Banyana Banyana had to settle for a point in their Women’s World Cup Group G game against Argentina on Friday, blowing a two goal lead in a 2-2 draw as they were denied their first ever victory on the highest global stage.
They will have to beat Italy in their final fixture on Wednesday to stand a chance of advancing to the round of 16 and will rue what might have been in Dunedin after a superb performance for 75 minutes of the game.
But what do the numbers say about their showing against Argentina?
POSSESSION
Banyana had only 39 percent of the ball, but coach Des Ellis does not mind that, That is the game-plan, soak up the pressure and then hit their opponents on the break. And it worked superbly to take them into a 2-0 lead after goals from Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana.
It will be the same against Italy, but with so much speed and skill on the ball in the team, they can transition quickly up the field.
SHOTS
Despite seeing less of the ball, Banyana had more shots (12) than Argentina (11), including more on target (4 v 3). The fact that the South Americans only had three shots on target and scored from two of them will be a major disappointment. Banyana had held their opponents so well for so long until those final 15 minutes. Argentina did not have a single shot on target in the first half.
ATTEMPTS ON GOAL
An amazing statistic emerged after the Sweden game. Banyana had only had four attempts on target in the entire 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, but they managed that same number in the single game against the Swedes. They did it again in this match, which just shows the tremendous evolution of this team over the last four years. They remain a side packed with potential.
EXPECTED GOALS
Banyana lead the way here two with almost double the number of expected goals than Argentina. Banyana had 1.92 versus 0.74 for their opponents, which shows again just why it was so disappointing to concede twice.
MOST ATTEMPTS ON GOAL BY A PLAYER
This fell to Kgatlana, who had four attempts in total in the game, grabbing her goal with one of them. So much of Banyana’s good attacking play goes through her.
HARD RUNNING
Banyana striker Hildah Magaia was the hardest worker on the pitch, running a total of 11.7 kilometres during the game, more than anyone else. That showed she is not just about goals, but also a high work-rate and willingness to bust a gut for the team. She also had the most sprints (78) of any player in the team.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Kgatlana, who scored one goal and laid on the other. It was her clever run to beat the offside trap that laid a chance on a plate for Motlhalo to tap home.
Kgatlana could have tried to beat the keeper herself, but coach Des Ellis spoke after the Sweden loss about making better decisions in the final third. Kgatlana made the right one here. She then got the second as she scooped the ball home from close range from Jermaine Seoposenwe’s cross. Kgatlana really is a special player.
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