The Women’s World Cup has been whittled down to 16 teams. Some big names have headed home, as Brazil, Germany, and Italy were sent packing.
Just three wins separate the remaining teams from the final in Sydney.
Caitlin Dijkstra 🤝 @FIFAWWC 🌏Gefeliciteerd met je WK-debuut, Caitlin! 🫶#FIFAWWC #TheOranjeBeat pic.twitter.com/caqNfhFutr— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) August 2, 2023
Caitlin Dijkstra 🤝 @FIFAWWC 🌏Gefeliciteerd met je WK-debuut, Caitlin! 🫶#FIFAWWC #TheOranjeBeat pic.twitter.com/caqNfhFutr
On Sunday, the Netherlands will play South Africa at Syndey Football Stadium, with a berth in the quarterfinals on the line.
This will be the fifth match between the Netherlands and South Africa all time.
The Dutch have never lost to the South African women’s team.
Can the Banyana Banyana shock the Netherlands in Sydney?
The Dutch topped Group E thanks to wins over Portugal and Vietnam and a draw with the United States.
Andries Jonker’s team was the best in Group E and deserved to finish top of the group ahead of second-place United States.
South Africa are one of the surprises of the Women’s World Cup. The Banyana Banyana are playing in their second consecutive Women’s World Cup tournament.
Four years ago in France, South Africa were eliminated at the group stage after three losses.
The Banyana Banyana finished second in Group G behind group winners Sweden.
Desiree Ellis’s team took four points in the group stage thanks to a 2-2 draw against Argentina and a 3-2 win over Italy.
Although South Africa lost 2-1 to Sweden, they took the game to their opponents. Group G was arguably the weakest group.
The winner of Sunday’s round of 16 tie between the Netherlands and South Africa will face off with the winner of Spain or Switzerland.
Sunday’s match in Sydney will be the fifth all-time meeting between the Netherlands and South Africa.
The Dutch won all four previous matches between the national teams. South Africa scored just three times across the four meetings, allowing 11 goals to the Oranje.
The Netherlands averaged 2.75 goals per match. The teams’ most recent meeting was in 2022 in a friendly. The Dutch stormed to a 5-1 win
Since their previous encounter, South Africa has shown significant improvement, while the Netherlands are currently in excellent form. The Oranje are favored to win, and it's likely that over 2.5 goals will be scored.