Onthatile Zulu admits South Africa failed to capitalise against India

The national team is currently in the Netherlands and Belgium participating in the 16th edition of the FIH Hockey World Cup, where they are alongside India, England and China in Pool D. The South Africans are fourth on the standings after their opening two defeats. 

The campaign did not start well for South Africa as they opened their campaign with a 4-0 loss to England before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat to India yesterday at Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amsterdam. 

Speaking after the match, Zulu admitted that the team was not effective in the shooting circle. 

“Ja, we’re a little disappointed with our performance. We wanted to come out guns blazing after Monday’s loss. We only have one more pool game left and we really wanted a result out of this game,” Zulu said 

“We let the game slip away from us. I think we had our chances as well, we just didn't take them. India were very effective when they were in the circle, they took their shots and scored. On the other hand, we didn’t really take our opportunities and really be effective in the D (shooting circle).”

South Africa’s only goal came late in the 55th minute from a penalty corner. Hannah Pearce’s drag flick took a deflection off the Indian first runner before falling to Kayla de Waal who finished from close range. 

Despite the result, Zulu believes the team showed individual quality during the match. 

“I think we showed it throughout the game. It was very exciting. It wasn’t only us playing in defence, as people usually think, but we had attacking opportunities, which was very positive from us. It’s really just about getting that one goal and then goals which follow, so we’re trying to build on that as a team.”

“We are a counter-attacking team, we are very fast up front and I think we need to make sure we capitalise once we get into the circle.”

The South Africans will now turn their attention to China, who they face in their final Pool D encounter on Thursday, 20 August at 09h30.