SA women run Hockeyroos close in thrilling opening match

Zaahier Adams

South African women’s hockey team captain Erin Christie believes her team have shown they will be competitive at the Olympic Games in Paris after their narrow 2-1 defeat by Australia yesterday.

The South Africans scored their first Olympic goal against the Aussies, courtesy of young forward Kayla de Waal.

The 24-year-old, who was making her Olympic debut, fielded a long-range pass up field and showed good composure to round Australian goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram before slotting home the game’s opening goal.

“It was a very special moment, definitely something every athlete dreams of,” De Waal said.

It was just reward for the South Africans as they dominated the first quarter.

Ongeziwe Mali had earlier just failed to direct her deflected shot into a gaping Aussie goal after a pass across the circle from the hard-working Thati Zulu.

Fellow forward Dirkie Chamberlain also forced Bartram to pull off a world-class save from close proximity as the South Africans shocked the Australians with their impressive play early on.

Australia’s coach Katrina Powell, who is a double Olympic Gold medallist from the 1996 and 2000 Games, must have delivered the hairdryer treatment at the end of the first quarter because her side came out firing after the restart.

Within the first 50 seconds of the second quarter, without a South African having a touch of the ball, the Aussies were level through Stephanie Kershaw’s goal.

The Hockeyroos put the South Africans under pressure in the circle again before half-time, but goalkeeper Anelle Lloyd was up to the task with a brilliant stick save to ensure the score remained deadlocked at 1-1 when the half-time hooter sounded.

The South Africans regained the momentum in the second half and forced three successive short corners, but were unable to make it count when it mattered.

The Aussies are ranked 13 spots higher than 18th-placed South Africa, and the Hockeyroos showed why through their clinical efficiency at a short corner a few moments later.

In truth, it was unfortunate for the South Africans because Tatum Stewart’s strike was deflected off a defender’s stick to give the Aussies the lead for the first time in the match.

South Africa tried valiantly for the remainder of the final quarter to find the equaliser with the impressive Zulu going close, but the Aussies ultimately hung on for the full three points.

“We are disappointed that we did not get the result. We fought hard for that one point, and there was one goal difference between the two sides,” Christie said. “But for the start of our Olympic campaign we wanted to make a mark and show that we are here to compete, and I think that’s what we did.

“For us, it’s all about building, so the next game we will focus on all the little areas. I am very proud of my team and the level of hockey we put out today.”

There is no let up for the South Africans as Christie’s team faces another stiff challenge today against Tokyo silver medallists Argentina at 5.30pm.

* For the men’s match between South Africa and Great Britain, played last night, visit www.iol.co.za/sport.