Amanda Ilestedt’s late goal lifts Sweden over South Africa at Women’s World Cup
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sweden produced a colorless opening Women’s World Cup efficiency on a depressing night time of mist and rain however managed to tug off a surprisingly tough 2-1 victory to fend off plucky South Africa on Sunday.
South Africa caught Sweden off guard when Hildah Magaia scored within the forty eighth minute to take a surprising lead within the Group G match whereas threatening to notch the primary main upset of the event.
Sweden had dominated a scoreless first half with 71 per cent of possession and eight corners, however there was one thing missing in its efficiency. Sweden appeared misplaced after halftime and South Africa took benefit when Thembi Kgatlana dropped behind the defence and struck a excessive shot that keeper Zecira Musovic may solely parry.
Magaia hurled herself ahead with such pressure she was carried into the purpose together with the ball. She rolled into the again of the online and lay there for a number of moments and was finally substituted.
Sweden, which hadn’t misplaced a World Cup group match since 2003 and was anticipated to ease previous 54th-ranked South Africa, out of the blue appeared in peril.
But Sweden obtained on the board within the sixty fourth minute with Fridolina Rolfo’s equalizer. Amanda Ilestedt then produced an ideal header from a nook with a minute left in regulation to assist Sweden escape on the finish of an unimpressive opening recreation effort.
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The Banyana Banyana had danced from their workforce bus into the dressing room earlier than the match and appeared prone to dance their manner out earlier than Ilestedt’s late purpose briefly suppressed that celebration. After time to mirror on its efficiency, South Africa was glad with its efficiency.
“They came off a bit disappointed because of the loss because we thought we could have got a better result,” South Africa coach Desiree Ellis stated. “But the way in which we performed, we’re very happy with that. We caught to the sport plan. We knew we’d get targets on transition. We knew we’d get possibilities.
“We scored and that is our that is one of our strengths,” Ellis continued. “We have the speed up front, we have the skill upfront, we have this skill within the midfield and defensively we were really, really good and that is a big plus for us.”
South Africa adopted a brand new uniform of all black on Friday which contrasted with Sweden’s brilliant yellow. There was additionally a distinction of types as Sweden constructed painstakingly from the again and was at its finest at set items, whereas South Africa excelled on the counter-attack.
Often it caught Sweden napping with fast touches which sped the ball ahead and behind the defence. Magaia’s purpose was a wealthy return for a workforce that refused to be intimidated by Sweden’s file and repute — the Blagult are ranked third on the planet.
It was South Africa that usually appeared sharpest and did extra to carry the gloom of the night.
Rain started falling in Wellington about two hours earlier than kickoff and continued steadily, generally closely into the match, glazing the pitch and making it slick in locations. The wind, often omnipresent in Wellington and an element when Spain met Costa Rica on Friday, was absent and the harbor which flanks Wellington Regional Stadium on its japanese facet, was glassy.
Without wind, Sweden was ready to make use of the lengthy ball successfully within the first half.
In the second, having been shaken into motion by the potential of its first loss in a World Cup group match in 20 years, Sweden grew to become extra exact and Ilestedt’s purpose resulted from set piece solidity and scientific execution.
“We are really positive about the win, really happy,” Ilestedt stated. “They scored the first goal, and to win this kind of a game and score two goals, it’s something we will bring further on. Obviously we were really happy about the three points. That’s what matters right now.”
KEY MOMENT
Ilestedt’s 89th minute purpose, a masterpiece on the finish of a match wherein Sweden seldom sparkled.
The ball was swept in for Sweden’s eleventh nook of the match and Ilestedt was completely positioned to go the ball down and into the online. It was a merciless blow to South Africa who performed with nice braveness and shocked Sweden with the primary purpose of the match. But it put Sweden’s marketing campaign on observe, giving them an anticipated early lead in Group G.
WHY IT MATTERS
Sweden hadn’t misplaced a World Cup group match since 2003 and for a second on Friday that file appeared in jeopardy. But targets from Rolfo and Ilestedt, the second with moments left, allowed Sweden to seize an anticipated Group G win. It wasn’t spectacular and Sweden should enhance.
Italy and Argentina, the opposite groups in Group G, acquired a warning to not overlook South Africa after its plucky efficiency.
WHAT’S NEXT
Italy and Argentina meet within the subsequent match in Group G in Auckland on Monday. Both can have watched and famous South Africa’s efficiency. The group out of the blue appears to be like tighter than anticipated.
South Africa performs Argentina in Dunedin on Friday and Sweden faces Italy in Wellington on Saturday.
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