Gallant South Africa  sent packing from Women’s World Cup at the round of 16

By Ed Emeanua

The Dutch made a single change bringing in Juventus star Lineth Beerensteyn who was sidelined by a back problem in place of Katja Snoeijs in their starting line-up.

• 1 Daphne van Domselaar

• 8 Sherida Spitse

• 3 Stefanie van der Gragt

• 20 Dominique Janssen

• 17 Victoria Pelova

• 6 Jill Roord

• 14 Jackie Groenen

• 10 Danielle van de Donk

• 22 Esmee Brugts

• 7 Lineth Beerensteyn

• 11 Lieke Martens

Subs: Kop, Baijings, Casparij, Dijkstra, Egurrola, Jansen, Kaptein, Nouwen, Snoeijs, van Dongen, Wilms, Weimar.

South Africa players walk out for the warm-up before they take on the Netherlands in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup at Sydney Football Stadium. Kick-off is at midday AEST/3am BST. Photograph: Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images

South Africa also make one change – Kholosa Biyana is back after a ban for picking up two yellows in their opening two games. Robyn Moodaly makes way for her.

• 1 Kaylin Swart

• 2 Lebogang Ramalepe

• 13 Bambanani Mbane

• 4 Noko Matlou

• 7 Karabo Dhlamini

• 19 Kholosa Biyana

• 3 Bongeka Gamede

• 8 Hildah Magaia

• 10 Linda Motlhalo

• 12 Jermaine Seoposenwe

• 11 Thembi Kgatlana

Subs: Dlamini, Cesane, Holweni, Kgadiete, Kgoale, Magama, Makhubela, Salgado, Shongwe, Moletsane.

The gallantry and determination of Bayana Bayana was no match for the Dutch courage of Oranje Leeuwinnen who knocked out the African champions Saturday from the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup at the round of 16 stage with a 2-0 win.

Oranje Leeuwinnen of the Netherlands has always shown lethal form thus far in this tournament, even upping their killer instincts a notch against Bayana Bayana on kicking off the proceeding of their knockout round encounter at the jam-packed Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia Saturday against African champions South Africa.

Roord nods in the goal following a poor defending by Bayana Bayana (Getty Images)

The early lead was greeted with a South Africa reaction. In the 12th minute, Bayana Bayana broke through Kgatlana who mazes through the Dutch defense with great strides following a well threaded ball, she waltzes past Van der Gragt and lets fly but van Domselaar tipped over her effort to deny the Africans.

Despite being a goal down, Bayana Bayana remained spirited taking the duel to the Dutch. On the 45th minute, Oranje Leeuwinnen surrendered the ball in midfield as Kgatlana is released on the left and on a through run at the opponent’s goalie, but Van Domselaar makes an breathtaking save even as Kgatlana fell short on the rebound.

Kgatlana is by now brazen and a thorn in the side of the Dutch defense. Three minutes into injury time, Swart ignites another counterattack after easily claiming the ball in the air and immediately releasing Kgatlana, who again creates a chance to shoot at goal from nothing. However, Van Domselaar is proving to be very resilient in the Dutch goal-sticks as she again parries but Shongwe failed to connect up with the rebound.

Kgatlana creates a chance to shoot at goal from nothing ion 45 + 3 minutes of the game but her effort is saved

South Africa were forced to retire for the break a goal down but the spirit of Bayana Bayana goes with the team into half-time intact and unbroken.

At the 54th minutes mark, a slipped in ball to Pelova allows her to center for Martens, who swivels on the ball before tapping it past Swart in the South Africa goalposts but VAR check crunched off the goal, leaving South Africa still trailing by a goal down.

By the 59th minute, the fiery blasts of South Africa’s counterattacking forays is fast turning into a fizzling ember as the Netherlands take over full control of the game. South Africa have so far failed to find the spark that they took in with them to the dressing room at the end of the second half.

A huge gaff from South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart splashes Beerensteyn’s shot through her hands and strays into the net in the 68th minute allowing the Netherlands go through to the quarter finals.

Two minutes later, the pendulum swings to the other end, as Van de Donk, centers for Beerensteyn, but her passes it slightly too heavy allowing Swart to come off her line to save.

South Africa continued to push for a goal but the best efforts only helped to bring out the brightest skills of the Netherland’s goalkeeper Van Domselaar who made a total of 7 first-class saves to deny Bayana Bayana a goal in the game.

The Netherlands progresses to Friday’s quarter-finals match against Spain while gallant South Africa will book their flights home.