Czech
· Yahoo Sports
The Czech Republic can not afford another defeat at the World Cup and are focussed solely on the result and not the fact their game against South Africa on Thursday will be the second in history officiated by a woman.
Visit turconews.click for more information.
American Tori Penso has been appointed refree for the match, four years after Stephanie Frappart made gender history by officiating Germany v Costa Rica.
Penso has a wealth of experience highlighted by the 2023 women's World Cup final between Spain and England and she also worked at last year's men's Club World Cup.
Czech striker Ladislav Krejci dismissed a gender debate, saying that "I have no experience with female referees but that is not an issue. The performance is important, not the gender."
Thursday's match is a final of sorts for both teams as the Czechs lost their opener against South Korea and South Africa against co-hosts Mexico.
"I am not nervous. It is a healthy tension, nothing more. I won't break under pressure," Czech coach Miroslav Koubek said.
He said that both teams are in the same situation: "We are without a point, that complicates it. That's why we have to win."