The SPAR National Women’s Hockey Team take on the visiting Australian Hockeyroos in the second of three tests at the Tshwane University of Technology at 7pm this evening, and coach Jenny King is quietly confident of her team’s extending their brilliant performances.
"There’s a whole new team I saw out there, and I’m very pleased with the result we got," King told gsport on Friday. "I never go onto the hockey field playing anyone ranked above us thinking that we can’t win the game. I believe we can."
King is well aware that no South African side has ever beaten the Australians in an international test series before, "And the team are very motivated to do that," she said.
"But I think that is a by-goal of ours," continues King. "Our goal is to get out there, defend really well, hold the Australians, and then as we did in our previous game, catch them on the break and capitalise."
On Wednesday the South African hockey side played out a brilliant defensive game to deny the mighty Hockeyroos more than a sole opening goal, scored by Emily Halliday in the test’s sixth minute, before goals by Taryn Hoskins and Sharne Bailey in each half secured a remarkable 2-1 win for the home side.
"There’s a huge belief we can do it again," said King, "But we’re also very mindful that the Australians are a top side, and you don’t underestimate them at any stage.
"Our attitude will be exactly the same: We go out and defend first, and then catch them on the attacking break. I’ve made a few positional changes, particularly putting a lot more speed into our link-line, so when we do go forward, we go forward with numbers.
"Although it’s a defensive style leading into attack, there’s a specific reason: We’re playing one of the best teams in the world, and to go out and try to beat them from the beginning, you’re going to get four or five past you. We won’t change that at all," concluded King.
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