Proteas book World Cup place

THE South African women’s hockey team dug deep and qualified for the Hockey World Cup in London July/August next year.

The team has achieved their goal of ending in the top six in the Hockey World League semi-final tournament currently on in Johannesburg.

The Proteas had their backs against the wall on more than one occasion in their tournament. Their character was tested after two early defeats – against tournament favourites, Argentina, and a demoralising loss to Chile.

In a must- win pool game against the US, the team excelled to record an emphatic 3-2 victory, with Candice Manuel bagging two great goals and earning the player-of-the-match award from her peers.

The victory was based on pure grit and commitment and showed what SA is capable of when it matters.

In the quarter-finals SA suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Germany, who will play the USA in the final tomorrow. They created enough chances to win the game but were unable to convert at least six of them. The lack of a specialist drag-flicker remains a concern for the Proteas and this area will be have to be improved.

The team’s success has been based on a solid defence, with Nicolene Terblanche, Lisa- Marie Deetlefs, Celia Evans and Nicole Walraven forming a formidable quartet. Terblanche and Deetlefs hardly ever get substituted.

Behind them, keeper Phumelela Mbande is yet to concede a goal when she has played. Her stick save in the Irish game was simply outstanding.

Illse Davids, Shelley Jones, Quanita Bobbs and Bernadette Coston have formed a creative midfield unit and have created numerous scoring opportunities. Jones and Davids have been the standouts thus far, both working tirelessly between the two 23 metre areas.

Up front Manuals heroics against the US represented the standout individual performance.

Her fellow forwards have been in scoring positions and not converted enough, though. Once this area is addressed the team will win far more games internationally.

Thursday‘s 3-0 victory against Ireland guaranteed the team a spot at next year’s World Cup. Sixteen teams will compete at the event, with 11 teams having been confirmed to date. Five continental champions will join the 11 confirmed countries.