Soccer-South Africa must beat South Korea to make history, says coach Broos


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Czech Republic v South Africa - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 18, 2026 South Africa coach Hugo Broos before the match REUTERS/Claudia Greco/File Photo

MONTERREY, Mexico, June 23 (Reuters) - ⁠South Africa coach Hugo Broos believes his team can make ⁠history by reaching the World Cup's second round for ‌the first time, but said they must beat South Korea in a do-or-die Group A showdown in Monterrey on Wednesday.

South Korea have three points after beating the ​Czech Republic on the tournament’s opening day ⁠while South Africa have ⁠a single point after a late penalty helped them snatcha draw with ⁠the ‌Czechsin Atlanta last Thursday. Broos said:

• "Well, I think it's a special game for both teams. We have to ⁠win the game, we all know that. So, in ​one way, it's ‌easy because you know you have to win."

• "It is — or ⁠it can ​be — historical for South Africa to be in the second round. So, it's a big motivation for us to do it well tomorrow and ⁠to win the game."

• "I think we were ​a little bit overwhelmed by the situation in our first game. We have a team that has a lack of experience in such ⁠games, in such events. And that's why the reason also that we didn't play like we wanted to play against Mexico."

• "The only thing I can say is that South Korea is a ​very disciplined and a good physical team."

• "When you ⁠see that today — not today, tomorrow — you play in extremely hot ​temperature, so that will ask a lot ‌of energy of the players... So, ​maybe the weather conditions will play an important role tomorrow, that's for sure."

(Laura Gottesdiener in MonterreyEditing by Toby Davis)

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