WCC: South African women confident despite lack of exposure
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| South Africa |
July 3, 2005
Independent Online, South Africa
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By Andrew Hollely
The Spar South African women's hockey team jetted out of the country on Sunday to take part in the second-tier Champions Challenge tournament in the United States full of confidence.
That conviction though was tempered by the lack of top class hockey played by members of the squad since the beginning of the year that could ultimately cost the team a realistic chance of upsetting the big guns.
Teams participating include South Africa, America, Spain, Japan, New Zealand and England.
'We want to give ourselves a chance for a medal'
The last international competition the team played in was a series against Argentina in April, which they lost, while the rest of the teams participating are in the middle of a full international season.
With their first game against the host nation on Friday, July 8, the squad has little time to adjust for the arduous week-long tournament.
At stake for the eventual winners is a place in the Champions Trophy tournament that involves the top six teams in the world and more international exposure for SA's best players.
South Africa are ranked the lowest of the six teams taking part and have lost a number of experienced players since last years Olympic Games.
Despite the attrition, team captain, Lindsey Carlisle is positive the team can acquit itself well.
"We want to give ourselves a chance for a medal. We want to do the best we can," Carlisle said before departure.
Carlisle lamented the paucity of international matches in the build-up. "We had a great camp, but everyone else has been playing in the last while, but we haven't been so lucky."
England, arguably favourites to win in Virginia Beach, have just come off a tough KT Cup competition in Korea, which they won, beating Korea in the final and world No 4 ranked China en route.
"England are in superb form, but Japan are likely to be one of the teams to beat too," added Carlisle.
Following the match against the States, SA face Spain and wins in those two matches will set up mouth-watering clashes later in the series.
"The first match is crucial," said coach Jenny King. "Everything is geared towards the first match. Any team there is capable of beating anyone else on their day."
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