South African Women trounce Belgium in first test of three-match series: 4-1
In quite a one-sided show, the Women’s hockey squad from Belgium failed to display an impressive performance and lost the first test of the three-match series by three goals, 4-1 held at the Royal Beerschot Hockey Centre in Antwerp, Belgium on July 23, 2011.
It was a best show from Investec South African team, which contested the match without the services of World’s highest goal scorer Pietie Coetzee, Lisa Deetlefs and Lesle-Ann George. Coetzee was busy with studious matters while the remaining two surviving
with injuries. They were missing players worth 500 international caps.
The visiting team started the game in strong form and some of their players including Shelley Russell, Sulette Damons and the skipper Marsha Marescia made lengthy runs across the field in order to build up pressure on the other team. On the other side, the
home team was contesting the event confidently, as they had won the Champions Challenge II held in Vienna. As compared to Belgium, the South African women secured the disappointing fifth position in the Champions Challenge I held in Dublin a few weeks ago.
The South African side was one of the favourites in the Champions Challenge I and topped in the group fixtures; however, they failed to continue their best form in the remaining tournament.
Both South Africa and Belgium started the game quite radiantly, but it was the former one which drew the first blood in the 26th minute of the match. Despite the bumpy turf, the African strikers were flying at high tempo. Chamberlain and her team-mate
Kelly Madsen missed the chances but Russell picked the ball and volleyed a reverse-shot into the Belgian goal. Nadine Khouzam – the custodian from the Belgium did not have chance to stop the ball.
After the break, the South African team started action at a fast pace and earned a short corner. Tarryn Bright was the player who converted the penalty corner and made it 2-0. In a very short span of time, Damons managed to take the ball, slammed a low-flying
shot from the very close range and increased the tally up to 3-0.
At the defence line of South Africa, Kim Hubach, Jade Mayne and Kathleen Taylor were all playing an impressive game. With the help of passing game, they created chances and earned penalty corners. Dirkie Chamberlain received a short from Lenise Marais in
a rebound effort of penalty corner and chipped it into the goal to make it four-nil.
Stephanie de Groof of Belgium converted a controversial penalty stroke in the concluding minutes of the match and reduced the lead down to three goals. The visitors rode away the field with a convincing 4-1 win.
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