The South African women’s hockey team suffered their second defeat in as many matches at the Olympic Games as Australia gave a lesson in composure to inflict a 3-0 defeat on the African champions.
Australia led 2-0 at the break.
South Africa had a couple of gilt-edged chances through Pietie Coetzee early on but their ace striker failed to convert as the defending Olympic champions absorbed the immense pressure.
Both teams were able to sustain a furious pace.
Australia, Olympic champions in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000), made sporadic forays into the South African circle, but the defence was more than up to the task for much of the first half.
But the Hockeyroos went from strength to strength as the half wore on and made the South Africans pay dearly for their inability to convert their earlier chances.
Australia went ahead — against the run of play — when Julie Towers slapped the ball past Grazjyna Engelbrecht in goal after a goal-mouth melee in the 28th minute.
That advantage was doubled when Suzie Faulkner deflected a penalty corner strike high into the South African net seconds before the half-time whistle.
It was a cruel blow for South Africa who had worked tirelessly throughout the opening 35 minutes, but had nothing to show for it.
The second half was more evenly contested but again it was South Africa who had the better chances. With a little less than 20 minutes remaining, Lindsey Carlisle’s shot hit the post and fell tantalisingly to Kerry Bee, but her shot went agonisingly wide after a stick-in by Australia.
A goal at that stage would have changed the complexion of the encounter and may have given South Africa the boost it needed to push for at least a draw.
In the end, it was a case of near misses for South Africa and desperate scrambling from Australia that proved the difference on the day.
Their third goal was a perfect illustration of that. South Africa had chances to clear their line but Australia kept fighting and in the end the ball popped free for Peta Gallagher to touch home 12 minutes from time and seal the win.
Both South Africa and Australia were desperate for victory following first-round defeats to The Netherlands and Germany respectively.
With this second defeat, South Africa’s medal chances have all but evaporated; they cannot afford to drop any more points in pool play, but even if they win every match from here on, it may not be enough. — Sapa