SA fail to build on their promising start

JOHANNESBURG: The South African women’s hockey team came painfully close to causing a major upset at the Hockey World League semisinals at Wits yesterday when they took an early lead over Argentina before going down 3-1 .

The 13th-ranked Proteas looked shell-shocked during the opening salvos of the match but were surprisingly 1-0 up at halftime.

Soaking up the early pressure from Argentina, ranked third in the world, South Africa’s defence kept Argentina away from goal range.

The Proteas scored courtesy of a Bernie Coston goal in the 28th minute.

The home side went on the counter-attack and Candice Manuel laid on a square pass for Coston to net.

The South Americans went into the break frustrated after they could not convert the pressure they exerted in the first half.

By the end of the first 30 minutes they had made five shots at goal compared to South Africa’s two while they made 20 circle penetrations to 10 with nothing to show for their efforts.

While South Africa were growing in confidence Argentina continued to apply goalbox pressure with the Proteas defence holding firm.

The match swung in Argentina’s favour when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 41st minute with Noel Barrionuevo obliging to level the scores.

Emboldened by the goal Argentina upped the ante as they played with greater composure, leaving South Africa on the defensive for most of the rest of the match.

The Argentines showed their class and experience at the highest level adding two more goals to the scoreline courtesy of captain Delfina Merino and Florencia Habif to seal the victory.

The defeat leaves South Africa in fourth place, one point ahead of Chile, who they will face tomorrow in a crucial match to remain in contention for a quarter-finals berth.

The SA men will play Germany today at 6pm.