MICHAEL FINCH, Johannesburg | Monday 10.00am.
BE impressed Mr Ramsamy, be very impressed.
In a series where South Africa were just hoping to hold their own and prove to the National Olympic Committee Of South Africa (Nocsa) that they are worthy of Olympic selection, the result could not have been better.
South Africa’s sparkling 2-1 victory Asian Games champions India at the Randburg Astro on Sunday afternoon, must go down as a milestone in the men’s sport in this country.
With some players, notably Justin King and Brad Michalaro, still battling with the tummy bug that afflicted eight of the players before Friday’s night’s drawn first Test, South Africa beat a country that considers hockey only second to cricket in terms of importance.
For India losing to South Africa will be tantamount to South Africa losing to Kenya in cricket, but on Sunday they were rarely allowed any room to show off their skills and speed.
For a country like South Africa, ranked outside the world’s top ten, to beat a nation ranked sixth or seventh and with a national training squad of 60 players, is solid proof of the team’s capabilities.
“It was a very committed performance, but I still think we have a lot of improving to do,” coach Giles Bonnet said afterwards.
Make no mistake, it was no soft win and South Africa were up against India’s best team.
Now what remains for South Africa is too prove it was no fluke and secure a series win in the five match series. The third Test takes place on Tuesday at the same venue at 7pm.
After the two teams had drawn the first match 0-0 on Friday night, South Africa came back from early goal by Samir Dad to score through Justin King on halftime and then through Mike Cullen in the second half.
In the first half, the South Africans looked unable to cope with the speed and skill of the visitors and it came as no surprise when Dad latched onto a free hit just outside the circle to deflect the ball home.
South Africa responded seconds before the halftime hooter was blown when the unmarked King blasted home from a short corner variation.
In the second half, the South Africans defended superbly and relied
on a solid midfield build-up to launch numerous attacks at the Indian goal.
India in contrast relied on their speed and guile to counter attack
as often as possible, but the ploy only realised patchy results.
The winning goal came 20 minutes into the new half when right wing Greg Nicol jinxed his way through the defence on the right wing, before passing to an unmarked Cullen who blasted the ball home from short range. — MWP