South Africa salvage draw with late penalty after Czechs take early lead

ATLANTA, June 18 : South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from fulltime as they fought back to draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic at the World Cup on Thursday after falling behind early in the Group A clash.

The result effectively left the two sides, who both lost their opening fixtures, likely requiring a win in their last group game to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

Teboho Mokoena slotted home the late spotkick which gave South Africa a lifeline as they were staring at potential early elimination, after the Czechs had led from the sixth minute through Michal Sadilek.

"I don't see a reason," South Africa's manager, Hugo Broos, replied when asked if he was relieved.

"I think that we played a very good game today, except for one moment in the beginning of the first half, where we were not concentrated, not focused."

Both teams now have a point after losing their respective opening games last Thursday. Mexico and South Korea, both on three points, meet in Guadalajara later on Thursday.

For the first time at a World Cup match, both head coaches were aged over 70, and the two 74-year-old managers opted to shake things up after their sides put in poor performances in their opening-game defeats.

Broos ditched his much-criticised conservative formation, while Czech boss Miroslav Koubek made five changes to his team.

Patrik Schick completely mishit a header in the opening minute as the Czechs began on the front foot and found the early goal when the South African defence was caught napping on a long throw-in.

Adam Hlozek, left unmarked up front, gathered the ball on the right and headed for the byline before pulling it back to the edge of the box where Alexandr Sojka slipped a perfect pass into Sadilek who