2019 runners-up, Netherlands meet South Africa for a spot in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Quarter-Finals.
Netherlands are seeking to reach the Quarter-Finals for a second consecutive Women’s World Cup, whilst South Africa look to extend their deepest World Cup run yet.
Team News
Lineth Beerensteyn is a doubt for Netherlands after she missed their last two matches with an ankle injury, which she suffered in the Dutch’s opening win over Portugal.
Manager, Andries Jonker though is expected to name an unchanged line-up which comfortably beat Vietnam 7-0 in their final Group E match.
South Africa could welcome Kholosa Biyana back into contention after she missed their 3-2 comeback to beat Italy through suspension.
Refiloe Jane (soft tissue) is unlikely to be available for selection.
When is Kick-Off?
Netherlands will face South Africa at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia on Sunday 6 August, with kick-off at 3am UK Time live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is the Netherlands’ first-ever Women’s World Cup meeting against South Africa.
- South Africa have won just one of four previous meetings against European opposition at Women’s World Cup (W1, L3), defeating Italy 3-2 in their final Group G match to qualify for this stage.
- Netherlands have won their only previous Women’s World Cup meeting against African opposition (W1). beating Cameroon in the Group Stage in the 2019 tournament in France.
- Three of Netherlands’ nine goals at this World Cup have been scored by Jill Roord.
- South Africa have kept no clean sheets in six matches at Women’s World Cup Finals, during which they scored in four of six matches except for Group Stage losses to China and Germany in 2019.
Prediction
Out of all eight ties in the Round of 16, this tie on paper looks the most one-sided with the Netherlands entering this game in strong form, especially off the back of a clinical yet ruthless demolition of Vietnam so I do expect confidence to be high.
This tournament though has a habit of delivering shocks so the 2019 runners-up will need to be wary of South Africa’s attacking pace and end product, especially if they want to enter the Quarter-Finals with three clean sheets in four matches.
South Africa however are a team who can’t be written off because their attacking quality has proven quite hot for teams to handle at this World Cup, especially in terms of team spirit to twice fight back in their five-goal thriller to eliminate Italy.
There however lies one massive weakness within Desiree Ellis’ Banyana Banyana in that their defence can be fragile at times with no clean sheets in six World Cup matches, which should mean goals are guaranteed here unless they can tighten up and deliver a counter-attacking masterclass.
Sadly I just don’t see that happening and they probably will need the Dutch to replicate USA’s dreadful end product just to stand any chance of winning, as I can see just one outcome looming although they might just give the Dutch a game given their goalscoring form.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-1 South Africa
Result: Netherlands 2-0 South Africa