SA hockey men off to Olympics

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 26, Justin Reid-Ross of South Africa celebrates his goal during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and Poland from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 26, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 26, Justin Reid-Ross of South Africa celebrates his goal during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and Poland from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 26, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

Published May 6, 2012

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South Africa will be represented in the men's and women's hockey tournaments at the London Olympic Games after the men's team defeated hosts Japan 2-1 in the final of the last qualifying tournament in Kakamigahara on Sunday.

The South African men went unbeaten in their six matches and held off a fighting Japanese outfit to book their ticket to London.

The women's side won an earlier qualifying tournament in Delhi, India, in February.

After going into half-time locked at 0-0 against Japan, the South African men came out firing after the break, soaking up the pressure in a thrilling second period.

The South Africans opened the scoring with a moment of individual brilliance by Thornton McDade 11 minutes into the second stanza.

McDade dribbled through the Japanese defence before rounding the goalkeeper and tapping home into an empty goal to give his side the lead.

Lloyd Norris-Jones stretched with gap 16 minutes left to play through a counter attack after Japan failed to convert a penalty corner.

Norris-Jones fired his back-handed shot at the Japanese keeper who deflected the ball before going in.

Japan hit back with a goal by Kenji Kitazato and piled the pressure on South Africa, who had struggled defensively throughout the tournament but were far better in the final.

Goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse made several crucial saves to keep South Africa in the lead, thwarting the Japanese attack as he helped his side secure the last available place for the London Games in July. – Sapa

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