Netherlands whitewash Investec South Africa by 3-0: Women Hockey Recap
Despite showing improved performance, the women’s hockey team of South Africa lost the second Test to Netherlands by 3-0 played in Amsterdam, on June 15, 2011. It was another splendid show from defending Olympic Champions, who did not allow the opponents to touch the score-board throughout the two periods.
The game started on a very high tone, as both the teams wanted to score the first goal. However, the fast and furious play served well to South Africa which earned their first short-corner in the very third minute of the game. But the shot played from Pietie Coetzee was denied from the other side. In the opening play, the South African strikers were at their best and carried out back-to-back attacks against the Dutch team. However, many of the hits went wide or got blocked from the either side.
In the half-way of the first half, Dirkie Chamberlain deflected a pass from Lisa Deetlefs that was gloved away from the Dutch custodian. In a rebound effort, the shot played from Chamberlain blocked by the side-bars.
With eight minutes into the first half, Claire Verhage managed to take the ball inside the circle and unleashed a powerful shot at the goal for Netherlands at 1-0.
In the second half action, the host side started free style game in order to ruin the defence line of South African squad. Though the South African line-up earned a short corner at the second half, they failed to convert it into a successful goal.
In the later time, Kim Lammers notched another goal and doubled the tally with eleven minutes remaining into the game. In the 67th minute, the home-team earned a short-corner, which was converted by Maartje Paumen. As the time completed, the Dutch side won the game by three unanswered goals, 3-0.
However, it was much improved performance from South Africa which lost to Netherlands by six goals in the first Test of the series. These matches are being played in preparations ahead of the Champions Challenge that is scheduled to be contested from June 18 to June 26, 2011 in Dublin.
It is vital to mention here that Tarryn Bright earned 150th cap of the international career and displayed outstanding performance at the midfield position. Giles Bonnet, the head coach of the South Africa side, keeping in view the upcoming fixtures, decided to drop some of the senior players in order to give them rest ahead of the Champions Challenge.
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