South Africa secured their first point of the FIH Hockey Women\u2019s World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Japan at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Friday morning, as Ntsopa Mokoena opened the scoring in a dramatic final quarter.<\/p>\r\n
Photo – Jan van Zyl<\/em><\/p>\r\n After a demanding opening pool featuring England, India and China, South Africa entered the 9th\u201316th classification phase looking for a response and produced a far more resilient performance against the Japanese. The game finally burst into life midway through the final quarter.<\/p>\r\n South Africa found the breakthrough in the 51st minute through Ntsopa Mokoena. The forward struck from open play to put the African champions 1-0 ahead, giving South Africa their first lead at this World Cup. Unfortunately, the advantage lasted barely a minute.<\/p>\r\n Japan responded almost immediately as Hazuki Murayama (52\u2019) found the equaliser from open play, quickly cancelling out Mokoena\u2019s strike and restoring parity at 1-1.<\/p>\r\n The rapid exchange completely changed the complexion of the closing stages. Having waited more than 50 minutes for the first goal of the contest, both teams suddenly had reason to believe a winner was available. South Africa held firm through the remaining minutes to ensure they would take something from the game, and the final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw and a first point of the tournament for the African champions. The defensive effort was considerably improved, while Mokoena\u2019s goal ensured South Africa continued their run of finding the net after also scoring against India and China.<\/p>\r\n The draw leaves South Africa on one point in Pool G, with Japan on four after the results carried into and played during the classification phase.<\/p>\r\n For South Africa, there remains an opportunity to finish the classification pool strongly when they face Chile on Sunday, 23 August at 10:00 at the Wagener Stadium. The outcome of Pool G will determine which of the 9th, 11th, 13th or 15th-place playoff matches South Africa contests later in the tournament.<\/p>\r\n
Both teams struggled to find the decisive moment through the opening three quarters, with the contest remaining goalless after 45 minutes. It was a significant defensive improvement from a South African side that had conceded 15 goals across its three Pool D encounters.<\/p>\r\n
It was a moment of enormous reward for a South African side that had continued to compete throughout a difficult tournament and, with nine minutes remaining, suddenly had a first World Cup victory firmly within sight.<\/p>\r\n
Neither could find it.<\/p>\r\n
While there may be some frustration that the lead disappeared so quickly after Mokoena had provided the breakthrough, the performance represented an important response from South Africa.<\/p>\r\n
Japan 1-1 South Africa
South Africa: Ntsopa Mokoena (51\u2019 FG)
Japan: Hazuki Murayama (52\u2019 FG)<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"