Sweden showed strength to defeat South Africa says Arsenal’s Ilestedt | OneFootball

Amanda Ilestedt says that Sweden showed strength in coming from behind to defeat South Africa 2-1 in Wellington this morning.

Hildah Magaia bundled South Africa into a shock lead early in the second half but goals from Fridolina Rolfö and Arsenal’s summer signing Ilestedt ensured that Sweden got their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 campaign off to a winning start.

Sweden managed to turn the game around in difficult playing conditions at the Wellington Regional Stadium with heavy rain falling throughout the match. Ilestedt said that the manner of Sweden’s comeback showed real strength.

“It was a difficult match,” Ilestedt said when speaking in the post-match press conference. “We had a lot of the ball and tried to get in behind them but we struggled to create good chances to score.

“After the (first) goal, we grew into the game and pressed a little bit more. I think it shows strength to come out of this game with a win given the difficult conditions.”

Ilestedt went on to say that Sweden can take the momentum from the second half with them into the next game. While it wasn’t a vintage performance, she said that her side are pleased with the result.

She said “We are really positive about the win, we are really happy. As I said, they scored the first goal and to win this kind of game by scoring two goals, is something that we can take with us.

“We are really happy about the win and three points is what matters right now.”

Sweden and Ilestedt return to Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday when they face Italy in their second group match.