The second day of the Spherical of 16 was a harsh lesson in a few soccer truths. The US realized that generally ball can lie as a result of it’s a devious kind. South Africa realized that should you don’t make the most of the moments you might have, the opposite staff at this stage will and also you’ll be going house. Let’s make it occur, captain.

Recreation of the day: Netherlands 2 – 0 South Africa

This event has been crammed with underdogs which have received the hearts of neutrals, which is what has made it so enjoyable, and definitely South Africa was one in all them. It made for a extra raucous environment in Sydney as properly, as a result of a bunch of USWNT followers confirmed up anticipating it to be the place the Yanks landed within the Spherical of 16, solely to seek out the Dutch and South Africa had stolen the invites. There was no manner these individuals had been going to be cheering on Netherlands, who had helped sentence the US to being away from there, so it was nearly a house sport for Bayana Bayana.

South Africa’s plan wasn’t something we hadn’t seen earlier than, one which had boxed up Italy and mailed them to Timbuktu in addition to given Sweden all it may deal with. They ceded the ball to the Dutch, hoping to attract them increasingly more ahead, leaving extra space for Thembi Kgatlana to romp via on the counter. South Africa was very happy to let her go 1-on-2 and even 1-on-3 so long as there was house, and she or he definitely threw a fright into the Netherlands all through the primary half:

The issue is all these runs matter much less whenever you’re already trailing 1-0, which is able to occur when a staff defends a nook like this:

May Jill Roord have missed this if she wished to?

The Dutch obtained awfully conservative after that via the remainder of the half, which solely obtained extra conservative with each time Kgatlana ran at them. However, at this very high stage, if one doesn’t make the possibilities rely, and South Africa didn’t, the opponent has somebody who will make you pay. Which meant South Africa was all the time going to be ready for Lieke Martens to do one thing like this to ship Lineth Beerensteyn via:

Sure, a goalkeeping error. However one has to smile at a wily and well-versed Martens seeing Kgatlana operating everywhere in the discipline after which exhibiting everybody that she will create the identical likelihood with two touches and never even transferring. Recreation, set, match.

So the Netherlands toddles on to face Spain, and the extra direct methodology of attacking that the latter confirmed in opposition to Switzerland via Alba Redondo and Esther Gonzalez within the frontline shall be a real take a look at. Bear in mind the Dutch had been up in opposition to it versus the US when the latter belatedly obtained one thing of their act collectively. The Dutch may even be with out Daniëlle van de Donk thanks to a suspension, and being with out a first-choice central midfielder might be not what you need when Aitana Bonmati walks out of the tunnel to play you.

Different outcomes: Sweden 0 – 0 USA (Sweden goes via on penalties)

We did this already!

Aim of the day

Simply wish to see Martens’s cross once more:

How is that this nonetheless a factor?

Talking of van de Donk’s suspension, how is getting two yellows over 4 matches worthy of a suspension in a brief event? The yellow card rule within the group stage has all the time been unfairly harsh and deprives groups of vital gamers for essentially the most essential matches. The US needed to go with out Rose Lavelle in opposition to Sweden (which really necessitated a essential formation change, however ignore that for a second) due to one rash problem and one dangerous refereeing choice. Playing cards in consecutive video games? Okay, may see that being worthy of a one-gamer. However two in three or particularly two in 4? That hardly signifies a reckless participant reenacting “Falling Down.” It’s been an issue for many years and but there’s been little to no push to alter it.

Did Alexei Lalas or Carli Lloyd say something silly?

Effectively positive!

One other word on Fox broadcasting: John Robust is an excellent play–by–play man who most likely ought to have been within the high spot for this event over JP Dellacamera’s must fill each clean house by saying one thing. Nevertheless, Robust’s pleasure over South Africa and their efficiency bordered on patronizing.

It’s one factor to get excited and lift one’s voice as an announcer when Kgatlana is bursting into the field or getting a shot on objective. It’s one other to do the identical when she’s getting fouled out close to the centerline as if he was amazed South Africa held onto the ball or long-established something in any respect. This occurred a pair instances all through the match. These are execs, in spite of everything. Not the whole lot that occurs at this event must be offered to us like a carny. Simply let the match breathe a bit.

Additionally, he’s most likely doing a bit at this level, however saving your signature name of “45 minutes within the books, 45 to go!” proper as we’re all getting as much as take a piss at halftime might be not essentially the most well-timed spot to try to juice everybody up once more.

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