The Netherlands set up a Women’s World Cup quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa’s historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.
Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way in Sydney and Lineth Beerensteyn grabbed a second midway through the second half after a goalkeeping error.
With the win Netherlands, who are ranked nine in the world, avoided becoming the latest big-name casualty when they ended 54th-ranked South Africa’s fairytale.
NETBALL WORLD CUP | Watch every Origin Australian Diamonds & Finals matches FREE & LIVE on Kayo Freebies. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Comedic all-time own goal stuns Spain | 00:35
The second goal to Beerensteyn came after a shocking howler from Kaylin Swart, who seemingly had the shot covered only for the ball to slip through her hands.
While the Netherlands won, they will be without Daniëlle van de Donk after she was awarded a yellow card for a challenge on Andile Dlamini.
Van de Donk came into the game with a yellow, so her latest indiscretion means she will miss the next game against Spain.
Netherlands vs South Africa live blog!
USA PREPARE FOR SWEDEN TEST
All eyes will turn to Melbourne later on Sunday when the holders and Sweden battle for the right to face an impressive Japan in the last eight.
After Germany’s group-phase exit, the top-rated Americans and Sweden, third on the FIFA list, are the two highest-ranked teams left standing.
Vlatko Andonovski’s USA have looked unconvincing, squeezing into the knockout phase with a 0-0 draw against debutants Portugal and also being held by the Netherlands.
“The fact we are in, we are lucky, but we are moving on,” said Andonovski. “Now we will do everything possible so that same situation doesn’t happen again. We are doing everything we can to provide success and meet the expectations for everyone.” The United States and Sweden are familiar foes, having met six times before at World Cups, but never in the knockout stages.
The USA won their last World Cup encounter 2-0 in 2019 on their way to the title, but Sweden were 3-0 winners when they last met at the Tokyo Olympics.
Coach Peter Gerhardsson said history will mean nothing when they meet and is confident the underperforming champions can be beaten.
“It’s not something I look at, historical facts, I’m rooted in the present,” he said.
“There are a lot of new players in both line-ups so history is less important.
“(The Olympics) was two years ago, it’s all about the physical and mental shape we are in now,” he added.
“I have great confidence in the squad. We believe in this, believe we can win.”
Japan will be awaiting the winner after another impressive display in defeating Norway 3-1 on Saturday.
Spain — thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the group phase — were also convincing winners as they turfed out Switzerland 5-1.
Sweden vs USA live blog!
#Live #updates #score #schedule #South #Africa #Netherlands #USA #Sweden #teams
