South Africa edges past Japan in the FIH Champions Challenge I by 3-2
South Africa had a tough time in the FIH Champions Challenge I but with the start of the knockout stage, the line-up showed what it is truly capable of, as it edged past Japan by 3-2, in the quarter-final match of the tournament.
The cliff-hanging showdown was played on Thursday, December 01, at the Randburg Hockey Stadium, in the South African city of Johannesburg.
By winning the game, South Africa kept its hopes alive for securing a berth in the final match of the tournament.
The two teams made a good start, exchanging a few attacks in the early part of the game. However, the host team dominated the ball under its sticks, testing the Japanese defence-line on many occasions.
The visitors failed to impress South Africa in the early part of the game. South Africa was strong, not only in its attacks but also in the penalty corner execution.
Justin Reid-Ross was the man who put South Africa ahead of Japan in the first half of play with a couple of penalty conversions.
He scored the first goal of the day in the ninth minute. In the 26th minute mark, he came into action once again, unleashing a backhander that abruptly struck the backboard.
The African team earned three short corners while conceded four in the first thirty-five minutes’ action.
However, the Japanese attackers failed to capitalise on the short corners and were trailing behind by two goals, 2-0, at halftime.
In the second half of play, the duo started playing aggressively, as South Africa wanted to maintain its lead while Japan was in search of an equaliser.
In the 42nd minute of play, Yuta Fukushiro carried out an outstanding strike to open the Japanese score-account, but to no avail. Brendon Botes, the African goalie made a dive to clear the ball from the danger-zone.
In a matter of three minutes, Reid-Ross whacked another penalty shot, putting South Africa ahead of Japan by 3-0.
The Japanese attackers charged up in the waning minutes of the game but failed to combat the hosts. Katsuyoshi Nagasawa and Naoto Shiokawa scored one goal each in the 54th and 57th minutes, respectively for Japan, drawing the score
close to South Africa.
However, the home-team upheld its dominance in the later period, winning the match by 3-2. South Africa will face India in the semi-final stage of the Champions Challenge I.
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