Following a wait of more than 1 000 days for the next South African Women’s test match it was just 24 hours before the next one would be presented. South Africa were looking to bounce back and specifically show an improved first half performance as they faced off with India in the second test at UCT this afternoon.
The match was played under a blistering heat which definitely factored into the opening exchanges lacking some of the crispness that was evident on the opening night. However, there was a moment of quality in the opening quarter. Llaresiami, who was a standout performer for India in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom last year nipped in perfectly at a penalty corner and diverted the ball home for a lead for the ladies in Blue.
Once again it was second quarter heaven for India and nightmare for the hosts. In the opening test India put four unanswered goals past the South Africans in the second fifteen-minute stanza, today they increased that number to five.
Phalke Vaishnavi Vithal made it 2-0 before a quick turnover saw Rani fire home superbly to extend the lead. That the two goals were separated by just under 30 seconds will massively be frustrating for the hosts.
The onslaught continued through a penalty corner from Kumari Sangita while Katariya Vandana smashed home the 6th to take the game out of the reach of the hosts before the half-time interval.
As they had done in the first game the South Africans fought far better in the second half, challenging more regularly in the duels and suffocating the attacking threat of the Indians in much better positions on the park. The Indians however showed why they are ranked more than 10 places higher than the South Africans when Vandana made it 7th heaven and gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
The third test between the two teams takes place at 17:00 on Thursday once again at UCT. If you are in the area, get down to support the teams.
You can re-watch the test match on the Supersport Schools app here. You will need to register for an account first, after that you can watch as many times as you would like!
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