Goals from Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn in either half secured easy passage into the quarter finals for The Netherlands as they ousted South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the first match on Sunday.
The last edition’s beaten finalists has show real character so far in New Zealand / Australia and managed to finish top of a group, which comprises record winners, the United States.
Having ammased seven points from three group games to reach this stage, there are growing beliefs that the Andries Jonker’s ladies might be here to take back what was denied four years ago in France.
They got off to a perfect start against the African champions and in the ninth minute, produced the first goal of the game as Manchester City’s new signing, Jill Roord heads home from close range, after Beerensteyn’s header from a corner was saved by Swart.
South Africa, who made history by reaching their first ever knockout round in the tournament were second best for almost the entirety of the game, created the best chances of the game but on seven occasions, they were denied by an inspired Daphne van Domselaar in the Netherlands’ goal.
Some of their chances came in the first half, with Thembi Kgatlana on one occasion beating her marker before forcing Domselaar into a near post save.
Just before the interval, the Dutch gave possession away in the middle of the park allowed Biyana the needed space and time to slip a through ball to captain, Thembi Kgatlana. The striker curled a shot at Domselaar but the Goalkeeper was able to make an initial save before recovering in time for a follow-up save.
All hopes of a South African comeback was put to bed eight minutes after the hour mark, when Beerensteyn fired a simple short at Kaylin Swart. The Goalkeeper made a mess of it and the ball ended in the back of the net.
Banyana Banyana were able to fashion more opportunities after that but nothing was getting past Domselaar, who stood tall and eventually spelled the doom for South Africa in this tournament.
The African champions heads home with history made while the Netherlands will battle Spain for a place in the last four.
Hassan Afolabi
