The Czech head coach was frustrated with the result against South Africa, arguing his side created enough chances to win and that a second goal would have ended the contest. The penalty conceded was described as an acceptable but unlucky call — the player's arm movement was involuntary and unavoidable in that body position.

He pushed back firmly against the South African coach's claim that Czechia relied solely on long balls, insisting the team deliberately alternated between high pressing and a defensive block to control the game. Criticism from fans about 'parking the bus' was also rejected: the coach stressed that chances were created from deep positions and that possession alone does not define dominance.

Second-half stability was lost partly due to fatigue — several players were cramping and substitutions were necessary, though he acknowledged they slightly disrupted the team's shape. For the second time in the tournament Czechia took the lead and failed to hold it: tactical errors cost them against Korea, while today unconverted chances for 2-0 proved decisive.

The match against Mexico at the Azteca was flagged as the toughest assignment in the group, but the coach confirmed they will compete for qualification, with preparation focused on tactical sessions rather than physical load.

South Africa's head coach expressed pride in his team's performance against the Czech Republic, insisting the draw was below what Bafana Bafana deserved — the second half was played almost entirely in the opponent's half. The early conceded goal was the one clear mistake: the team had been warned about the No. 5's long-range threat but failed to react in time.

At halftime, he demanded more aggression off the ball and introduced Rele to exploit space in the final third, a decision he credited with turning the game around. Czech Republic's approach was labelled straightforward: aerial balls into their 190cm-plus forwards, exploiting the height mismatch against shorter South African defenders.

Toko Chukwuemeka scored the equalizer but also collected a needless yellow card — as did Tab Warhol, who will now miss the must-win clash with South Korea. The coach dismissed post-game-one criticism bluntly: nearly 40 years in football has made him immune to outside noise.

South Korea, he said, sit somewhere between Mexico and Czech Republic — disciplined, relentless runners who never stop for 90 minutes, like a Duracell battery. He also took aim at mandatory hydration breaks in the climate-controlled stadium, arguing they disrupted his team's dominance at precisely the wrong moments.