South Africa’s women’s hockey team promised much after a convincing display against the Olympic champions, Germany, last week, but failed to deliver on Monday and allowed Britain to dominate second-half possession and win the match in the Spar Hockey Festival by 2-1 at the University of Stellenbosch.
South Africa was in control for most of the first half and it came as no surprise when Henna du Buisson scored in the 29th minute.
Sloppy work from a promising attack and another crucial mistake from a short corner allowed the Britons to storm back in the 35th minute, and Christa Cullen equalised right on half-time.
After the resumption, South Africa rarely strung together more than a handful of accurate passes. The passing and control were woeful and the hosts allowed the British team to dominate possession and to attack, with Sarah Thomas and Cullen running the South African defenders ragged.
To make matters worse, Lenise Marais and Tarryn Bright received their marching orders from the umpire, Lynette Nunn, in the last 20 minutes for unlawful tackling.
Cullen capped a match-winning display with the winning goal in the 66th minute.
Jenny King, the South African coach, said South Africa’s inability to keep their composure and their possession, as well as too many bad passes, contributed to the disappointing loss.
”We gave away the ball too much,” she said.
Shelley Russell, sister of Springbok wing Brent, was South Africa’s best player and showed a touch of class with her speed and attacking skills, at times making the British defenders look pedestrian.
Danny Kerry, the British coach, said his team, ranked 11th in the world, dominated play in the second half, but needed to work on their execution near goal.
He was full of praise for the sterling attacking play of Russell. ”She was electric, and is definitely one of the most exciting players I have seen in a long time.
”South Africa’s greatest strength, though, is their strength and you have to be particularly strong to keep the ball in the contact situations,” said Kerry. — Sapa