– Strong of Sweden to turn around and win the game and it is most important to win, but there are things to worry about after this match, says SVT's expert Hanna Marklund after the victory.
Marklund is doubtful about the interventions at Sweden's backwards goal and wants to see more of players like Asllani, Angeldahl, Rolfö and Blackstenius for the next game.
Sweden looked to be heading for two dropped points as the clock approached 90 minutes. Sweden pressed on but the ball would not go in. But then the blue and yellow got a corner from the left. Kosovare Asllani hit it perfectly and just as perfectly, Amanda Ilestedt went up and nodded in the redemptive winning goal.
Before that, there was frustration in the Swedish camp. Johanna Kaneryd had a brilliant chance to score in the 88th minute on a post from the left. The South African goalkeeper slipped and Kaneryd could unchallenged spun the ball in but missed the ball completely with his head.
Rolfö equalized with his evil knee
The equalizer came just over ten minutes after the reverse goal, in the 65th minute. A questionable effort by the South African defense this time. Central defender Lebohang Ramalepe misjudged Kaneryd's post and Fridolina Rolfö, who came from behind, got a touch that was enough to get the ball into the goal. On the replays, it looks like the ball went in via Rolfö's knee, the same knee that was discussed extensively before the World Cup, the one that she has had problems with and will reportedly "fix" after the World Cup.
Defensive misses gave 0-1
South Africa shocked Sweden at the start of the second half when a long ball from the South African backline went all the way to striker Thembi Kgatlana where Amanda Ilestedt did not keep up at all. Kgatlana's shot was saved by Musovic but no better than the ball went to an onrushing Hildah Magaia who "ran" the ball into the net. Jonna Andersson failed to fend off Magaia in the penalty area.
Two questionable defense efforts that became costly for Sweden.
"You can't concede that goal. Much more focus is required. Both Ilestedt and Andersson must take their players. This is what we have been so good at before, not conceding easy goals but now in the training matches and here we are weak, says SVT's expert Hanna Marklund.
Sweden dominated possession in the first half but had few clear scoring chances. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd ran through on the right wing on several occasions but never got to the play-offs. The hottest blue and yellow situations came just before the break when Amanda Ilestedt nodded twice on corners and a shot by Elin Rubensson that snuck just over the crossbar.