Still belief after New Zealand loss
Following a 4-0 defeat by Germany, in the opening match of the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup, on Sunday, June 1, Jethro Eustice and the South African men’s national hockey team met New Zealand on Tuesday, June 3.
The “Black Sticks” were clinical against the South Africans, and the team was on the wrong side of a 5-0 defeat in their Pool B encounter, at Greenfields Stadium, in The Hague.
Commenting on the game, the former Benoni Northerns junior hockey player said: “New Zealand definitely seemed to be more up for the match, though our preparation was very good and of a good intensity.
“We seem to start slowly.”
He added that the team had a few chances in the first half, with the captain, Austin Smith, drag-flicking a ball with force against the crossbar.
“The chances we had were saved, but the chances New Zealand had went in,” he explained.
“They scored four of their goals from penalty corners, while we managed to get three penalty corners and did not convert one.”
Eustice said the team is getting better, even though the results don’t suggest it.
“We play South Korea on Friday, and they are very strong on the break, so we are going to need to have a strong base at the back and to control the pace of the game.
“I really feel that we can get a result and move forward in the tournament.”
The game against South Korea will take place at 5.30pm tomorrow (Friday).
