6 May 2019 — South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) side subjected Qatar to a 1-0 defeat in their friendly match which took place at the X-Bionic sporting grounds in Samarin, Slovakia on Sunday, 5 May.

A goal by Thabiso Monyane in the second period of the match was enough to see the national juniors seal their second victory out of the now three friendly matches played leading up to the upcoming 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

This encounter started off at a very slow pace with both sides taking extra caution in their defensive plays to avoid conceding an early goal.

Amajita dominated most of ball possession with some beautiful touches they shared amongst themselves while pressing forward. They were equally rock solid at the back each time fellow World Cup participants, Qatar, pressed them in their defensive third.

In the second period of the match, though, Amajita turned things around with their now offensive play moving forward.

Right-back Keenan Phillips was the first one to test the opposition goalkeeper with a rocket of a shot taken just outside the 18-yard box just two minutes into the second stanza of the match.

The Bidvest player, though, was just unlucky as his shot was parried away into a corner.

Int the 68th minute, Phillips provided a sweet assist which found the industrious Monyane in a good position to take the shot.

The stocky midfielder did not disappoint.

Monyane’s goal was a result of a failed clearance from the opposition’s defence following a whipped in cross into the box from a corner.

Amajita will now fly back to Szamotuly, Poland Monday (6 May) where they will continue with their World Cup preparations.