August 6, 2023
Key posts
1.04pmSam Kerr off her feet but appears set for Matildas return against Denmark12.56pmHT: Netherlands 1, South Africa 012.11pmGOAL – Roord has scored12.04pmYour view: Who wins this match?11.59amHow South Africa will start11.59amHow Netherlands will start11.48am‘They don’t know when to stop’: South Africa primed for Netherlands upset11.43amA preview of our first match
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1.04pm
Sam Kerr off her feet but appears set for Matildas return against Denmark
By Emma Kemp
Sam Kerr was back on the exercise bike the day before Australia’s knockout clash with Denmark but still appears on track to make her first World Cup appearance on Monday night.
A day after the Matildas skipper and striker said she “will play” in the round of 16 at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, she had what team officials described as an “off feet day” at training.
Sam Kerr on exercise bikeCredit: Edwina Pickles
Kerr, media was told, has been alternating between an “on feet day” and “off feet day” as she recovers from the calf injury that stopped her playing the entire group stage.
On Saturday she posted photos on Instagram of herself at a closed training session, running in a bib which indicated she may have been a part of the team’s match day minus two hit-out, though it seems doubtful she would have participated in anything too intense given Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik were both concussed in a similar intra-team match before Australia’s group-stage loss to Nigeria.
12.56pm
HT: Netherlands 1, South Africa 0
Jill Roord’s goal has Netherlands ahead but South Africa finished the half as arguably the better side creating multiple chances for captain Themi Kgatlana.
There is nothing in this match and if RSA can score early in this second half, who knows what can happen as Kgatlana is a world-class playmaker and scorer.
Jill Roord (2nd from right) of Netherlands celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal.Credit: Getty Images
12.49pm
Kgatlana could have tied it
Kgatlana was put into goal with only the keeper to beat and she tried to put the ball between her legs but was denied by a desperation dive.
van Domselaar has a big second half to come in this second half, Kgatlana has already had three shots so far.
NED 1, RSA 0 after 45 mins
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana in action.Credit: Reuters
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12.45pm
South Africa forced into second sub
RSA defender Bambanani Mbane has been one of the most involved players for her nation so far and is a key pillar of their defence but she has taken a blow on her ankle and is being stretchered off.
She looks in great pain and is being substituted with Tiisetso Makhubela coming on in her place.
NED 1, RSA 0 after 42 mins.
Netherlands’ Stefanie van der Gragt in action with South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo.Credit: Reuters
12.38pm
Kgatlana almost equalises
Kgatlana is the threat for South Africa and she almost came up with a moment of magic running a series of stepovers from the left flank before cutting inside and into the box where her shot was saved by Oranje keeper Daphne van Domselaar.
While Kgatlana is in this game, South Africa is always a chance.
NED 1, RSA 0 after 36 mins.
12.31pm
RSA forced into sub after injury
South African midfielder Jermaine Seoposenwe went down with what looked like an ankle injury a few minutes ago and tried to play on but has waved to the bench that she needs to come off.
Attacking player Wendy Shongwe is set to come on.
NED 1, RSA 0 after 30 mins.
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12.23pm
Both sides still attacking
As expected, Netherlands are having much more “controlled possession” then RSA but they continue to challenge on the counterattack with captain and star playmaker Thembi Kgatlana breaking away down the middle twice in the opening 20 minutes.
Her second shot looked to have been tipped over by the keeper but was called a goal kick.
NED 1, RSA 0 after 20 minutes.
Netherlands’ Victoria Pelova (17) and South Africa’s Hildah Magaia vie for the ball.Credit: AP
12.11pm
GOAL – Roord has scored
UPDATED: Jill Roord is Jilly on the spot once again.
The RSA defence cleared a header off the line but only into the path of Roord who tapped it home from point-blank range.
Roord, a midfielder, has scored four times in this world cup.
NED 1, RSA 0 after nine mins.
Netherlands’ Jill Roord scores their first goal.Credit: Reuters
12.07pm
It’s game on in Sydney
Netherlands and South Africa are underway with Netherlands in their “Oranje” colours and South Africa in their black kit.
South Africa has made some moves forward so far but have been cut off by the Oranje who have yet to settle into any lengthy possessions.
The winner of this match plays Spain and a reminder that there must be a result so there will be extra time if they are tied up at full time and then, if they are still locked up, then a penalty shootout.
NED 0, RSA 0 after five mins.
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12.04pm
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