The South African national hockey team take on Olympic champions and world number 4-ranked Germany on Friday afternoon, in their second fixture in the Four Nations Setanta Sports Trophy in Dublin, Ireland.
South Africa drew their first match 0-0 against Ireland on Wednesday, and after this afternoon’s match, play Scotland on Saturday, followed by a final against likely log-leaders Germany for the title on Sunday- if they manage to top Ireland and Scotland on the leaderboard after the next two fixtures.
Germany emphatically proved their superiority over Scotland as run-away winners on Thursday, beating the world’s number 17-ranked side 8-0.
Eileen Hoffman scoring a hat-trick for the German side, Maike Stoeckel scored twice, and Fanny Rinne, captain Marion Rodewald and former Worldhockey Player of the Year Natasha Keller each left the ball in Scotland’s net.
Coming into the tournament ranked 12th in the world, SA failed to take advantage of a few good scoring opportunities against Ireland on Wednesday, with coach Jenny King disappointed with an under-par mid-field pattern of play.
On the up side, excellent defensive play prevented the side conceding a goal, and King was cautiously optimistic that this strength could allow the girls an opportunity to play out to a draw against Germany, or even to score on the rebound.
Play starts at 2pm SA time.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
