SA one step away from Olympic Games
NEW DELHI: South Africa are one step away from booking their place at the London Olympic Games after securing a 5-2 thumping of India in the women’s hockey qualifying tournament in New Delhi yesterday.
A superb Dirkie Chamberlain hat-trick and an impressive brace from fellow striker Sulette Damons were enough to douse the fire of a spirited India who had fought their way back to 2-2 midway through the second half after trailing 2-1 at halftime.
SA’S talismanic striker, world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee, did not play for the second match in a row.
Coetzee (232 goals in 236 Test matches) is recovering from a viral infection that condemned her to bed-rest on Monday morning.
But South Africa were undaunted by her absence as they brushed aside the challenge of India.
“This one will go in the memory bank,” said Chamberlain. “We love having Pietie with us but as strikers it is the job of all of us to score goals. We have looked at our mistakes on video from previous games, have learnt from them and are now out to get goals.”
“I have been struggling to get goals and have been trying to force it but finally today I found the breakthrough and am so happy to be on the scoresheet. We miss Pietie as she is an inspiration but when she is not there, it is up to us youngsters to stand up and be counted,” said an elated Damons.
The win means SA are on 10 points with Italy on eight
PICTURE: AP and India seven.
In the last round of league competition, India and Italy meet tomorrow (2.30pm SA time). A draw will take Italy to the final against SA, but India must win to reach the final and SA face Canada (live on SuperSport 6 from 10.30am).
“We are now one game away from qualifying for the Olympic Games and the team is in good spirits after scoring five beautiful goals,” said South Africa’s Dutch trainer Phil Estourgie.
“We haven’t thought about the Canada game yet but will look at it with the final on Saturday in mind.”
SA went ahead in the 13th minute when Kate Woods’s third penalty corner attempt was a powerful straight shot at goalkeeper Yogita Bali and striker Dirkie Chamberlain finished off the rebound.
India equalised in the 23rd minute from their third penalty, struck home by captain Asunta Lakra.
Chamberlain made it 2-1 three minutes before the interval.
SA had to endure a series of attacks early in the second half and pressure, with Soundarya Yendala eventually equalising from a penalty corner with 17 minutes remaining.
But SA went into overdrive and went ahead against through striker Sulette Damons.
The goal galvanised the SA team and five minutes later a quick, accurate Nicolene Terblanche free-hit was met with the perfect deflection high into the net by Chamberlain.
Not to be outdone, Damons netted her second goal after yet another superb assist from the hugely influential Kathleen Taylor.