Johannesburg – On Saturday at the Kingsmeadow Sports Ground in London, the South African Women’s team suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Australia Ladies.
Courtnee Vine, a midfielder for the Matildas, scored the game’s first goal in the opening five minutes to give Australia an early lead.
The Australians executed their pressing trap to perfection, capitalizing on shoddy Banyana play and allowing Vibe to score from close range.
Banyana appeared to be a frightened wreck from the beginning, the polar opposite of their confidence and arrogance during their Wafcon success a few months prior.
In the 23rd minute, as the African champions struggled to find their footing, Vine scored a pair of goals to enhance Australia’s lead.
The deft winger displayed her quality once more as she punished Banyana, highlighting the disparity in quality between the two teams and extending the lead to 2-0.
All of Banyana’s deficiencies were exposed when experienced defender Clare Polkinghorne scored for the third time, jumping highest and heading the ball past a helpless Regiri Ngubeni.
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has emphasized the significance of her team facing some of the finest teams in the world in preparation for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
As soon as Arsenal Ladies striker Caitlin Foord scored Australia’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute, the importance of achieving the standard required to participate in women’s football’s most prestigious tournament became a top priority.
Hilda Magaia, the hero of the 2022 Wafcon victory, contributed a bit of brilliance when she scored a Banyana consolation goal in the 87th minute.
Notably, Banyana faced an Australian women’s team ranked 12th in the Women’s Fifa World Rankings without a number of their key players.
Jermaine Seopenswe captained Banyana in the absence of usual captain and dependable midfielder Refiloe Jane, and Bambanani Mbane was paired with an unknown partner in Tiisetso Makhubela at the heart of the defense.
Banyana’s technical staff made substitutions after falling behind 4-0, as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies midfielder Thalea Smidt struggled to adapt to the pace and quality of the Australians.
Robyn Moodaly entered the field in place of Smidt, while Melinda Kgadiete bolstered the offense in place of Thubelihle Shamase.
@ScribeSmiso