Belgian Women draw test against Investec South Africa 2-2: Game Analysis
Regardless of losing the first game in the hands of talented South Africa, the Women’s hockey team of Belgium cranked up their performance and managed a draw in the second fixture of the three-match series being contested at the Royal Beerschot Hockey Centre
in Belgian city of Antwerp.
It was a best show from Belgian women who were flying high as they came onto the field. Though the South African women have an edge over the home side, they failed to demonstrate a dominating game and levelled the match from the low-profile Belgium team.
Both South Africa and Belgium received plenty of opportunities in the first thirty-five minutes of the match. In the early minutes, Kathleen Taylor accomplished a couple of back-to-back attacks but to no avail. Marsha Marescia – the skipper of the Investec
South Africa slammed a powerful shot at the goal, but it was blocked by Nadine Khouzam – the Belgian goalie who was quite vigorous throughout the seventy minutes of play.
Though the surface was rough, both squads tested the defence lines of each other in the opening minutes. The defending women were active from the two sides and denied the attacks.
In the later stage, Morgane Vouche took the ball away, marked a reverse shot at the goal and scored the first goal of the day. It was the score that created pressure for South Africans particularly their attackers.
South African side started some furious play and created a short corner in the very next minute. Though Sulette Damons missed the opportunity, it was Nicolene Terblanche who volleyed a brilliant shot into the goal and had it all even at 1-1 before going
into the second half.
Terblanche was brilliant enough at the right flank while Kim Hubach, Tarryn Bright and Lenise Marais displayed outstanding games at the mid-field position and changed the direction of the ball on many occasions.
In the second period, Belgium started an aggressive type of play and carried out some positive attacks against the African side. In the early minutes, Vouche received a pass from Charlotte Vos and tapped it at the backboard to regain the lead for Belgium.
South Africa made counter-offences in hunt for the equaliser. They succeeded in their efforts with 13 minutes remaining on the clock. Dirkie Chamberlain took the ball into the defensive circle of Belgium and hit a powerful shot at the backboard. The Belgian
keeper did not find any chance to stop the ball.
The score remained same in the later time and match concluded at 2-2 draw. They will play their last fixture on Monday to make the series decisive.
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