…Sets up R16 match against Netherlands at 0300 Hours on Sunday.
The Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Wednesday stunned the Azzurre of Italy with a 3-2 victory enough to send the Italian girls back home from the Wellington Regional Stadium in the last group G games.
The Italians drew the first blood via a penalty kick through Juventus Forward, Ariano Caaruso who scored from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after Dhlamini bumped on Becccarri.
The equalizer came in the 32nd minute through an own goal when Benedetta Orsi’s back pass to goalkeeper Durante went out of reach for her.
Unmarked Hildah Magaia got assistance from Kgatlana in the 67th minute to put it over Durante for South African goal number two but Caruso completed her brace in the 74th minute when a ball came to her from a crowded box touching her on her hips and rolling into the net for the equalizer. South Africa 2 Italy 2.
The decider came 90+2nd minute when Racing Louisville player, Thembi Kgatlana who had scored against Argentina beat three players to just push it past helpless Durante. Africa went wild with jubilation as the Argentines wept knowing they are out of the tournament by whiskers.
The South Africans missed their Captain 30 year old Refiloe Jane who plays for Sassuolo of Italy as she got a knock along the line. Their dependable midfielder, Kholosa Biyana who plies her trade with Sporting de Gijon had two yellows and is suspended for this game.
Both teams only met once on 17th October 2007 when Italy won 2-0. Italy won their only African opponents, Nigeria 1-0 in 1991.
Sweden had dazed South Africa 2-1 in the first round matches and Italy won 1-0 over Argentina but in the second round matches, Argentina played 2-2 draw while Sweden ponded Italy 5-0.6 goals and conceding 6 also; Italy could only make 3 points from a win and two loses scoring 3 goals and conceding 8 while Argentina brought up the rear with only a point scoring 2 goals and conceding 5.
Sweden topped group G with maximum points of 9 scoring 9 goals and conceding only one; South Africa came second with 4 points from a win, a draw and a loss scoring
With the results today, South Africa will face Netherlands on Sunday at 0300 hours at the Allianz Stadium while Sweden that placed second will play four times champions USA at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium also on Sunday at 1000 hours in the Round of 16.
The Banyana Banyana team coached by Desiree Ellis is at the World Cup for the second time but they were sent out at the group stage in their last outing at France 2019. The team is in their first ever qualification for the Knockout stages.
We are still expecting at 1100 hours Group F matches. Panama the whipped team of the group will try to survive against former Champions, France at the Allianz Stadium while the Reggae Girlz will try to obtain another miracle with a win over the Samba Girls of Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
The last group games meant for Group H will be decided at 1100 hours tomorrow Thursday. African representative, Morocco will trade tackles with Columbia at the Perth Rectangular Stadium with Ref Maria Caputi of Italy in charge.
At the same time, South Korea that is yet to score a goal or score a point will engage the German Machine at the Lang Park Stadium also called Suncorp Stadium with New Zealand Ref Anne-Marie Keighley.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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