Any dream of Olympic success for the South African women’s hockey team will be now confined to improving the world ranking in the remaining games after they lost to Korea 3-0 at Elliniko Olympic Hockey Centre on Wednesday evening.
They had targeted the Korean match as an opportunity to garner some much-needed points but everything continued to go wrong for Sue Webber’s women as they lost their third successive game.
At the change of ends they were already 2-0 down, courtesy of a field goal from Ko Woon Oh in the 17th minute, followed by a penalty corner from Lee Seon Ok on the stroke of half-time.
As if the South Africans did not have enough to worry about, English umpire Jean Duncan awarded a controversial goal to Kim Yung Me from a penalty corner early in the second half.
South African coach Ros Howell lamented the fact that her ace goal scorer had once again been played out of the game.
”Pietie Coetzee’s reputation as a goal scorer has preceded her and every time she moves, she has got two girls marking her.
”We need to score more goals if we want to win. After our two losses it is tough to get back into the tournament. I am hoping it all comes together against Germany on Friday.” — Sapa
Special Report: Olympics 2004