Spain defeat Investec South Africa women's hockey team by 1-0
Spanish women side defeated the Investec South Africa Women team by 1-0 in the second of the two Test match series in Terrassa, Spain. The match proved to be a nail-biter, but the victory came for Spain.
In the first half both of the teams played some wonderful hockey, but remained goal-less at the end. Playing without their seasoned legendary attacker, Pietie Coetzee, who required another five goals to equal the world record of most goals (220) scored by a Russian, the Investec South African Women showed fabulous effort in the field. They played a mixture of attack and defence and maintained a good pressure on the Spanish side throughout the first half. But unfortunately, despite the fact of having a number of good chances, the Investec South Africa Women side remained goal-less in the first half and same was the story with the hosts. The first half finished at 0-0.
The second half was even more fighting as both of the teams seemed pretty desperate to score their opening goal of the match. From the start of the second half, the South African captain, Marsha Marescia, was the player to watch in the second half as she came with an early chance in the starting minutes of the second half when they were awarded a penalty-corner, but a great tackle from the Spanish defenders the gifted chance failed to touch the goal-post. It was just the replay of the effort made by the Africans, when the Spanish got their very first chance, but thanks to Mariette Rix, the African goal-keeper, who made a splendid save.
The game continued with the same pace, as a number of efforts were made by both of the teams, but all their efforts went in vain.
It was not more than three minutes left in the conclusion of the game when the Spanish team was awarded two contentious penalty-corners and they succeeded in converting one of those two in the decider. The match finished at 1-0 to Spain.
In the first match the Investec South Africa Women’s side was also defeated by the Spanish women side by 3-2. The game was also very close, but the luck was with the hosts who emerged victorious at the end. Meanwhile, the Investec South Africa Women team will play their final match in Spain today, but this time not against Spanish side. In fact their rivals will be the Catalonia provincial team.
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