The second one day of the Spherical of 16 used to be a harsh lesson in a few football truths. The United States realized that every so often ball can lie as it’s a devious type. South Africa realized that for those who don’t make the most of the moments you’ve got, the opposite group at this degree will and also you’ll be going house. Let’s make it occur, captain.
Recreation of the day: Netherlands 2 – 0 South Africa
This event has been full of underdogs that experience gained the hearts of neutrals, which is what has made it so a laugh, and definitely South Africa used to be one in every of them. It made for a extra raucous setting in Sydney as properly, as a result of a number of USWNT lovers confirmed up anticipating it to be the place the Yanks landed within the Spherical of 16, handiest to search out the Dutch and South Africa had stolen the invites. There used to be no means the ones other folks have been going to be cheering on Netherlands, who had helped sentence the USA to being clear of there, so it used to be virtually a house sport for Bayana Bayana.
South Africa’s plan wasn’t the rest we hadn’t observed sooner than, person who had boxed up Italy and mailed them to Timbuktu in addition to given Sweden all it will take care of. They ceded the ball to the Dutch, hoping to attract them an increasing number of ahead, leaving extra space for Thembi Kgatlana to romp via at the counter. South Africa used to be more than pleased to let her cross 1-on-2 and even 1-on-3 so long as there used to be area, and he or she definitely threw a fright into the Netherlands during the primary part:
The issue is a majority of these runs topic much less whilst you’re already trailing 1-0, which is able to occur when a group defends a nook like this:
May just Jill Roord have neglected this if she sought after to?
The Dutch were given awfully conservative after that via the remainder of the part, which handiest were given extra conservative with each and every time Kgatlana ran at them. However, at this very most sensible degree, if one doesn’t make the probabilities rely, and South Africa didn’t, the opponent has any individual who will make you pay. Which supposed South Africa used to be all the time going to be looking ahead to Lieke Martens to do one thing like this to ship Lineth Beerensteyn via:
Sure, a goalkeeping error. However one has to grin at a wily and well-versed Martens seeing Kgatlana operating in all places the sphere after which appearing everybody that she will create the similar probability with two touches and no longer even transferring. Recreation, set, fit.
So the Netherlands toddles on to stand Spain, and the extra direct approach of attacking that the latter confirmed in opposition to Switzerland via Alba Redondo and Esther Gonzalez within the frontline will probably be a real take a look at. Be mindful the Dutch have been up in opposition to it as opposed to the USA when the latter belatedly were given one thing in their act in combination. The Dutch may also be with out Daniëlle van de Donk thank you to a suspension, and being with out a first-choice central midfielder might not be what you need when Aitana Bonmati walks out of the tunnel to play you.
Different effects: Sweden 0 – 0 USA (Sweden is going via on consequences)
We did this already!
Function of the day
Simply need to see Martens’s cross once more:
How is that this nonetheless a factor?
Talking of van de Donk’s suspension, how is getting two yellows over 4 suits worthy of a suspension in a brief event? The yellow card rule within the staff degree has all the time been unfairly harsh and deprives groups of necessary avid gamers for essentially the most a very powerful suits. The United States needed to cross with out Rose Lavelle in opposition to Sweden (which if truth be told necessitated a important formation trade, however forget about that for a second) as a result of one rash problem and one unhealthy refereeing choice. Playing cards in consecutive video games? Good enough, may just see that being worthy of a one-gamer. However two in 3 or particularly two in 4? That barely signifies a reckless participant reenacting “Falling Down.” It’s been an issue for many years and but there’s been little to no push to switch it.
Did Alexei Lalas or Carli Lloyd say the rest silly?
Neatly certain!
Some other notice on Fox broadcasting: John Robust is an excellent play–via–play guy who most likely will have to were within the most sensible spot for this event over JP Dellacamera’s wish to fill each and every clean area via pronouncing one thing. Then again, Robust’s pleasure over South Africa and their efficiency bordered on patronizing.
It’s something to get excited and lift one’s voice as an announcer when Kgatlana is bursting into the field or getting a shot on function. It’s any other to do the similar when she’s getting fouled out close to the centerline as though he used to be amazed South Africa held onto the ball or formed the rest in any respect. This came about a pair instances during the fit. Those are professionals, in the end. No longer the entirety that occurs at this event must be offered to us like a carny. Simply let the fit breathe just a little.
Additionally, he’s most likely doing just a little at this level, however saving your signature name of “45 mins within the books, 45 to head!” proper as we’re all getting as much as take a piss at halftime might not be essentially the most well-timed spot to check out and juice everybody up once more.
Observe Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social
