Amajita played to a 0-0 draw against Uruguay in their final Group D encounter at the Fifa U20 World Cup at the Incheon Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Thabo Senong’s side lost their opening two encounters to Japan and Italy respectively, but still have a slim chance of progressing past the group stages as one of the best third-placed finishers.
Senong made two changes to his Amajita side that lost 2-0 to Italy, with Masilake Phohlongo and Teboho Mokoena being handed starting berths.
The encounter got off to a slow start with both sides looking to get a feel of the ball in the opening exchanges. Uruguay, who had already secured their spot in the next round of the tournament, were initially tested by Amajita in the opening ten minutes.
The South American outfit had the first chance of the game when a smart ball over the top found Rodrigo Bentancur unmarked in the area, but the forward headed his effort over the bar.
South Africa showed of glimpses of promise with their patient build-up, but were often let down by poor decision-making in the final third, aided by Uruguay’s good defensive shape.
Amajita started to find their rhythm and came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 25th minute when a good ball into the area was almost met by Mokoena.
South Africa dominated possession stakes in the latter stages of the first half, but could not find a way past a resilient Uruguayan outfit, who were happy to bide their time.
Uruguay should have broken the deadlock in the 39th minute when Jose Luis Rodriguez’ enticing ball into the area found Nicolas Schiappacasse, but the striker’s poorly-executed header went wide of the effort.
The second half saw Uruguay start like a house on fire and Agustin Canobbio almost gave them the lead, but his shot went wide of the target.
Amajita talisman Luther Singh came close to giving his side the lead with an expertly taken free kick, which crashed against the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten, in the 49th minute.
South Africa continued to apply pressure on Uruguay in search of the opener and came close through efforts from Sibongakonke Mbatha and Thabo Cele.
Much like the first stanza, it was all South Africa towards the latter stages of the second half, but Amajita spurned a number of great opportunities to take the lead.
Uruguay nearly punished Amajita, but goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto’s presence helped Schiappacasse put his effort wide.
South Africa did everything in their power to get a goal in the final minutes, but Uruguay thwarted all attempts to do so, to march into the last 16 without having conceded a goal in the group stages, while Amajita head home, after failing to garner a victory in their three matches played.
Photo: Fifa
