Netherlands Triumphs 2-0 Over South Africa: Goals by Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn Pave Way for World Cup Win

The manager of the Netherlands team, Andries Jonker, confidently asserts that his team entered the Women’s World Cup with the firm belief that they could triumph over any team. This conviction is seemingly justified after their secured a spot in the quarter-finals against Spain.

Before celebrating their success in clinching a place among the last eight, the Netherlands experienced some tense moments in their match against South Africa. Unfortunately, they will have to confront Spain without the contribution of their seasoned midfielder Danielle van de Donk, who is under suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in the tournament.

Van de Donk, a former Arsenal player and Champions League winner with Lyon, her current club, was visibly emotional at the end of the match, knowing her suspension excludes her from the quarter-finals. She has consistently been a part of the starting lineup in all of Netherlands’ 15 World Cup games to date.

Manager Jonker expressed his disappointment at Van de Donk’s suspension but remains optimistic about the team’s ability to overcome this setback, highlighting the skills and talent of their other midfielders who will now be called upon to step up.

Jill Roord, a recent record signing for Manchester City, managed to secure a lead for the Netherlands, although South Africa posed a significant threat several times, nearly equalizing against the 2019 World Cup finalists.

Despite her team’s defeat, Banyana Banyana’s captain Thembi Kgatlana proved a formidable opponent, leading four impressive attempts on goal. However, these were expertly defended by the Netherlands’ new goalkeeper, Daphne van Domselaar, before an audience of over 40,000 spectators at Sydney Football Stadium.

Lineth Beerensteyn increased the Netherlands’ lead following a miscalculation by South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart during the second half.

The team now sets their sights on Spain, which they will face in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, with hopes of securing a spot in the semi-finals. Jill Roord has already made her mark on the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with a total of four goals.

The Netherlands, just two wins away from reaching consecutive finals, have shown incredible resilience and skill in this tournament. After their early goal, an unfortunate error from South Africa’s Swart led to a second goal for the Netherlands, securing their third tournament victory.

Their near flawless performance in the World Cup is an impressive feat, marred only by a drawn match against the United States, courtesy of Lindsey Horan’s equalizing goal.

Andries Jonker, who previously served as Louis van Gaal’s assistant at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, is expected to push the Netherlands team further than their last World Cup campaign under Sarina Wiegman, which ended with a 2-0 defeat against the United States in France.

The Dutch team is heading into the quarter-finals in top form, with their sights firmly set on Spain.

On the other hand, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are leaving the World Cup but have left a lasting impression with their energetic performances and camaraderie. Despite a conflict with their national association and not receiving any rewards from the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), their spirited performances won many hearts, particularly their dramatic win over Italy which propelled them into the knockout stage for the first time.

Their match against the Netherlands saw them stay competitive, even after losing two key players to injury. Their 27-year-old star player, Thembi Kgatlana, was a constant threat with her rapid pace and aggressive gameplay, although she was effectively thwarted by Netherlands’ goalkeeper Van Domselaar.

As they exit the tournament, manager Desiree Ellis encouraged her team to keep their heads high, applauding their achievements and inspiring the nation. She urged corporate sponsors to support and invest in the team to further promote women’s football in South Africa.

The player of the match was Jill Roord, earning an average rating of 8.19, leading her team to victory and proving to be an integral part of the Netherlands’ success.

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More about Women’s World Cup Netherlands vs South Africa

• FIFA Women’s World Cup
• Netherlands Women’s National Football Team
• South Africa Women’s National Football Team
• Andries Jonker
• Jill Roord
• Danielle van de Donk
• Thembi Kgatlana