The South African Olympic team was knocked out of the 2016 Rio Olympics following a 1-1 draw with Iraq in a do or die affair.
South Africa …….. 1 (Motupa 6’)
Iraq …………… 1 (Luaibi 13’)
The South African Olympic team was knocked out of the 2016 Rio Olympics following a 1-1 draw with Iraq in a do or die affair.
South Africa opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a great goal when Fikizolo played in a beautiful ball that Motupa slotted into the back of the net.
Iraqi replied minutes later when captain Luaibi netted in from a corner kick rising majestically to nod the ball past Itumeleng Khune.
Both teams had numerous chances to win the match and qualify for the quarter-finals, but neither of the two managed to find the winner.
Coach Owen Da Gama made changes in the second half when Thabiso Kutumela came on for Menzi Masuku in the 58th minute and Tashreeq Morris came on for injured Keagan Dolly in the 81st minute after the captain went down with cramps.
South Africa and Iraq will now head home, as Brazil and Denmark top the table and go through to the quarterfinals to be played over the weekend.
South African starting XI:
Itumeleng Khune (GK);Deolin Mekoa; Abbubaker Mobara; Tercious Malepe; Rivaldo Coetzee; Phumlani Ntshangase; Mothobi Mvala; Keagan Dolly (c); Andile Fikizolo; Gift Motupa; Menzi Masuku
Subs:
Jody February (GK); Tebogo Moerane; Kwanda Mngonyama; Kwanda Mngonyama; Aubrey Modiba; Tyroane Sandows; Tashreeq Morris
Iraqi starting XI:
Mohammed Hameed; (GK); Ahmed Ibrahim; Ali Adnan;Mohanad Abdulraheem; Mahdi Kamil; Ali Hisny;Suad Natiq; Dhurgham Ismael; Saad Luaibi (c); Alaa Ali; Amjed Attwan
Subs:
Fahad Talib (GK); Hawbir Khasro; Mustafa Nadhim; Ali Faez; Hammadi Ahmed; Human Tareq; Sherko Kareem;