Jetting back into the swing of things

The national team opened their 2016 campaign with a 2-1 loss to Canada, in a friendly contest in Cape Town, and went on to draw 3-3 against Ireland in their first official Test of the season, last week.

Two days later, they fought back from a goal down, scoring twice in the last seven minutes to beat Spain 2-1. In their final contest of the series on Sunday, January 24, they beat Canada 2-0 in another unofficial contest.

All three teams they faced were ranked higher than the South Africans, who remain 15th on the global list.

City Times journalist Logan Green caught up with Eustice to get his thoughts on the new blood in the squad and his plans for 2016, considering that there are no major international competitions scheduled this season.

LG: What has it been like to get back into the swing of things with the national team?

JE: It has been just over two months since the team has been together. The last time was at the African Cup for Nations, and a lot has happened since then. The exclusion of the national side from the Olympic Games by Sascoc has really dampened the year for the SA men’s team, but that hasn’t stopped us from getting our chance to perform against the sides that are going to the games. It was awesome to see the guys training hard again and putting in amazing performances. The younger players definitely stepped up to the mark.

LG: The team enjoyed some terrific results in the recent matches. What are the goals going forward, considering that a number of players were fresh faces in the side?

JE: We were lucky to play a training match against Canada, and also a match against Ireland, earlier in the week, when the performances stood us in good position for the important matches. All these sides will be at the Olympic this year, so it really made the team think about how we could have competed at this year’s games in Rio. The goal of the matches was more about the younger players, who are in the national u-21 side and fighting for their places in the Junior World Cup qualifying side that takes place in March. These lads really had a good experience and gained a lot, which hopefully puts them in a good position to qualify. For the men’s team there is another series against Germany coming up, so there are some exciting times ahead for all of us in the year.

LG: Do you think the results prove that the SA men would certainly have put up a fight in Rio, or is the whole situation something that is in the past now?

JE: I definitely think so. If we take a look at the 2012 Olympics in London, the team competed really well there, missing out by a goal in two of their pool matches, which could’ve put them in a Top Eight position. Looking at the results we achieved this past week we definitely could have made it among the Top Eight teams in Rio. And, if our performances improved to more than what we achieved this week, anything could have happened, a Top Six or even a semi-final. We know our chance was taken away, so the team has moved on, towards a rebuilding phase, with a lot of younger players being included and playing against nations ranked higher than us.

LG: How do you rate your own personal performances in those matches?

JE: My performance in the Spanish game was one of my best, for sure. I really put my hand up and really wanted to prove that I want to be a part of the new phase going forward. My defensive game was excellent and it had to be, as the Spanish really were on top form. We took our chances late in the game and got the result in the end. I wasn’t given the best opportunity against Canada, but I still did my job to help grow the younger players going forward.

LG: What’s next for you this year?

JE: I have quite a big year ahead, as I am looking at staying in Durban for the majority of the year. I have a coaching role at UKZN, doing work in the women’s section, as well as at Westville High School. I am also looking at completing my BCom Honour’s degree in Information Technology. I will definitely still compete on an indoor hockey court or outdoor field this year.