Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis lauded the performance and effort of her players in the side's 1-0 defeat to China at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Banyana succumbed to their second defeat in Group B, heading into their final round robin encounter against two-time champions Germany on Monday.
The South Africans went into the game against China determined to bounce back after the 3-1 defeat to Spain over the weekend, but they were not able to register their first points at the world showpiece.
China did not have many opportunities, but they took the one they had and held on for the victory, though they were never threatened at the back by Banyana.
"Very disappointed with the result. We knew that it was going to be another battle that we had to win this time round, but lapse of concentration…but we had a couple of chances. We spoke about the chances that we have and do not score from," Ellis said after the game.
"Obviously when we were chasing the game, going three at the back, they had more chances. What's the use of sitting back when you are down? Go for it, but we were not composed when we were in good areas near the goals. We were not composed to maybe see better options. But the effort out there was incredible, players puttng their bodies on the line.
"China got very little opportunities and I thought Kaylin coming in for Andile was another good performance by her, but I have to take my hat off to the whole team. Even the players who came on showed their quality."