HOCKEY NEWS - The South African women’s hockey team earned themselves automatic qualification for next year’s Hockey World Cup in England with a 3-0 victory over Ireland at the Wits Astro in Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon.
Taking on their first of the playoff games for fifth to eighth place at the Hockey World League, the South Africans needed to win the match to guarantee at least sixth spot – and with that a place in the global tournament.
That they did in convincing fashion and they’ll face Japan in their next playoff game on Saturday afternoon with the aim of finishing in fifth spot at their home tournament. Japan defeated India 2-0 in their playoff game.
Lisa-Marie Deetlefs was the first to score for the SA side, who finally managed to convert a penalty corner for the first time at this tournament.
The initial shot was, in fact, saved by the Irish keeper but the rebound fell to Deetlefs, whose powerful reverse stick shot from the top of the D found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
“No words can explain it. I just saw the ball and thought hit it as hard as you can and when I saw it going in I was just as surprised as everyone else. It was great way to start,” said a thrilled Deetlefs afterwards.
The first penalty corner for Ireland came with one minute to go to halftime.
The shot was saved by SA keeper Phumelela Mbande, but Ireland’s second shot on goal hit SA’s Nicolene Terblanche’s body on the line so a penalty stroke was awarded to the Irish.
It was Roisin Upton who stepped up to take the stroke, but she smashed it into the right post and the South Africans took their 1-0 lead into the break
The third quarter wasn’t a convincing one from the SA side, who gave away far too much ball and struggled to make any impression on attack.
Mbande did well to keep the home team in the lead with some impressive saves and there was more of the same pressure at the start of the fourth quarter.
But the South Africans toughed it out and, completely against the run of play, managed to double their lead in the 49th minute. This time it was Bernie Coston who smashed one in.
