Criticism has been our fuel – Ronwen Williams

South Africa skipper Ronwen Williams believes the criticism and negative talk the team has endured in recent days has been the push factor to go and deliver on pitch.

The goalkeeper opened up to the media, following the team’s 1-0 win over South Korea, a result that helped Bafana Bafana book a slot into the round of 32.

“ I’m out of words, proud is an understatement. The amount of pressure that this team was under both on and off the field and for the players to show up, with our backs against the wall, it is incredible,” he started.

Williams who plies his trade at Mamelodi Sundowns was quick to point out that not so many people gave them the chance but that only worked as energy to go and prove the critics wrong.

“When I saw the publications posting potential teams to go out of the group and we had no percentange, but that instead fueled us and we used it as motivation and the fight that the guys showed in today’s game was amazing.”

Thapelo Maseko scored the lone goal in the 63rd minute and the team had to defend resiliently to pick all three points.

“Our strategy worked very well today, we soaked in the pressure and got them on transition because we have quick players. I’m proud that we held on and got the victory.” He stated.

South Africa finished second in Group A on four points, behind hosts Mexico who topped it with nine points.

At the round of 32, South Africa will face one of the co-hosts Canada who also finished second in Group B on four points.

It should be noted that in their previously three World Cup appearances (1998, 2002 and 2010 as hosts), South Africa did not go beyond the group phase.

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