Banyana Banyana suffered a second loss to the Netherlands in the space of four days as the side continues their preparation for the Olympic Games.
Two goals in either half by Vivianne Miedema were enough to hand the Dutch a 2-0 victory over Banyana Banyana in the second international friendly match played on Tuesday at the Mandemakers Stadium in Waalwijk.
The hosts won the first encounter 1-0 three days ago.
Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw made two changes to the side that started the first match – bringing in Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo for Thembi Kgatlana and Sanah Mollo.
The home side made wholesale changes as they brought in ten players – with only captain Sherida Spitse retaining her place.
Like the first encounter, the visitors started on the back foot as the home side was calling all the shots.
But the defence managed to hold firm until the 31st minute when Miedema was unmarked and sent in a curler that beat Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Roxanne Barker – whose fingertips were not enough to stop the ball.
The South Africans slowly got back in to the match and could have equalised but Motlhalo blasted her shot over the bar in front of goal in the 40th minute.
A minute to the break Nompumelolo Nyandeni’s long range strike was tipped over the bar.
The second stanza was a completely different affair for the visitors as they had chances of their own but still could not find the elusive equaliser.
But first they had to deal with a dangerous cross which went over Barker and was cleared off the line by Leandra Smeda in the 46th minute.
Pauw made two changes as she brought on Thembi Kgatlana for Stephanie Malherbe and Sanah Mollo for Refiloe Jane. Two minutes before full time Barker had to make a diving save from another curler that looked very dangerous.
On the stroke of full time, the Banyana Banyana defence allowed Miedema her second goal of the day as Barker could do nothing about the well struck ball.
The game marked a huge milestone for former captain Amanda Dlamini who made her 99th appearance for the country – just one shy of joining her compatriots Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Portia Modise and Nompumelelo Nyandeni as a centurion.
The South Africans return home on Wednesday, 8 June and will land in Johannsburg on Thursday morning (9 June) at 07h30.
The next assignment for Banyana Banyana is the much-anticipated clash against World Champions the USA which will take place next month (9 July) in Chicago.
Banyana will start their Olympic campaign against Sweden in Rio de Janeiro on August 3 before tackling China and hosts Brazil.
Photo: Safa.net
