Atlanta, June 18 -- South Africa kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Czechia in a Group A encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium here on Thursday.
Czechia made a bright start and struck early in the sixth minute through Michal Sadilek, who finished off a well-worked move to give the Europeans an early lead. Despite their strong opening spell, Czechia failed to build on the advantage, with Patrik Schick missing two clear headed chances that could have extended the margin.
South Africa gradually grew into the contest and began to control possession in midfield as the game progressed. Their persistence was rewarded late in the second half when Thapelo Maseko's shot struck the arm of Pavel Sulc inside th...