Team South Africa began their women’s Olympic journey against long-time Southern Hemisphere rivals Australia on Sunday afternoon in Paris. The South Africans knew the challenge that lay ahead, facing the world number 5, a team they had never scored against in Olympic history, despite three previous meetings.
After successfully appealing an early penalty corner, the South Africans created the best opportunity when they countered superbly and almost tapped in at the back post through Ongeziwe Mali. South Africa then produced a brilliant move from a free hit, with Celia Seerane crossing for Dirkie Chamberlain, whose goal-bound deflection was sensationally stopped by Jocelyn Bartram. The balance of play was in favour of the South Africans, and they were duly rewarded as Kristen Paton fed Kayla de Waal, who, after rounding Bartram, put it into the back of the net to give the Africans the lead. This was the first goal a South African woman had scored against Australia at the Olympics. Australia had their first chance of the quarter at the hooter, but Anelle Lloyd made the save to take SA into a 1-0 lead at the first break.
Australia must have received a rollicking at the first interval as they leveled matters just 15 seconds into the second quarter. A good run down the left saw Grace Stewart get the deflection just ahead of Anelle Lloyd to restore parity. Australia won the game’s opening penalty corner, but it was easily defended. Australia broke again with a one-on-one opportunity, but it was brilliantly saved by Lloyd with her stick to deny the Hockeyroos in a quarter where they were asking questions. Half-time in Paris ended 1-1.
The second half started with a successful referral for the South Africans, overturning a penalty corner. Thati Zulu produced a wonderful tackle to deny an Australian attack, much to the delight of the crowd, as South Africa won a penalty corner up the other end. Despite two re-awards, the South Africans were unable to make it count and very quickly found themselves defending a penalty corner. Australia made it count from the penalty corner with a deflected effort into the roof from Tatum Stewart to give Australia the lead for the first time. Thati Zulu then created her own chance with tenacity but saw it saved well at the near post, marking the last meaningful chance of the quarter, with 15 minutes remaining.
It was a cagey final quarter, with neither team wanting to make a mistake in the quest for points. Australia were not creating anything of substance, but a yellow card for the South Africans meant they would have to cope with a player short in the final exchanges. Nevertheless, the South Africans continued to press for an equalizer. Despite a tremendous effort from the team, they were unable to create the game-defining moment and, unfortunately, had to settle for an opening game defeat.
Post game thoughts from SA Captain Erin Christie:
“We are disappointed to not have earned the result. We fought hard and put in a massive performance. We put out a marker and we competed with a very good side. I am very proud of my team and we will go work on the points that we need to ahead of the next game.”
That next game is against Argentina on Monday at 17:30.
by South Africa
