Banyana coach rues another World Cup lead slipping away: 'This one hurts more'

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said the 2-2 draw against Argentina in their World Cup Group G fixture in Dunedin on Friday hurt even more than last Saturday's opening 2-1 loss against Sweden.

Banyana were again guilty of letting a lead slip, this time frittering away a two-goal buffer secured by Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana in the 30th and 66th minutes respectively.

Argentina roared back into the game and kept their World Cup hopes alive in a five-minute spell between the 74th and the 79th minutes when Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez found the back of the net.

The draw denied Banyana their first World Cup win, but still earned a first World Cup point that may come in handy against Italy in Wellington on Wednesday.

In the Sweden game, Banyana had scored first through Hildah Magaia, but conceded a late winner to come away with nothing from that game.

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Ellis said they let themselves down in certain aspects of the game, something they needed to take responsibility for.

"Both results hurt because we gave a lot in that Sweden, but I think this one hurts a little bit more," Ellis said.

"We were in complete control of the game, but we needed to finish off the game and we didn't. We lost the ball a lot in certain areas, and we weren't pressing very well.

"This was evident because when we cleared the ball, there was no one pressing on the ball and when the cross came in, no one was picking up.

"You have to pick up, you have to press and you have to make sure. It hurts differently, but it still hurts, whether we like it or not.

"We could have had different scenarios and we need to look at ourselves and ask what we can do better because we have to take responsibility."

Banyana's midfield meltdown had a