WeeklySA_AdminADJUSTED: A WIN AGAINST SWEDEN WILL SET THE TONE FOR REST OF TOURNAMENT
By Sports Reporter
Banyana Banyana are gearing themselves for a difficult FIFA Women’s World Cup opening match against highly-ranked Sweden in Wellington on Sunday.
The players also understand that a good start in their opening match of the tournament will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Banyana Banyana have already adjusted to the wet and freezing conditions in New Zealand.
Both Banyana Banyana and Sweden should know what to expect from each other. The last time the two nations met was back in January 2019, in an international friendly that ended in a goalless draw.
In the first match between the two nations, the third-ranked Sweden won 3-0 in another international friendly in January 2018.
Banyana Banyana midfielder Robyn Moodaly says the last international friendly against Costa Rica last week showed them which areas they needed to concentrate on.
The team must avoid conceding free kicks in dangerous areas and must also come up with a strategy to defend set-pieces.
South Africa is ranked 54th in the world in the latest FIFA world rankings, but Moodaly says they fancy their chances. This is Banyana Banyana’s second World Cup in a row, and the experience gained in France in 2019 will come in handy this time around.
On Monday Sweden and Banyana Banyana attended a joint welcoming event in New Zealand upon arrival and shared moments of song and culture.
But it will be a different kettle of fish on the field of play when the two nations face each other in their opening match. The Sunday match kicks off at seven o’clock in the morning, South African time.
