Amajita draw against Portugal
Brave defending helped the South African under-20 side, known as Amajita, earn a 1-1 draw against Portugal at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium in Poland on Friday night.
The result meant that they ended their Under-20 World Cup campaign rock bottom in Group F. It also ensured the European champions missed out on the round of 16.
Rafael Leao kicked things off for the Portuguese in the 19th minute. The 1.88m centre-forward settled Thierry Correia's cross from the right side and poked the ball past South African goalkeeper Khulekani Kubheka at close range to open the scoring.
South Africa were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute, after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged Diogo Leite to have handled the ball in his attempted clearance. Up stepped James Monyane to the spot and the Amajita number 12 converted calmly to level the match.
Just five minutes later Portugal were awarded a penalty of their own in a near-identical situation; this time South Africa's Fezile Gcaba was the handball culprit. But Kubheka saved Jota's ensuing spot-kick.
Portugal controlled the ball for most of the remainder of the match, but South Africa were unrelenting, winning their first point at Poland 2019, while sending the Portuguese packing.
NAMPA/ANA
The result meant that they ended their Under-20 World Cup campaign rock bottom in Group F. It also ensured the European champions missed out on the round of 16.
Rafael Leao kicked things off for the Portuguese in the 19th minute. The 1.88m centre-forward settled Thierry Correia's cross from the right side and poked the ball past South African goalkeeper Khulekani Kubheka at close range to open the scoring.
South Africa were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute, after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged Diogo Leite to have handled the ball in his attempted clearance. Up stepped James Monyane to the spot and the Amajita number 12 converted calmly to level the match.
Just five minutes later Portugal were awarded a penalty of their own in a near-identical situation; this time South Africa's Fezile Gcaba was the handball culprit. But Kubheka saved Jota's ensuing spot-kick.
Portugal controlled the ball for most of the remainder of the match, but South Africa were unrelenting, winning their first point at Poland 2019, while sending the Portuguese packing.
NAMPA/ANA
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