29 May 2019 –The South African U-20 Men’s National Team, Amajita, has been knocked out of the 2019 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup after going down 1-0 to Korea Republic on Tuesday night (28 May 2019).

The Group F clash took place at Tychy Stadium, Poland and was South Africa’s second loss in the tournament.

The goal that broke Amajita’s hearts came in the 68th minute when Kim Hyunwoo leaped head and shoulders above the rest to head the ball home past Khulekani Kubheka between the sticks.

It came as a result of few decent chances Korea Republic created in the second half, after having struggled massively to find each other with passes in the first period of the match.

In the first stanza, Amajita dominated play from the onset, forcing their opponents to play on the back foot at most times.

The combination of Leo Thethani, Thabiso Monyane and Kobamelo Kodisang proved threatening for the opposition up in the final third, as they struck for goal at every given chance they got.

Amajita’s attack up in the final third was also complemented by a well-organised defensive structure they displayed building from the back.

South Africa’s defence also helped out in attack, too. Centre-back Keenan Abrahams whipped a beauty of a cross in the 16th minute which found Thabiso Monyane unmarked inside the 18-yard box. The midfielder, however, went disappointingly wide after connecting with the ball with his head.

Eighteen minutes later, Abrahams was the recipient of a quality cross from Thethani from a corner kick, and his header went wide again.

In the second period of the match, Korea Republic was more offensive which forced South Africa to defend from deep.

Their efforts were rewarded when Hyunwoo found the back of the net to put his side in the lead.

However much South Africa tried to get back to level terms, it just never happened – it ended 1-0 to Korea Republic, which meant an exit from the tournament for Thabo Senong’s charges.

In the first game they suffered a 5-2 loss against Argentina.

In their final group match, South Africa takes on Portugal at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium on 31 May.

Kickoff is at 20h30.