Banyana squander two-goal lead to draw with Argentina
July 28, 2023
Banyana Banyana allowed a two-goal lead to slip as Argentina came back to claim a 2-2 draw in their Pool G game in Dunedin at the Women’s World Cup.
It was a less-than-ideal result for both teams as it leaves them anchored at the foot of the table with just one more match a piece.
South Africa took the lead in the 30th minutes when Glasgow City winger Linda Motlhalo made the most of a Thembi Kgatlana assist.
Racing Louisville forward Kgatlana was a dynamo throughout, and while she spurned several chances, she was the scorer of the second goal as South Africa looked home and dry in the 66th minute.
But Argentina fought back bravely with goals in the 74th and 79th minutes to claim a share of the spoils.
Speaking after the game Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said: “That’s the problem – we don’t take our chances. It comes back to haunt us every time.
“How many chances did we create? How many final third entries did we have that we did not complete? We were in complete control of the game and we just needed to finish it off.
“We lost the ball a lot in certain areas. It’s criminal. It hurts a lot. We have to take responsibility – it has to be better.
“That was a great opportunity to put us a step ahead [in the group] but it is not all lost. We have put ourselves in this position by not taking our chances.”
South Africa’s final game of pool play is against Italy, a match they must win to have any hope of advancing to the knock-out stage. But it won’t be easy as they may well be without skipper Refiloe Jane, – who left the field on a stretcher. To make matters worse her replacement Kholosa Biyana picked up a yellow card which means she will be suspended for the Italy game.
Meanwhile, Argentina manager Germán Portanova said he was delighted with his sides’ comeback. “I told them to play, have fun, dribble and play their best games. That’s why we are here. They are wonderful players.
“I wanted to see them playing with that love that optimises our football. We were a bit slow in the first half. In the second half, we changed and there was a huge feeling. We moved ahead with self-confidence.
“The thing I most admire about these players is the constant desire to grow. I’m really emotional about what they achieved,” he said.
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Banyana squander two-goal lead to draw with Argentina
Banyana Banyana allowed a two-goal lead to slip as Argentina came back to claim a 2-2 draw in their Pool G game in Dunedin at the Women’s World Cup.
It was a less-than-ideal result for both teams as it leaves them anchored at the foot of the table with just one more match a piece.
South Africa took the lead in the 30th minutes when Glasgow City winger Linda Motlhalo made the most of a Thembi Kgatlana assist.
Racing Louisville forward Kgatlana was a dynamo throughout, and while she spurned several chances, she was the scorer of the second goal as South Africa looked home and dry in the 66th minute.
But Argentina fought back bravely with goals in the 74th and 79th minutes to claim a share of the spoils.
Speaking after the game Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said: “That’s the problem – we don’t take our chances. It comes back to haunt us every time.
“How many chances did we create? How many final third entries did we have that we did not complete? We were in complete control of the game and we just needed to finish it off.
“We lost the ball a lot in certain areas. It’s criminal. It hurts a lot. We have to take responsibility – it has to be better.
“That was a great opportunity to put us a step ahead [in the group] but it is not all lost. We have put ourselves in this position by not taking our chances.”
South Africa’s final game of pool play is against Italy, a match they must win to have any hope of advancing to the knock-out stage. But it won’t be easy as they may well be without skipper Refiloe Jane, – who left the field on a stretcher. To make matters worse her replacement Kholosa Biyana picked up a yellow card which means she will be suspended for the Italy game.
Meanwhile, Argentina manager Germán Portanova said he was delighted with his sides’ comeback. “I told them to play, have fun, dribble and play their best games. That’s why we are here. They are wonderful players.
“I wanted to see them playing with that love that optimises our football. We were a bit slow in the first half. In the second half, we changed and there was a huge feeling. We moved ahead with self-confidence.
“The thing I most admire about these players is the constant desire to grow. I’m really emotional about what they achieved,” he said.