Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa: The SPAR South African women’s team did it the hard way as they picked up their first points on the third day of the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, presented by SPAR, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Down 2-0 against the United States early in the third quarter, the home team struck through Tegan Fourie and skipper Jess O’Connor to force a draw to keep alive their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Following their memorable win over the Czech Republic on Monday night, the South African men’s team, powered by Tops at SPAR, suffered a setback when they went down 5-2 to the US.
Both teams had a short turnaround after two energy-sapping fixtures late on Monday night and they will be looking forward to some essential recovery time before their next games on Wednesday evening.
The efforts from Monday, when the South African men’s team scored their first ever win over European opposition, appeared to have an effect on Tuesday, which captains O’Connor and Jethro Eustice admitted.
The women’s team put in an incredibly brave effort to hold the powerful Netherlands outfit to a 3-1 result and O’Connor said they started “a little lethargically” on Tuesday. “We made a joke last night that our legs weren’t tired because all we did against the Netherlands was shuffle from side to side, but it did take its toll,” she said. “We are disappointed but at the end of the day I felt we showed great character to come back to 2-2. We tried to push for the win but it didn’t go our way, so coming back from 2-0 down, we’ll take that.”
O’Connor said it was essential get some good recovery time before their next match against Australia. “We know that they are going to come out firing and we need to match that, so we will go back to the video, analyse what they can do and what we can do better.”
Eustice did not blame the short turnaround because everyone “goes through that situation” but said their minds may not have been completely on point after the high of defeating the Czechs. “I was disappointed with our energy, which wasn’t quite there as it had been last night,” he said. “Still, we managed to create some chances, but their goalkeeper (Jonathan Klages) produced a man of the match performance, and we weren’t as clinical as Monday’s game.”
With a draw, a win and a loss, the men are still in contention, but Eustice acknowledged the tight competition in their pool. “There are lot of teams fighting for the top four and it will be moving day on Wednesday. But Iran will be a tough challenge so we will just have to make sure we have everything in place for that.”
South Africa started where they left off on Monday when Mustapha Cassiem slammed home a penalty stroke in the first minute.
But the Americans hit back immediately and eventually managed to ease ahead despite a second strike for South Africa by Ryan Julius.
Cassiem, who fired home five goals against the Czechs, showed he was mortal by missing a penalty stroke and the US defence, marshalled by Klages, stood firm for the rest of the match.
Ends.
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DSC05180- Tegan Fourie, centre, celebrates with SPAR South African teammate Celia Seerane after scoring her team’s first goal in their match against the United States on the third day of the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, presented by SPAR, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Tuesday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
DSC05133- SPAR South Africa captain Jess O’Connor sends a reverse stick into the net to score her team’s second goal in their match against the United States on the third day of the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, presented by SPAR, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Tuesday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
BR9T8208- South Africa’s Dayaan Cassiem goes on a run during their match against the United States on the third day of the2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, presented by SPAR, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Tuesday. The SA men’s team, powered by Tops at SPAR, lost the match 5-2.
Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
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