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

MONTERREY: 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 snatch a draw with the Czechs in Atlanta last Thursday.

“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,” Broos said.

“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,” he added.

“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,” Broos said.

“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,” he added.