Women hockey team qualifies for Olympics

The SA women's hockey team booked their place at their fourth straight Olympic Games with a 3-1 victory over hosts India in the final of the qualifying tournament.

The SA women's hockey team booked their place at their fourth straight Olympic Games with a 3-1 victory over hosts India in the final of the qualifying tournament.

Published Feb 25, 2012

Share

The SA women's hockey team booked their place at their fourth straight Olympic Games with a 3-1 victory over hosts India in the final of the qualifying tournament in New Delhi on Saturday.

The South Africans, who went unbeaten in the qualifying tournament, led 2-0 at half-time and stretched the gap further after the break.

And while India hit back with 13 minutes left, scoring their only goal of the match, the home side's Olympic dream came crashing down, with only one spot at the London Games up for grabs.

Shelley Russell pounced on a ball that drifted across the strike zone in the third minute, beating a defender and slipping the ball past India's goalkeeper, Yogita Bali, to give South Africa the early lead.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Pietie Coetzee fired in a strike from a penalty corner, stretching her world record to 233 goals in 238 Tests.

Skipper Marsha Marescia netted South Africa's third midway through the second period, and while Jaspreet Kaur struck back for the hosts four minutes later, the SA women held for a crucial win. – Sapa

Related Topics: