Netherlands beat South Africa to reach quarter-finals

Jill Roord has scored four goals at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World CupThe Netherlands secured a quarter-final spot against Spain at the Fifa Women’s World Cup but not before enduring several anxious moments against South Africa.Jill Roord, Manchester City’s new club record signing, nodded the Dutch ahead in the ninth minute but South Africa went close to equalising several times against the 2019 runners-up.Banyana Banyana captain Thembi Kgatlana was once again a real handful and forced four fine saves from Daphne van Domselaar, Aston Villa’s new goalkeeper, at Sydney Football Stadium.Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.The Netherlands will return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington next Friday (02:00 BST) for a place in the semi-finals.Another lightning startThe Dutch are two wins from reaching back-to-back finals after another lightning start at this tournament.Roord’s early header, after Lieke Martens had been denied by a clearance off the line, was the sixth time they have scored inside 20 minutes.Their second goal was a gift, Swart allowing a seemingly routine shot by the recalled Beerensteyn to slip through her grasp and into the net.It was a horrible moment for the keeper but it secured the Dutch their third win of the tournament.They have had a near-perfect World Cup so far and were only denied victory over four-time world champions the United States by Lindsey Horan’s equaliser.Andries Jonker, the former assistant to Louis van Gaal at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, has been tasked with going one step further than the last World Cup when Sarina Wiegman’s side were defeated 2-0 by the United States in France.They head into the quarter-finals in fine form and with Spain in their sights.South Africa bow out with heads highBanyana Banyana are heading home but they have certainly left an impression at this tournament.Their players have brought joy with their dancing and singing before and after games, while on the pitch their exciting fast-paced attacking play has entertained fans.And all this despite a dispute with their national association. South Africa’s players will receive $50,000 each from Fifa for reaching the last 16, but nothing from the South Africa Football Association (SAFA).Despite this, they have been a joy to watch with their late win over Italy in their final group game sending them into the knockout stage for the first time.South Africa went toe-to-toe with the Netherlands despite losing Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbane to injury before half-time.The impressive Kgatlana has caused huge problems with her pace at this World Cup, scoring two and assisting another two goals, and she was once again dangerous against the Dutch.The 27-year-old had five of South Africa’s seven attempts on target in this match but found herself frustrated by Van Domselaar.Will Banyana Banyana be back in 2027?South Africa are aiming to host the next Women’s World Cup. Their presence at the 2023 has certainly added fun to the tournament and they will be missed.helpHow to playRate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfectionNetherlandsSquad number1Player namevan DomselaarSquad number8Player nameSpitseSquad number3Player namevan der GragtSquad number20Player nameJanssenSquad number14Player nameGroenenSquad number17Player namePelovaSquad number6Player nameRoordSquad number10Player namevan de DonkSquad number22Player nameBrugtsSquad number7Player nameBeerensteynSquad number11Player nameMartensSquad number2Player nameWilmsSquad number9Player nameSnoeijsSquad number12Player nameBaijingsSquad number18Player nameCasparijSquad number21Player nameEgurrolaSouth AfricaSquad number1Player nameSwartSquad number2Player nameRamalepeSquad number13Player nameMbaneSquad number4Player nameMatlouSquad number7Player nameDhlaminiSquad number3Player nameGamedeSquad number19Player nameBiyanaSquad number12Player nameSeoposenweSquad number10Player nameMotlhaloSquad number8Player nameMagaiaSquad number11Player nameKgatlanaSquad number6Player nameCesaneSquad number14Player nameMakhubelaSquad number17Player nameKgadieteSquad number23Player nameShongweLine-upsNetherlandsFormation 3-1-4-21van Domselaar8Spitse3van der Gragt20Janssen14Groenen17Pelova6Roord10van de Donk22Brugts7Beerensteyn11Martens1van Domselaar8Spitse3van der Gragt20Janssen14Groenen17PelovaSubstituted forWilmsat 89’minutes6RoordSubstituted forSnoeijsat 90+3’minutes10van de DonkBooked at 67minsSubstituted forEgurrolaat 76’minutes22BrugtsSubstituted forCasparijat 89’minutes7Beerensteyn11MartensSubstituted forBaijingsat 90+3’minutesSubstitutes2Wilms4Nouwen5van Dongen9Snoeijs12Baijings13Jansen15Dijkstra16Kop18Casparij19Kaptein21Egurrola23WeimarSouth AfricaFormation 4-2-3-11Swart2Ramalepe13Mbane4Matlou7Dhlamini3Gamede19Biyana12Seoposenwe10Motlhalo8Magaia11Kgatlana1Swart2Ramalepe13MbaneSubstituted forMakhubelaat 42’minutes4Matlou7Dhlamini3Gamede19Biyana12SeoposenweSubstituted forShongweat 30’minutes10MotlhaloSubstituted forKgadieteat 90+2’minutes8MagaiaSubstituted forCesaneat 90+2’minutes11KgatlanaSubstitutes5Magama6Cesane9Salgado14Makhubela16Dlamini17Kgadiete18Holweni21Moletsane22Kgoale23ShongweReferee:Yoshimi YamashitaAttendance:40,233Live TextMatch ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.Hand ball by Jackie Groenen (Netherlands).Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Daphne van Domselaar.Attempt saved. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tiisetso Makhubela.Substitution, Netherlands. Jill Baijings replaces Lieke Martens.Substitution, Netherlands. Katja Snoeijs replaces Jill Roord.Substitution, South Africa. Noxolo Cesane replaces Hildah Magaia.Substitution, South Africa. Melinda Kgadiete replaces Linda Motlhalo.Attempt missed. Kholosa Biyana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Bongeka Gamede.Kerstin Casparij (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa).Substitution, Netherlands. Lynn Wilms replaces Victoria Pelova.Substitution, Netherlands. Kerstin Casparij replaces Esmee Brugts.Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the right wing.Foul by Kholosa Biyana (South Africa).Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Netherlands) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Lineth Beerensteyn.Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the left wing.Foul by Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa).Jackie Groenen (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Source link