Pereira impressed by SA hockey men

Coach Charlie Pereira is pleased with the form of the SA men's hockey team ahead of their opening World League Round Two match against Brazil.

Coach Charlie Pereira is pleased with the form of the SA men's hockey team ahead of their opening World League Round Two match against Brazil.

Published Feb 26, 2013

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Johannesburg – Coach Charlie Pereira is pleased with the form of the SA men's hockey team ahead of their opening World League Round Two match against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday.

The South Africans beat Chile 3-0 in a warm-up match on Monday.

“I was impressed with our structure,” Pereira said on Tuesday.

“We are working hard at setting up a platform from which we can counter-attack, our shape was good and that's when you create lots of chances, like we did against Chile.”

With the scores level at half-time, and Chile having survived a number of shots on goal, Pereira was a touch uncomfortable.

“I had a word with the lads at half-time and said we had done the hard work but scored no goals,” he said.

“On a day like that the opposition can get one chance and win, but in the second half we did the business.”

Bouncing back in the second period, South Africa scored goals through Julian Hykes in the 40th minute, Pierre de Voux in the 51st and Clint Panther in the 58th.

Pereira said the team would take a close look at the video of Brazil's friendly against the United States ahead of their clash.

“We will spend time looking at areas we can improve on,” Pereira said.

“But I also want the lads to rest up as there are five Test matches in the next seven days and they need to stay fresh both mentally and physically.”

After taking on Brazil in the round robin of the global league, South Africa will face the US, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Chile. – Sapa

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