Both South Africa and Great Britain had started the 2024 Paris Games with back-to-back defeats as they met on Wednesday morning in the hope of igniting their Olympic challenge. At the Tokyo Games, Great Britain had prevailed 4-1 and here they again tasted victory, winning 2-1.
The result left Team SA at the bottom of Pool B, having played three, lost three, while both Australia and Argentina have 100% winning records.
Great Britain had the first opportunity to strike, winning a penalty corner but they failed to execute a shot on target. South Africa had the next chance, also from a penalty corner. South Africa capitalised as Quanita Bobbs’ shot was deflected in by Kayla de Waal for her third goal in the tournament. Without further convertable opportunities, the opening quarter ended with South Africa leading 1-0.
The second quarter was scrappy. Great Britain had the first opportunity to strike and won a penalty corner. Amy Costello fired in a low, hard shot that deflected off a South African stick and into the back of the net to make it 1-1, which it remained until the half-time break.
The second half saw South Africa produce a counter-attack with Ntsopa Mokoena and De Waal combining, only for the former to be denied by a ball-and-all save. Great Britain thought they had found the go-ahead goal when they beat Anelle Lloyd but they struck the upright. A penalty corner was given to Great Britain but South Africa reviewed and lost the referral. Although they didn’t make the penalty corner count, Great Britain produced a moment of quality to take the lead. An aerial ball into the circle was collected by Hannah French, who made it 2-1.
South Africa should have found themselves level when Thati Zulu effected a turnover and set it through to Celia Seerane, whose shot was inches wide of restoring parity.
Team SA were guilty of giving the ball away too easily when they were looking to counter, making the task a little easier for the 2016 gold medallists. Zulu drove hard into the circle, but her shot was over the top. Despite their best efforts, the African champions were unable to find a goal, and the game ended 2-1 in favor of Great Britain.
Edith Molikoe shared her thoughts post-game: “It was another tough game. We really put in our all. It’s a game we wanted to get a result from, so we are disappointed with the result. We are excited with the style of hockey we are playing and we hope that we can add the result in the final two games.”
Meanwhile, an eerie silence greeted the Pool A men's hockey match between Team SA and Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a weather warning had led to spectators being evacuated from the facility. This meant the two teams would have no crowd support for this game.
Both teams struggled to adapt to the unusual environment and the opening quarter ended goalless.
South Africa displayed composure, maintaining possession well through the phases. However, clear chances were scarce for both sides. A yellow card for an off-the-ball incident left South Africa temporarily disadvantaged and Spain capitalised. Marc Reyne, given space in the circle, deflected the ball past Gowan Jones, making it 1-0 to Spain.
In the second half, South Africa created two half-chances for Dayaan Cassiem, both well-defended by Spain. Team SA side eventually thought they had equalised with a counter-attacking goal, only for it to be disallowed on referral for a back stick. Adding insult to injury, Spain then scored after a missed stick check, making it 2-0.
Cassiem managed a shot in the crowded circle that went inches wide and Tevin Kok saw his shot saved, with the rebound smashed high and wide.
South Africa threatened on the counter in the fourth quarter but Spain quickly extinguished any sparks. Reyne delivered the final blow, scoring past Jones after a quick free hit, making it 3-0.
South Africa was awarded a penalty stroke but Mustapha Cassiem’s effort was saved by Luis Calzado. The match ended with Spain winning 3-0, eliminating Team SA from the Games.
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