Netherlands vs South Africa Women's World Cup: Live Score and Updates as Knockout Stages Continue
South Africa's historic win against Italy in the Women's World Cup has set them up for another upset against the Netherlands. Japan also advances to the last-16.
The Women's World Cup last-16 stage continues with an exciting match between the Netherlands and South Africa in Sydney. South Africa has been one of the standout teams of the tournament so far, shocking Italy with a thrilling 3-2 victory to reach the last-16 for the first time. Led by star forwards Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia, the dangerous Banyana Banyana will be looking to cause another upset against the 2019 finalists.
On the other hand, the Netherlands finished on top of Group E, ahead of the United States, and are a team with plenty of experience under the guidance of coach Andries Jonker. The World Cup has been full of surprises, and the Netherlands will be cautious of another potential upset as they aim to set up a quarter-final clash with Spain, who convincingly defeated Switzerland in their last match.
Japan is also through to the last-16 and awaits the winner of the highly-anticipated match between defending champions USA and Sweden. The USA has shown some vulnerability after narrowly progressing from Group E, and an early exit for the defending champions would open up the tournament even further. The match between the Netherlands and South Africa promises to be an exciting encounter, and fans can follow live updates as the action unfolds.
South Africa's head coach, Desiree Ellis, expressed her admiration for her team after their historic win against Italy. She praised their resilience and fighting spirit, acknowledging the challenges they have faced in the past. Ellis dedicated the victory to all the supporters back home who have shown unwavering support for the team.
Hildah Magaia, who played a crucial role in South Africa's victory, described the win as "life-changing." She emphasized her responsibility as a key player, referring to herself as the "breadwinner" who provides for the nation. Magaia expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to continue in the tournament, especially after coming so close to elimination.
Japan has been on a mission to redeem themselves after their disappointing exit at the last-16 stage in the previous World Cup. They secured their spot in the last-16 with a hard-fought victory against Norway, conceding their first goal of the tournament but ultimately prevailing with goals from Risa Shimizu and Miyazawa. Miyazawa's goal not only secured the win but also moved her up the tournament's leading goalscorer list, equaling a Japanese record set in 2011.
The Netherlands will need to rely on trust and teamwork to stop South Africa's lightning-fast striker, Thembi Kgatlana. Defender Stefanie van der Gragt emphasized the importance of supporting each other and having each other's backs in the upcoming match. Coach Andries Jonker highlighted the team's success in handling fast attackers in previous matches and assured fans that they are prepared for the challenge.
As the Women's World Cup last-16 stage continues, all eyes will be on the match between the Netherlands and South Africa. South Africa's impressive performance in the group stage has made them a team to watch, while the Netherlands will be determined to avoid an upset and secure their place in the quarter-finals. The outcome of the match between the defending champions USA and Sweden will also play a significant role in shaping the rest of the tournament. Excitement is building as fans eagerly follow the live updates from the Netherlands vs. South Africa match.
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