S. Korea, Mexico aim to secure World Cup knockout berths

LOS ANGELES — Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing that a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic in their opening games last week. In Thursday's first game of the second round of fixtures at this 48-team World Cup, South Africa drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic. Teboho Mokoena slotted home a penalty to grab a point for a much-improved South Africa team, from the one beaten by Mexico, after Michal Sadilek had put the Czechs ahead in the sixth minute in Atlanta. The point will be a relief for both countries but they are likely to be left hoping to be one of the eight best third-placed teams from the 12 groups in order to progress to the knockout stage. Only the first two teams in each group are guaranteed passage into the last 32. Co-hosts Mexico are bracing for a significantly tougher test against South Korea than South Africa provided in the tournament's opening fixtureWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times