Upset Galore as Reggae Girlz, Banyana Banyana Reach Last 16

*Favourites Brazil, Italy, Argentina Knocked out in shocking fashion

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz, ranked 43rd in the world and 54th ranked Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Wednesday created the biggest upsets so far at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, progressing to the Last 16 stage .

Both countries stopped the likes of favourites Brazil, Italy and Argentina from progressing to the knockout phase of the tournament.

First, It was the Reggae Girlz who set the stage for the biggest upset to be seen so far in the tournament when these Jamaicans held almighty Brazil to a goalless draw in Melbourne to reach the Last 16 for the first time.

Brazil, who needed victory to progress, dominated their final Group F encounter at AAMI Park but could not find a breakthrough and bowed out at the group stage for the first time since 1995.

The Reggae Girlz, who held France 0-0 in their opening match before beating Panama 1-0, have yet to concede a goal at the tournament and finished second on five points behind group winners France on seven points.

Brazil, who recalled striker Marta to the starting XI, could not find the goal they needed and failed to progress for the first time in 28 years.

Marta, 37, is the all-time leading scorer in men or women’s World Cups with 17 goals in six tournaments. Jamaica could face Colombia or Germany in the Last 16.

Jamaica manager, Lorne Donaldson, said his team had “never had this much fun”.

“We were not expected to be in the World Cup in 2019,” said Donaldson. “The programme was fairly new and we said, ‘Oh, we’re in!’. It was like being deer in headlights.

“We were very young and happy to be there. This time around we said, ‘Hey, we’re not just going to show up. We’re going to get out of the group.’ Our mentality was that nothing is impossible.”

Elsewhere in Wellington, New Zealand, South Africa claimed their first Women’s World Cup win with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Italy.

Golden girl Thembi Kgatlana’s stoppage-time winner came after Italy fought back to level with an Arianna Caruso header.

The late drama completed an emotional fortnight for the South African goalscorer who lost three family members in the last two weeks yet continued to be part of the Banyana Banyana squad.

After earning a first World Cup point in their 2-2 draw with Argentina, South Africa showed uncommon zeal and determination to emulate Nigeria to reach their first knockout stage feat.

But Kgatlana’s stoppage-time winner broke the hearts of Italians at home and abroad as the South Africans finished on four points behind Group winner Sweden on maximum nine points.

Speaking after their first ever progress to the knockout phase, South Africa’s Head Coach, Desiree Ellis, was in Cloud Nine.

“They fought like warriors,”gushed Ellis to reporters.

“They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.”

RESULTS

Jamaica 0-0 Brazil

Panama 3-6 France

Argentina 0-2 Sweden

S’Africa 3-2 Italy

GROUP F

P. W. D. L. GF. GA. GD. Pts

France 3. 2. 1 0 8. 4. 4. 7

Jamaica 3. 1 2. 0 1. 0 1. 5

Brazil 3. 1. 1. 1. 5. 2. 3. 4

Panama. 3. 0. 0. 3. 3. 11. -18. 0

GROUP G