Ireland’s men prove too good for South Africa

THE PROTEAS men suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ireland in their opening match of the World League Hockey League Semi-Finals at the Wits Hockey Club yesterday.

The hosts had only themselves to blame as they failed to capitalise on five penalties corners, while a defensive error allowed Ireland a foothold early on in the match.

South Africa lacked composure in the first quarter, conceding a goal 10 minutes into the match.

Countering from a South African attack Ireland managed to get the ball across the face of the goal box after Neal Glassey failed to get the ball out of the circle.

The ball rebounded off Glassey with Matthew Nelson pouncing on the ball to flick it into the back of the box.

South Africa played with greater purpose in the second quarter as they managed more circle penetrations.

The home side had their first real opportunity towards the latter part of the second quarter earning the first penalty corner of the match.

Austin Smith’s penalty corner drag was well saved by David Harte, who had to defend the goal twice more before the whistle for half-time.

Receiving two penalty corners within two minutes South Africa’s goal-box pressure were looking to pay off.

Despite a bevy of shots on goal, Harte remained in control leaving the Proteas frustrated.

The hosts won two more penalty corners in the third quarter but could not find the breakthrough.

Earring their first penalty corner of the match in the 47th minute, Ireland made the best of the scoring opportunity to double their lead courtesy of Shane O’Donoghue.

South Africa were reduced to 11 players with 10 minutes to go when Matthew Guise-Brown was shown a green card.

To add insult to injury the home side’s fightback was further complicated when Dayaan Cassiem was yellow carded, leaving South African with only 10 men with three minutes remaining.

The scoreline may not reflect it, but the two sides were far more evenly poised with South Africa conceded 50 turnovers to Ireland’s 45.

In terms of circle penetrations South Africa made 25 to the 27 by the visitors while South Africa had 51 percent of the possession.