Banyana heartbroken by defeat

Cape Town - Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has explained why the team are heartbroken at the nature of the defeat to Sweden in their opening Rio Olympics Group E clash.

Banyana looked comfortable for most of the match against the Swedes before a calamitous goalkeeping mistake by Roxanna Barker gifted their opponents the points.

The result is a big setback in the team's hopes of advancing out of a tough group that also contains Brazil and China.

Nonetheless, despite the loss, Van Wyk believes Banyana's spirit can carry them through against China on Sunday. She revealed why the heartbreaking nature of the loss to Sweden has only strengthened Banyana's resolve.

"It is heartbreaking that we didn't get any points against Sweden. I believe they didn't really deserve the three points, but we have to leave this behind, rectify our mistakes and focus on the next assignment," she told the South African Football Association's official website.

Banyana face China on Sunday in a match which could prove decisive in deciding whether or not Vera Pauw's side advance out of the group stages.