The SPAR South African Indoor Hockey Women took to the court playing much fancied Poland knowing that they needed a massive win to secure an unlikely place in the quarter finals. The South Africans, hurting from their big defeat, produced a spirited performance but ultimately fell short in an enthralling battle in Porec.
The ladies had some fantastic support from their families and the mens side in the crowd, as well as a vociferous group of school kids who had chosen the African champions as their team to support.
Poland would take the lead from a penalty corner but it was the South Africans who showed great intensity and were looking for the equaliser. It deservedly arrived. Jamie Southgate forced a high turnover and Kayla de Waal turned perfectly and fired home to level the match.
South Africa showed great industry but were having to do a tremendous amount of work from the penalty corners. Daniella de Oliveira twice ran down the penalty corner on the stroke of half time and the score was still level at the break.
South Africa were looking for a go ahead goal, but they conceded a penalty corner and from the resultant play the lack of clearance on the second phase saw Poland regain the lead. They doubled that lead late in the third quarter with another penalty corner to effectively end the challenge for the Africans.
But South Africa withdrew their keeper and went full throttle in the final quarter. They would concede on the counter to make it 4-1 but pulled a goal back through Jess Lardant with a well executed finish.
The South Africans will now play in the 9-12 bracket with their opposition confirmed later on Thursday.
by South Africa
