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On Sunday, August 06th Banyana Banyana will play their first-ever knockout game at a World Cup. The South African women are fresh of achieving their first-ever World Cup win when edging Italy 3-2 and with 4 points sneaking into the last 16. Can they defy the odds again when take on the mighty Netherlands? Here we give you all Banyana Banyana team news and our predicted lineups too.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, August 06th and will be played in Sydney, Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium. The kick-off time is 03:00 am GMT. Now, let’s look at all Banyana Banyana team news ahead of the match.
Banyana Banyana lineup today: Can the South African women defend better?
South Africa played well in all 3 group-stage games. They took the lead vs Sweden and only lost 1-2 after conceding in the final minute. After that they led Argentina 2-0 with just 15 minutes left to play but eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Then came the drama vs Italy with Banyana Banyana coming from behind in this match to claim the win they needed in the dying minutes.
Conceding 2 goals in each of the group-stage matches is a worrying trend for South Africa and they are yet to find a way to defend better. Banyana Banyana have no fear going forward though and they already scored 6 goals this tournament.
South Africa come into this match as the heavy underdogs, so they have no pressure on them. Their most recent meeting vs the Netherlands wasn’t a happy one. Just over a year ago in a friendly Banyana Banyana lost 1-5.
Team news
The main Banyana Banyana team news concern the heart of the midfield. The team’s captain and most influential inner midfielder Jane got hurt against Argentina and she is not likely to be available. The main option to step into her shoes Biyana could start now though. She missed the last game suspended but now will return to the lineup.
Kgatlana scored her first World Cup goal vs Argentina only to follow that with the stoppage-time winner vs Italy. Her confidence is very high right now and she remains the main Banyana Banyana hope up front.
South Africa Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1):
Swart – Ramalepe, Mbane, Gamede, Dhalmini – Biyana, Motlhalo – Cesane, Seoposenwe, Magaia – Kgatlana
Netherlands predicted lineup: Are the Tulips heading towards another World Cup final?
The Netherlands topped a group containing the mighty USWNT team. Beaten finalists from the last World Cup the Tulips conceded just 1 goal in the 3 group-stage matches. They edged Portugal 1-0 in their first match. Then took the lead vs USWNT but had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the end. Their final showing saw them trash Vietnam 7-0.
With each passing game, the displays are getting better too so the Netherlands look like a team on a mission right now. Scored inside the opening 20 minutes in all 3 group games.
Team news
Juventus’ striker Lineth Beerenstyen sat out the last 2 games injured. She’s back training now and likely to be involved. The pushy forward is likely to begin on the bench though as the gaffer seems happy to use the same starting lineup that bagged 7 goals in the last match.
Here is how we think the Netherlands will line up in this opening game.
Netherlands Predicted Lineups (3-5-2):
Van Domselaar – Spitse, Van der Gragt, Janssen – Pelova, Roord, Groenen, Van de Donk, Brugts – Snoeijs, Martens
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