South Africa lose to England in FIH Pro League hockey

South Africa continued their participation in the FIH Pro League with a 4-2 loss to England at Lee Valley Hockey Stadium on Saturday. The South Africans were without a number of key players, but the opportunity arose for players to work their way into the Commonwealth Games, FIH Nations Cup or even FIFA Cup teams. world of FIH hockey over the next nine months.

For South Africa, their winless streak in the competition extended to 11 matches.

It was England who started brightest and were rewarded with a penalty corner from which Nick Bandurak scored. The second quarter saw the lead extend with two more penalty corners. Chris Griffiths and Bandurak made it 3-0

England went 4-0 through Sam Ward, playing their 150th Test. He slipped on an accurate ball from Jack Turner to deflect it home.

South Africa finally made it to the goalscoring party, and they did it twice in one minute. Matthew Guise-Brown first showed why he is one of the most revered penalty corner takers in world hockey with a superb finish. The pace on the ball meant there was nothing James Mazarelo could do to prevent it.

While Mazarelo wouldn’t have been too disappointed with Guise-Brown’s goal concession, he was reportedly frustrated with the way he allowed Keenan Horne to score. The SA captain performed a turnover and shot hard and low straight through the legs of the English shooter.

South Africa couldn’t add to the scoreline as England saw off the final minutes without much panic and the final score was read 4-2 for the hosts.

The two teams will meet on Sunday at the same place.

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