Women’s World Cup: Underdogs South Africa are Sweden’s First Roadblock

Sweden vs South Africa

Sweden are aiming to shed their “nearly” nation tag here in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and their journey starts against South Africa on Sunday at the Wellington Regional Stadium.

The Swedes are the huge favourites to come out of Group G because they are the third-ranked team in the updated FIFA women’s rankings. But despite their collective talent, they haven’t done much in recent years, and my SBOTOP colleague was on point when he likened them to Belgium’s men’s national football team.

South Africa are the massive underdogs in the group, but they aren’t content just to be here. The reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions will look to shock and awe since they’re representing the African continent loud and proud.

Talking Points

Last chance for Sweden’s Golden Generation?

Because they’re a squad with well over 1,000 caps combined, the Swedes have a lot of big tournament experience that will surely see them through.

Sweden will look to finally pick up major silverware as their stars are approaching the twilight of their national team careers.

Team captain Caroline Seger is going to make her fifth appearance at a Women’s World Cup tournament, and she has seen it all. The 38-year-old midfielder is the team’s most-capped player with 235 caps, and she also has an eye for goal, scoring 32 for her country.

Vice-captain Kosovare Asilani is also an established veteran for Sweden. The 33-year-old currently plies her trade at AC Milan, and she has registered 170 caps and 44 goals.

Sweden have a couple of top-notch forwards who can produce Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights. In recent years, it has been San Diego Wave striker Sofia Jakobsson who has been leading the line, and the 33-year-old has notched 144 caps and 23 goals.

However, Jakobsson won’t have to do it all alone in the final third, as Stina Blackstenius and Lina Hurtig are currently in their primes at 27 years old. The Arsenal duo have 152 caps and 48 goals combined.

Peter Gerhardsson has been coaching the team since 2017, and the pressure is on him to finally deliver. So basically, this is title or bust for them.

South Africa shouldn’t be written off

South Africa are looking to avoid the same fate as in their Women’s World Cup debut in 2019, where they lost all three of their group stage matches.

They are the presumed cellar dwellers in Group G because they’re coming in at no. 54 in the FIFA women’s rankings, but they remain confident even if they’ll miss a key player on their squad.

Unfortunately, they’ll be without Janine van Wyk, who is their most-capped player with 183 caps, as head coach Desiree Ellis confirmed that the 36-year-old is dealing with an injury.

With van Wyk sidelined, South Africa will rely on Refiloe Jane, who is their best midfielder and team captain. Jane has notched 116 caps for the team, and she’s currently playing for Sassuolo in Italy.

And the omission of van Wyk opens the door for Thembi Kgatlana, who is arguably their best attacking option. Kgatlana currently plays for Racing Louisville in the NWSL, and she’s just 27 years old.

History

Sweden and South Africa will meet for the fifth time and for the first time at the Women’s World Cup. In their previous four meetings, the Swedes are undefeated against Banyana Banyana (W3, D1), with all of them being clean sheets.

Sweden are one of the seven nations that have competed at each Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991.

The closest the Swedes got to a Women’s World Cup crown was in 2003, when they were runners-up behind Germany. In their last appearance in 2019, Sweden lost to Netherlands in the semi-final in extra time.

On the other hand, South Africa will make its second successive Women’s World Cup appearance here. Thembi Kgatlana was the scorer of the country’s only Women’s World Cup goal to date in their 3-1 loss to Spain in the opening match of the 2019 edition of this competition.

Betting Tip

The Women’s World Cup 2023 odds fancy Sweden’s chances to win on the opener, as they’re priced at 1.08, while South Africa are at 8.75, and a draw is at 10.00 in the 1X2 market.

While South Africa should put up more of a fight in the group stage this time, the talent deficit between them and Sweden is simply hard to ignore, so the Swedes should beat Banyana Banyana by at least two goals.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.