SA MENS HOCKEY VS ARGENTINA FIH PRO LEAGUE

South Africa secured their first ever FIH Pro League point in a remarkable 2-2 draw with Argentina. Losing out on the full house of points by losing 2-1 in a shootout. The result is the first time the South Africans have not tasted defeat against Argentina in 11 years.

There was encouragement in their opening test against Argentina as they fought back from two early goals to almost pull level. In fact, had it not been for a remarkable save from Bosso the African champions may have got their opening point of the tournament. Today they had the opportunity to try again as the two teams completed their FIH Pro League fixture against each other in Buenos Aires.

Playing in front of a packed crowd South Africa were desperate to start better than they had in the opening game where they were two goals down early on and constantly chasing the game. They achieved this objective with a more settled start as they did not allow the same Argentinean tempo up front. The visitors were showing some good intent, but not quite finding the connections up front.

The match was heating up and a green card apiece followed shortly. South Africa had a penalty corner awarded but was correctly overturned as the infringement was just outside the circle. South Africa’s high pressure was troubling the host's defence as the opening quarter edged to a completion. An outstanding overhead found Brad Sherwood through and from a tight angle, the former U21 star dinked it over the top. Argentina then won a penalty corner with just one minute remaining before the first break. The first attempt was saved superbly by Jethro Eustice on the post before the second was chased down superbly by Le-Neal Jackson. Goalless at the end of the first quarter in a very evenly contested battle.

Argentina raised the tempo in the second quarter and were rewarded with a penalty corner that was finished into the bottom left corner paste Estiaan Kriek. Another unforced error by the South Africans gave another penalty corner to the Argentines as the hosts were starting to dominate the proceedings. This time Ferrero fired it far wide to the relief of the South Africans.

South Africa created a couple of half chances, but the next quality chance was presented to Argentina with a penalty corner after a push was spotted. It was fired well wide by Catan as Argentina failed to make their chances count. At the half-time break it was just 1 goal in it with the Argentineans 1-0 up.

The second half started with poor discipline from the hosts and received a green and yellow in the opening minutes. Bili Ntuli created a goal scoring opportunity but struck straight at the keeper. The effort being led by Ntuli was rewarded with an Ntuli goal reacting quickest after Sam Mvimbi’s shot was saved and the South Africans were level. The run by Ntuli off the ball was something that will make its way into coaching manuals for years to come.

Within seconds though the South Africans had once again conceded a good opportunity giving a penalty corner to the hosts. They were let off as poor execution saw the opportunity doused, which saw the South Africans go forward and finally win their own first penalty corner of the game. Matt Guise-Brown was not on the pitch, so the honours were awarded to Connor Beauchamp. And it was honours alright as his rocket pc was fired into the side of the net! Brad Sherwood almost made it three as he ran through brilliantly and his shot fired into the side netting.

The late afternoon sun brought out more fieriness in a game that always threatened to reach boiling point and both sides ended the third quarter with a player in the sinbin. South Africa would have another 4 minutes in the first quarter without Ntuli and would be keen to keep the ascendancy. They almost added when Brad Sherwood rushed his shot, he probably didn’t realise how much time he had on the ball. As the yellow card expired South Africa still held a one goal lead. Chad Futcher was called into action on the goal line where he showed incredible composure to save the ball and scoop out a brilliant aerial to remove the danger. Argentina was camping in the South African half and earned another penalty corner when Acosta played the ball off the foot of Beauchamp. Yet again though Argentina took the opportunity and rejected it with poor execution.

South Africa were inviting too much pressure on at the back and the 2016 Olympic Gold medallists were looking the more likely to score the game’s fourth goal, spurred on by a vociferous home crowd.

A contentious penalty corner was awarded to Argentina which Keenan Horne charged down superbly. But a re-award was given, and the chance was fired far wide. Four minutes remained for South Africa to win their first ever FIH Pro League game. The challenge was going to be even tougher though as a yellow card was shown to Guise-Brown.

Argentina was keen to take advantage of the yellow card and won themselves a penalty corner and at last they pulled level and surged forward looking for the winner. South Africa, despite finishing the game with two players less they held on for their first FIH Pro League point and a shootout to decide the winner.

In the shootout both keepers saved the first attempt well, before the second attempts both led to goals, South Africa’s through a stroke. 1-1. Ntuli then struck the woodwork after superb work before Martins missed his chance. 1-1. Chad Futcher was ruled to have blocked the keeper with his foot and Argentina scored to take the lead. 1-2. Brad Sherwood was fouled but scored, however the umpire blew before the ball crossed the line and a stroke was awarded. The stroke was missed, and the Argentines were victorious by 2-1 in the shootout.

A disappointing end for the South Africans, but a positive trip to Argentina as the team look to continue to build towards the Commonwealth Games, the Nations Cup and the FIH Hockey World Cup.