The South African Women’s Hockey team settled for a 15th place finish after losing 1-0 to Chile at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup on Tuesday, 12 July 2022.
South Africa and Chile, the two lowest ranked sides in the FIH Hockey World Cup, met in the 13-16 playoff bracket. Both sides knew that a victory would secure a finish higher than their respective World Ranking coming into the tournament, so there was more than just pride to play for as they concluded their participation in this year’s tournament.
Chile and South Africa had secured third spot in their pools, but both had fallen short in the 9-16 playoffs and were looking to bounce back.
For the South Africans they were also acutely aware of the opportunity to build some momentum ahead of the Commonwealth Games, looking for it to start today.
It was Chile who started the brighter opening the bracket of the quarter with a penalty corner. The variation that was tried was over complicated. .
They got to close the bracket with a penalty corner at the end of the quarter too. This time the straight poke at Mbande was kept out easily.
In between these two moments of danger for Chile, South Africa were attempting to create nuisance and it was Kayla de Waal who looked most likely with runs through the middle. .
The end pass was lacking from the South Africans though and a fairly inactive first quarter drew to its conclusion.
The Chileans thought they would score early in the second quarter, but an instinctive reactionary save by Mbande left the South Americans stunned. South Africa found Thati Zulu open in the circle, but the touch let the fan favourite down.
South Africa were awarded two penalty corners as they started finding more space in the middle of the park. But the game was lacking the quality final touch from either side and the goalless score line was probably the fair result.
The Chileans lost their referral early in the second half when they thought there was a foot. South Africa were starting to exert domination in terms of possession but were failing to create many meaningful opportunities in game that felt more and more like the first goal would be decisive.
Lilian du Plessis had a snapshot, but it went wide and as the momentum was building the South Africans were with a yellow card for Erin Christie.
Another penalty corner was wasted before Quanita Bobbs had a quick shot that was saved well.
Chile won a penalty corner themselves, but the South Africans reviewed immediately, and it was overturned. South Africa then used the referral to win a penalty corner themselves.
The shot was saved but the South Africans were also back to 11 players having outplayed Chile for the duration of the yellow card.
Photo 1 Caption: The South African Women’s Hockey team settled for a 15th place finish after losing 1-0 to Chile at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup on Tuesday, 12 July 2022. Photo: FIH Hockey (Instagram)
With editing by gsport
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