Chelsea Women at 2023 World Cup: Previewing knockout stage

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Eve Perisset of Chelsea and France warms up prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

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WELLINGTON, AUSTRALIA -JULY 27: Aniek Nouwen of Chelsea, Dominique Janssen and Damaris Egurrola of Netherlands prepare to defend a corner kick during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) /

Netherlands vs. South Africa

Kick-off time: 10:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. BST

Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Aniek Nouwen

The 24-year-old central defender came onto the pitch for the final 45 minutes of the Netherlands’ second group stage match against the No. 1 ranked United States. She slotted in as the middle center back of the Dutch’s back line for Stefanie van der Gragt. She finished second on the team in total clearances, but other than that, the former AC Milan loanee did not do a whole lot.

Nouwen was in the middle of the box when Lindsey Horan smashed home a header to equalize the match off a set-piece. Heading into the contest against the underdogs, South Africa, the west Londoner will more than likely start on the bench with the Dutch deploying a back three of Sherida Spitse, Sherida Spitse, and van der Gragt.

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