Amanda Ilestedt scored within the 89th minute to provide Sweden a 2–1 win over South Africa in its Group G opener on the Women’s World Cup on Sunday and deny South Africa the primary main disappointed of the event.
South Africa surprised Sweden when Hildah Migala scored within the forty eighth minute. But Sweden were given at the board within the sixty fourth minute with Fridolina Rolfo’s equaliser. Ilestedt then produced an excellent header from a nook with a minute left to assist Sweden break out on the finish of an unimpressive opening sport effort.
Sweden was once anticipated to win the gang with ease and its first fit in opposition to 54th-ranked South Africa gave the impression to be its best. But after a scoreless first part, Sweden got here out of the locker room flat and South Africa capitalized with the primary purpose of the fit 3 mins after the restart.
Thembi Kgatlana dropped in the back of the protection and struck a top shot that keeper Zecira Musovic may just simplest parry. Migala hurled herself ahead with such drive she was once carried into the purpose at the side of the ball.
Sweden didn’t benefit from a dominant first part during which it had 71% of ownership, 8 corners and 5 pictures on purpose, 3 on course.
Finally recommended into motion, Sweden pressed ahead and equalized when Johanna Kaneryd’s sweeping move from the appropriate facet neglected the pinnacle of Stina Blackstenius however fell on the toes of Rolfo and ended up within the web.
South Africa performed in new all black uniforms, a departure from its standard inexperienced away strip, and the jerseys have been a stark distinction to Sweden’s all gold on a depressing, wet night time at Wellington Regional Stadium.
The Banyana Banyana appeared energized and performed with a verve which steadily apprehensive Sweden when it was once expressed on surprising, incisive counter-attack.
The South Africa gamers have been buoyant after settling a long-standing pay dispute with their nationwide federation which confident them they might obtain the $30,000 FIFA has promised each and every participant at this World Cup. Banyana Banyana gamers sang and danced as they stepped down from their workforce bus and made their strategy to their locker room an hour sooner than the fit began.
They sang and danced once more as they left the sector.
Rain started falling in Wellington about two hours sooner than kickoff and persisted ceaselessly, from time to time closely into the fit, glazing the pitch and making it slick in puts. The wind, typically omnipresent in Wellington and an element when Spain met Costa Rica on Friday, was once absent and the harbor which flanks Sky Stadium on its japanese facet, was once glassy.
KEY MOMENT
Ilestedt’s 89th minute purpose, a masterpiece on the finish of a fit during which Sweden hardly sparkled.
The ball was once swept in for Sweden’s eleventh nook of the fit and Ilestedt was once completely positioned to move the ball down and into the online. It was once a merciless blow to South Africa who performed with nice braveness and surprised Sweden with the primary purpose of the fit. But it put Sweden’s marketing campaign on target, giving them an anticipated early lead in Group G.
WHY IT MATTERS
Sweden hadn’t misplaced a World Cup workforce fit since 2003 and for a second on Friday that report seemed in jeopardy. But objectives from Rolfo and Ilestedt, the second one with moments left, allowed Sweden to grasp an anticipated Group G win. It wasn’t spectacular and Sweden should toughen.
Italy and Argentina, the opposite groups in Group G, gained a caution to not put out of your mind South Africa after its plucky efficiency.
WHAT’S NEXT
Italy and Argentina meet within the subsequent fit in Group G in Auckland on Monday. Both can have watched and famous South Africa’s efficiency. The workforce unexpectedly seems tighter than anticipated.
South Africa performs Argentina in Dunedin on Friday and Sweden faces Italy in Wellington on Saturday.
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