Hockeyroos Draw 1-1 with Hosts South Africa

The Hockeyroos recorded a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa in the second round match at the 2013 Investec Challenge at Harteyvale Stadium in Cape Town.

Neither side was able to register a score in a tight and physical first half, that also saw a contentious yellow card issued to Hockeyroo second gamer Kirsten Johnson.

Drag flick specialist Anna Flanagan netted the Hockeyroos only goal for the match in the 51st minute to give the Australians a 1-0 lead that looked likely to give the team its first win of the tournament.

However, scores were levelled (1-1) just eight minutes later when South African striker Jade Mayne deflected a powerful cross from Shelley Russell into the net.

Both teams peppered the goals in the last 15 minutes of the match to no avail. Excellent work in goals by Mangasi and Hockeyroo Ash Wells ensured the match would end tied at 1-1.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens was satisfied with the hard fought draw.

“We enjoyed some very good passages of play and put SA under immense pressure but were unable to convert this pressure into clean goal opportunities.”

“We are lacking some composure in the attacking circle and need to improve our rebounding to ensure our second shots go in,” Commens said.

Reliable defenders and drag flick specialists Anna Flanagan and Jodie Schulz have continued their exciting form in 2013, being named in the best players in the first two matches of the tournament.

Commens was pleased with outcome of the hard fought match, where many of his players were battling a stomach bug and missing Kellie White who sat out the match.

“Kellie will be back on pitch against England on Thursday after sitting tonight’s match out after some swelling to her recovered knee,” Commens said.

The Hockeyroos will play their final round match against world number four, England on Thursday night.

“England has improved a lot since we played them in the practice match and we will need to tighten up our ball handling in the attacking 25 and look to control their counter attack well,” Commens said.

AIS-WAIS athlete Fiona Boyce is part of the Hockeyroos squad in South Africa.

– Hockey Australia