HOCKEY: Hockey World Cup heating up

BALL SPORTS

Words: Eunice Visagie | Photos: Various photographers

Hockey World Cup heating up

WHILE SOUTH AFRICAN HOCKEY FANS HAVEN’T HAD A LOT TO CHEER ABOUT THUS FAR IN THE HOCKEY WORLD CUP, IN THE HAGUE, HOCKEY FANS HAVE BEEN TREATED TO SOME SPECTACULAR GOALS, SKILLS AND EVEN AN UPSET OR FOUR!

Sulette Ready. Photo credit: Rodrigo Jaramillo

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SOUTH AFRICA STILL HAS TO REGISTER VICTORIES AFTER TWO LOSSES FOR BOTH TEAMS, BUT THE WOMEN’S TEAM HAS SCORED TWO GOALS, WHILE THE MEN STILL HAVE TO GET ON THE SCOREBOARD. Austin Smith and his

team lost against Germany (4-0) and New Zealand (5-0).

Marsh Cox and her team also struggled when they played against defending World Champions Argentina (4-1) and Germany (3-1). Tarryn Bright scored against Argentina, while Shelley Russell got the sole goal against Germany.

One would think the less said about these matches the better and some part of that might be right, but while both teams were pretty much outplayed in the first matches, there were some good signs in the second games. Both teams are lacking on attack though and just can’t get the final move to score the goals.

For the men, the challenge is not getting any easier.

They will be up against Korea, who might have not won a match yet but controversially lost against New Zealand (1-2) and then lost narrowly against Holland (1-2). Korea is 7th on the World Rankings. Smith and his men are very frustrated. The stakes are high, but they won’t get higher than this match. Another big defeat will well and truly put the men on the back foot with difficult games (Holland and Argentina) still to come.

Next up for Cox and her team is England, who has also yet to register a victory. The third-ranked England lost against America and China. This could be SA’s big chance. England’s confidence will be low, while Cox and her team still look positive.

America, 10th on the World Rankings, has been the surprise package thus far. Beating England and drawing with Argentina were not expected. Group B of the women’s draw is still wide open. Argentina, China, Germany and America are all on one victory and one draw. England and SA are pointless. In Group A, Holland and Australia are undefeated while Belgium and Japan still have to score points. New Zealand and Korea have lost one and drawn one.

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Shelley Jana Teschke. Photo credit: Frank Uijlenbroek

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SA - 0 Ger - 4. Photo credit: Frank Uijlenbroek

The biggest upset thus far in the men’s draw was the victory for 11th ranked Argentina over the two-time Olympic Champions and 2nd ranked Germany. Australia and Belgium are undefeated in Group A, while India and Malaysia still have to score. New Zealand and Holland are the teams to beat in Group B.

Big matches will be played played today (Thursday). In the men’s draw, Australia (1st) take on Belgium (5th) and this game should be a cracker, while the numberone women’s team Holland takes on New Zealand. It could be a big test. On Friday, the matches will even be bigger. America will play China and Argentina will come up against Germany. These Group B matches can be decisive. The men from New Zealand against Argentina and Germany against Holland will end the dramatic day.

All these matches will be live on SuperSport 7.

ON FRIDAY, OUR SOUTH AFRICA LADIES WILL PLAY ENGLAND AT 14:30, AND AT 17:30 THE SOUTH AFRICA MEN TAKE ON KOREA. BOTH GAMES WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON SUPERSPORT 7. •

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