Argentina draws first blood in 5 match hockey series Vs SA
The opening game of the five match hockey derby between SA and Argentina kicked off at Riverside Sports with great excitement on December 11, 2013. Argentina defeated South Africa 4-2 in a nailbiting clash. Ranked 12 and 11 in the world respectively, the teams played in true world-class style to the delight of cheering crowds estimated at almost 2 000 people at the artificial turf at Riverside Sports.
The home team put on an impressive display with the teams being evenly matched for most of the first half. The Argentinians, who recently finished third in the prestigious World Hockey League, were clinical in their first entry into the SA circle, which resulted in a penalty corner and goal by Argentina’s Pedro Ibarra five minutes into the first half. Despite several convincing attempts by SA to counter attack, the Argentinians dominated play to further secure their lead with eight minutes left on the clock. A well-worked field goal was scored by Argentina’s Facundo Callioni in the first half’s final moments bringing the score to 2–0 to Argentina.
Argentina continued to apply pressure on SA in the second half slicing through the field within two minutes of the restart to score a brilliant field goal bringing the score to 3 – 0. Firing on all cylinders from the wake-up call, the SA team scored two goals in just four minutes. Goals came from Craig Haley and Riverside Hockey Club’s very own Taine Paton. Ten minutes into the second half with the score at 3 – 2 to the visitors, the tension was palpable as both teams battled it out on the pitch for the next twenty-five minutes amid gasps and applause from the crowd.
Argentina’s experience trumped the SA team’s valiant efforts with the South American side clinching victory in the 65th minute. A misdirected hit by South Africa outside their own circle resulted in a crushing counter attack by the Argentinians with Juan Martin Lopez finishing off the slick passing with an almighty thud in the back of SA’s goalbox. However, the SA team never gave up keeping the crowds enthralled right up until the final whistle. Argentina claimed first blood in the five match series with the 4 – 2 win.
Proud of his players, SA coach Charlie Perreira summed up their performance saying, “At 2 – 0 down it’s hard to come back against a good side like Argentina. Our current SA team is quite inexperienced compared to the visiting side who have eight or nine players with over 100 caps. Even so our team played really well which is encouraging. It’s going to be a tough series for us and there are a couple of things we can tweak but I’m happy with the way the guys kept fighting tonight.”
SA Captain, Rhett Halkett, added, “We created good opportunities but gave them two easy goals. We need to make it extremely hard for teams to score against us at this level. We look forward to the next match and to improve on today’s performance. As South Africans we don’t lie down without a fight. We’re here to win and to do it at home. That’s our goal.”
Four of Riverside Hockey Club’s 1st team men’s players were part of the SA squad, including Wade and Taine Paton, Tim Drummond and Gowan Jones. “As a Riverside member I was extremely proud of how the club prepared and organised this event and it was great to see a lot of Durbanites out supporting the team. Hopefully we can put in a better performance for the next game.”, Tim Drummond exclaimed.
Argentinian captain, Lucas Rey, commented on the match saying, “It was a good way to start the series for us and South Africa are tough opponents. We look forward to the next game and hope to improve even further on our performance.”
Riverside Hockey Club’s Chairman, Wayne Philips, thanked Riverside Sports and Riverside Hockey Club for hosting and arranging a world-class match, “It was a very proud moment for all involved to host such a scintillating hockey game in Durban North that kept the local crowds on the edge of their seats. We wish the team all the best in the remaining four matches. We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout on the opening night and we were proud of the spirited peformance by the SA team especially our Riverside members.”
The international clash was preceded by a junior open day where players between eight and 13 years old participated in fun mini games building up to the main match. Following the game, the crowd was kept entertained by a skills and goal scoring display by select SA and Argentina players with other players interacting and signing autographs for the young, local spectators.
The additional four matches will be played at the following venues around KZN:
Thursday, 12th Dec 2013 @ 3:30pm (Kearsney)
Saturday, 14th Dec 2013 @ 3pm (Queensmead)
Monday, 16th Dec 2013 @ 3pm (Queensmead)
Tuesday, 17th Dec 2013 @ 6:30pm (Pietermaritzburg)
For more information about the five match series against Argentina, you can visit Riverside Hockey Club at: www.riversidehockey.co.za
Any additional information required about the Riverside Hockey Club and the other talented players who are achieving great things at the local KZN club, can be obtained by contacting Riverside Hockey Club at: senior@riversidehockeyclub.co.za. Alternatively follow the goings on at Riverside Hockey Club by liking their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RiversideHockeyClub) and following them on twitter (@RiversideHockey).
Photo’s by: Tarryn Coreejees