South Africa pushed the English all the way in a pulsating Bronze Medal Match at Birmingham but the hosts sealed it with a professional second-half display to put the South African challenge to bed.
On the 4 August 2002 South Africa took on Pakistan in Manchester in the Bronze Medal Match of the Commonwealth Games. 20 years and four days later they got their second chance to take on the Bronze Medal Challenge in Birmingham. Taking on a much fancied England ranked 6th in the World, it would be an underdog performance required by the South Africans, which they are well accustomed to. They were also taking on their former coach Paul Revington who is the head coach of the English.
England started the game by holding significant amount of possession and they were dominating the territory as well without creating too many opportunities. In fact it was the South Africans who created the first big chance of the game when their counter attacking force won a penalty corner, but Dan Bell’s drag was well charged down.
England then showed a moment of quality to break into the circle and win a penalty corner of their own. As the Indians had found in the semi-final the English Gowan Jones produced a superb save to keep the score level. He was called on seconds later to make another save as England really started to really up their dominance.
In the final minute of the quarter Dayaan Cassiem created a shot from a tight angle that was easily saved, but a mazy run from the South African won South Africa their second penalty corner of the game with 25 seconds on the clock. Guise-Brown shot was saved by Ollie Payne and the rebound from Bili Ntuli was saved well too as the quarter came to an end.
England showed same enterprising running but the South Africans were up to the challenge and a bad tackle outside the circle from England gave South Africa a third go from the penalty corner. This time it was a bullet from Matt Guise-Brown to give the African Champions the lead.
Frustratingly for the South Africans they held the lead for less than 90 seconds as Reece Smith made some space in a crowded circle that found its way into the back of the goal to restore parity. But the South Africans would have none of it and forced their way back into the lead. Keenan Horne drove into the circle found Ryan Julius who passed it to Mustapha Cassiem and the hotshot fired it in brilliantly to restore the lead.
But once again England stormed back and levelled through a well taken strike by Liam Ansell. His low powerful drive was unstoppable for Gowan Jones, but the South Africans were disappointed with the amount of space they gave the English striker.
England won a penalty corner as the pulasting second quarter continued to produce efforts aplenty. This time Sam Ward was on hand to convert and give England their first lead of the game. South Africa won another penalty corner after an intentional foul on Dayaan Cassiem. Connor Beauchamp fired it narrowly over the top.
South Africa were continuing to challenge the backline of the English and were rewarded with another penalty corner. A variation for the South Africans caught the English off guard and Bili Ntuli’s deflection brought it back to 3-3 at the end of the half!
Early in the second half England received a green card and South Africa were hoping to capitalise on the extra player. They were not able to as the goal scoring spectacle of the second quarter didn’t continue in the opening half of the third quarter. Ryan Julius had a shot for the South Africans but it was well saved as England received another green card.
But England won a penalty corner with a foot in the South African circle as they had their first real opportunity of the quarter after 10 minutes. The shot from ward was well saved and he made another brilliant save from the follow up but Roper popped up on the rebound with a tremendous finish that gave England the lead again.
England were awarded another penalty corner for an off the ball incident. But it was an easy save for Gowan Jones. South Africa created a few half chances but the third quarter finished 4-3 to the hosts.
Early in the final quarter Dayaan Cassiem was offered space created a shot on goal before Keenan Horne won the penalty corner. Guise-Brown beat Payne in goal but found Rushmere on the line who made a wonderful save.
Griffiths should have made it 5-3 from a great break but Griffiths fired wide after good pressure from Gowan Jones. But it was 5-3 shortly afterwards. A goalmouth scramble managed to get through Jones and bobble into the side of the goal.
With six minutes remaining the South Africans pulled Gowan Jones off as they looked for a way back into the game. They had to defend a penalty corner from the English but they were making it tougher with the lack of discipline seeing SA play with a player short.
England were awarded a stroke in the last few minutes as a penalty corner struck Matt Guise-Brown on the line. Zach Wallace came forward and finished to all but secure the bronze medal for the hosts.
South Africa had the chance for a consolation with a late penalty corner but a mistrap saw the opportunity go and England had secured the bronze medal.
The South African men may not have won the Bronze Medal today, but over the course of the tournament they won the hearts of the hockey family again. The world has sat up to take notice of this side as they have contested with the best and held their heads up high.
Source:SA Hockey
