Korea dominated possession with 68% of the ball and spent most of the contest probing in South Africa’s half, but Bafana Bafana struck decisively and then defended their lead with organisation and resolve. South Africa, who had just 32% possession, were far more ruthless when chances appeared, registering 13 attempts with four on target to South Korea’s eight efforts and three on goal.

Passes:

In a match that will be remembered more for tackles, blocks and interceptions than flowing attacking football, South Africa’s defensive structure – and their willingness to contest every duel – ultimately proved the difference.

Defense:

### South Africa punish wasteful Korea

Face-to-face:

For all South Korea’s control of the ball, it was South Africa who fashioned the clearer chances across the 90 minutes. Thalente Mbatha, the liveliest of the South African forwards, was the game’s most frequent shooter, continually testing the Korean back line whenever space opened up on the break.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (South Africa) at 73 minute
• Gue-Sung Cho (South Korea) at 79 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• South Africa –
• South Korea –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

1. Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (2, )
2. Ismael Saibari Ben El Basra (1, )
3. Rubén Estephan Vargas Martínez (1, )
4. K. Alajbegovic (1, )
5. Gessime Yassine (1, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• South Africa will play with . , on .
• South Korea will play with . , on .