JOHANNESBURG - While the South African women’s hopes of reaching the Hockey World League Finals were dashed following a 1-0 defeat to Germany, they are still in for a shout to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The Proteas will be ruing the lost opportunities they had to, not only to force the stalemate, but to clinch a victory to reach the semi-finals.
With six penalty corners going the way of South Africa and nine shots on goal, the home side had ample opportunity to seal a victory.
South Africa lacked confidence, however, at getting the early jitters out of the way and soaking up a pressing German attack. Even so, they did well to complete the first chukka without conceding.
South African keeper Nicole la Fleur played a leading role to keep the ball out after Germany was awarded a few penalty corners.
Finding some composure the Proteas pressed hard on attack and creating a few scoring opportunities.
They had their best chance in the 25th minute when Julia Ciupka in goal managed to keep a reverse stick shot from Jayde Mayne.
With a minute left in the half, Germany broke the deadlock when Camille Nobis scored against the run of play after a period of South African dominance.
South Africa had a golden opportunity to equalise shortly after the break when they were rewarded a penalty corner but despite a two-on-one Sulette Damons could not control the ball with the keeper neutralising the threat.
In the 50th minute, Candice Manuel made another strong charge at goal when she received the ball from Ilse Davids but her flick over the keeper’s head went wide to deny her the goal.
The closing stages of the match provided for some high drama with Germany hitting the ball off the goal-box with two minutes from time.
Thanks to a referral the review showed the ball came off a German player’s body overturning the goal giving South Africa a glimmer of home.
South Africa fluffed their final penalty corner to hand Germany the victory and a chance in the semi-finals.
The hosts will be playing for the lower ranking positions between fifth and eight and need to finish among the top six teams to earn a place in the World Cup.