The Netherlands arrange a heavyweight Women’s World Cup quarterfinal with Spain after ending South Africa’s historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.
The 2019 runner-up was environment friendly, somewhat than scintillating, in entrance of 40,000 in Sydney to make sure it might not grow to be the newest sufferer of a shock on the match.
Jill Roord scored after 9 minutes to place the Dutch on their method towards a crew ranked 45 locations under them and that includes within the knockout rounds for the primary time.
South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a large number of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot halfway by way of the second half to reward the Dutch a second.
The African champion will probably be kicking itself after having quite a few possibilities within the opening 45 minutes, nearly all because of its livewire captain Thembi Kgatlana.
The Netherlands will meet Spain on Friday within the final eight.
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In an open begin, the 54th-ranked South Africans had the primary probability on six minutes however Kgatlana fired straight at goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar — it was to grow to be a theme.
The Dutch took the lead three minutes later, midfielder Roord nodding in from shut vary following a nook for her fourth objective of the match.
The striker Kgatlana, who scored the winner over Italy that gave South Africa its first win ever on the World Cup, was a relentless risk together with her tempo.
The US-based Kgatlana may have scored three extra occasions within the first half.
Neutrals at Sydney Football Stadium obtained behind her crew and there was a buzz of anticipation every time she ran with the ball.
At 12 minutes, she sprinted away from a Dutch defence that was treading water and fizzed her effort simply over the bar.
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Danielle van de Donk ought to have scored a second for the Netherlands, however her tame effort was simply saved by goalkeeper Swart. Kgatlana rattled the Dutch as soon as extra with a mazy run and shot that stung the palms of Van Domselaar.
South Africa had already taken off injured ahead Jermaine Seoposenwe and it misplaced Bambanani Mbane three minutes earlier than the break when she was stretchered off with a badly damage ankle.
Kgatlana surged by way of, however was foiled by Van Domselaar as soon as extra, with solely the goalkeeper to beat.
Moments earlier than the break there was a repeat, the Dutch defence discovering the 27-year-old Kgatlana too scorching to deal with however Van Domselaar stood agency.
The Dutch wanted one other objective after half-time or needed to discover a option to suffocate Kgatlana on South Africa’s counter-attacks.
Nine minutes after the break, coach Andries Jonker thought his aspect had its second, however it was dominated out for offside following a VAR overview.
The Dutch, who by now have been dominating possession, obtained their second on 68 minutes when Swart’s blunder let Beerensteyn’s tame effort slip by way of her fingers.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com