Namibian women’s hockey is well set for future challenges after sharing an absorbing indoor hockey test series against South Africa over the weekend.
Namibia got off to a great start winning the first two tests 3-0 and 4-3, but SA fought back to win the next two tests 2-1 each to set up a series decider in the fifth test.
Both sides delivered in a gripping final test as Azaylee Philander put Namibia ahead after a fine field goal but Tegan Fourie equalised from a short corner at the end of the first quarter.
Ottilie Hinda restored Namibia’s lead with a field goal to give Namibia a 2-1 lead at half-time, but Fourie struck back with her second short-corner goal, while another by Cerian Fourie put SA 3-2 ahead.
Namibia, however, immediately struck back when Philander scored from a short corner to put the teams level at 3-3 going into the final quarter.
Jivanka Kruger gave Namibia the lead when she slammed in a cross by Amber Dercksen, but SA once again came back, as Tegan Fourie completed her hat-trick with another short-corner goal to tie the match and the series.
Namibia coach Shayne Cormack afterwards said her side showed great character.
“I’m really proud of the girls. We started off on a high winning the first two tests, but then we had to fight hard in the last two games, so we really had to dig deep today,” she said.
“But it just showed the true character of these girls, they’ve got so much grit and I’m so proud of them. And bringing Ottilie Hinda back in the final test this evening . . . she didn’t play two of the tests . . . it’s such a promising talent there, and I’m really excited to see her playing going forward,” she said.
Cormack said poor discipline allowed SA to re-enter the series.
“We gave away too many short corners and bad tackles . . . but they also got a power play at the end. So they were six against our five and then they got their shorties and they got their outcomes.
“It’s always going to be a risk and they put their goalie back on, and we tried to come back at them. But at the end of the day, that’s what happens in indoor,” she said.
Cormack said they will now start preparing for the Nkosi Cup in Cape Town in December, when captain and top goalscorer Kiana Cormack could also come into the reckoning if she recovers from her recent brain surgery.
“I have to announce 12 players for the Nkosi Cup. We’ve got one or two players we’re still considering that are out of the country, depending on how their injuries are healing.
“We will still practise a bit in the next two weeks and then we’ll decide on our final squad for the Nkosi Cup,” she said.
South Africa coach Calvin Price over the weekend said it was a great series.
“I think a draw was a true reflection of the series. I think Namibia were up the first two games, but I thought we were exceptional for the last two,” he said.
“We have a young squad, and they’ve come out firing. I mean, it’s an incredible environment here to play in, I know the Namibians love their team, so it’s been special for us to learn and play good hockey.
“I think we’ve achieved a lot in these five test matches,” he said.
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