2023 Women’s World Cup: South Africa bow out following last-16 loss to Netherlands
South Africa will now bow out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following a 2-0 last-16 loss to Netherlands on Sunday August 6.
The game was played by 3am at the Sydney Football Stadium in Australia. Clear favourites, Netherlands made no mistake with a goal in each half of the match to send home the African Champions.
For the first goal, Jill Roord who is Manchester City Women’s team new club record signing, nodded the Dutch in front after nine minute of play.
Inspired by group stage hero, Thembi Kgatlana, South Africa pressed hard for an equalizer and went close on several times but failed to hit the target.
To underline her contribution in the match, Bayana Bayana skipper Thembi Kgatlana was once again a real handful and forced four fine saves from Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up Netherlands then made the result safe when Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.
At Full-time, It was the Netherlands who secured a quarter-final spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win while South Africa will now bow out after what represents their best FIFA Women’s World Cup outing.
At the 2023 edition co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, South Africa secured their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win and also advanced into the last-16 for the first time.
On the technical stand, as Coach Desire Ellis heads home with the Bayana Bayana, England’s Sarina Weigman is the only female coach left in the tournament.
Sarina Weigman and her English charges will face African opposition in Nigeria on Monday August 7 in Brisbane, Australia.
