South Africa lose to Sweden in first group match
Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women’s World Cup Group G match on Sunday after a fortuitous equaliser from Fridolina Rolfo had cancelled out Hildah Magaia’s opener.
Under pouring rain in the New Zealand capital, the lanky Ilestedt jumped highest and squeezed the ball home to save her team’s blushes after they were left frustrated by the African champions for much of the opening hour of the game.
The result left the third-ranked Swedes top of their group, before Italy and Argentina play their opener in Auckland on Monday.
South Africa, ranked 54th, were looking for their first ever World Cup win in their second appearance at the tournament, having exited the group stage in 2019 without picking up a point.
The Bayana Bayana kept their more fancied opponents at bay in the first half, as a frustrated Sweden side controlled possession but could not find the finishing touch, and threatened on the counter.
Sweden’s Zecira Musovic had parried away Thembi Kgatlana’s shot but Magaia got to the rebound before Sweden defender Jonna Andersson and bundled the ball over the line two minutes after the break, scoring South Africa’s second ever World Cup goal.
But Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross skewed off defender Lebohang Ramalepe and bounced into the net off Rolfo to hand the Swedes a lifeline in the 66th minute.
Sweden pushed for a winner but they were denied by South Africa’s resolute defending, until Ilestedt met Kosovare Asllani’s corner with a strong header.
South Africa face Argentina in Dunedin on Friday in their next match and coach Desiree Ellis said there were plenty of positives to take from their opener.
“We knew that they were going to be a challenge at set pieces and I thought we handled that really well,” Ellis said. “Even though it was a loss, we’re very proud of the way we played.
“We have the speed and skill up front, we have the skill in midfield and defensively we were really good. That is a big plus for us.”
