Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Results sided with World rankings down in Potchestfstroom, South Africa with convincing victories for the Netherlands and India. Harmanpreet Singh buried four goals from specialty plays to lift India 10-2 over the hosts, despite a gutsy opening half where South Africa only trailed 3-1. The Dutch were also kept at bay in their match up against the recently impressive French side and it wasn’t until the third quarter that their scoring cylinders started firing. Captain Thierry Brinkman’s composure in the circle put two goals to his name in the 5-1 victory, while teammates Jorrit Croon and Joep de Mol both celebrated their 100th internationals.
Back at the Cenard in Buenos Aires, the Leonas looked even more potent today as Agustina Gorzelany found her strides at the top of the penalty corner battery with all three Argentina goals for a the 3-1 victory and a weekend sweep of Belgium. To see the current women’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here. For the men, the weekend was split as Belgium really displayed their craft to earn a 2-0 redemption win over Argentina. Penalty corner aces Alexander Hendrickx and Loïck Luypeart each converted.
South Africa v India (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA)
Four second-half goals from Harmanpreet Singh helped India put away South Africa 10-2, an identical score line to their match up on Feb. 9. Daniel Bell and Connor Beauchamp notched goals for South Africa.
It was a game of two halves in Potchefstroom when South Africa took on India for the second time. For the first 30 minutes, South Africa were hugely competitive, and it was only a less than clinical performance in front of goal – including a saved penalty stroke – that prevented them being on equal terms. South Africa drew first as the Cassiem brothers, Mustapha and Dayaan, combined for a penalty corner that Bell converted home past keeper Bahadur. Before the end of the quarter Surender Kumar tallied while Matt d’Souza was taking a rest with a green card.
A great build up in the second quarter allowed Manpreet Singh to create space for Shilanand Lakra and he scored his first goal for India to give his side a 2-1 advantage. India enjoyed a third goal on a counterattack after a broken-down South African penalty corner. Brilliant work by Dilpreet Singh sets up Mandeep Singh for India’s third. As it was, at half-time it was 3-1 and could have gone either way.
But, ahead of the game, Head Coach Graham Reid had asked for his team to 'execute' in front of goal and in the second half his players responded unequivocally. Pick of the crop was four-goal Player of the Match Harmanpreet Singh. His shots rifled in past Gowan Jones in the South Africa goal– it was a masterclass in power and precision.
To start the third quarter South Africa was awarded a penalty stroke as Dayaan Cassiem was pushed on route to goal by Jarmanpreet Singh. Jethro Eustice’s stroke was saved well by Bahadur. South Africa had more chances as they hit the bar in the 33rd minute and it was after this that India started to turn things on. Harmanpreet buried a penalty corner and Sumit tallied before the end of the third. From there, India continued with goals coming late in each of the third and fourth including three more for Harmanpreet.
France v Netherlands (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA)
The Netherlands found their scoring strides in the third quarter to win 5-1 over France. The day was also marked special for both Jorrit Croon and Joep de Mol, both celebrating their 100th international game. Icing on the cake for Croon who also notched a brilliant goal in the fourth quarter. Thierry Brinkman also tallied twice, while the younger Brinkman, Jasper, scored the opener.
A sloppy tackle from Timothée Clément in the 21st minute left France short-handed at a critical time. It paid dividends as Thierry Brinkman was there to tap in at the far post to double the Dutch lead. An errant clear by the French defence then gave the Netherlands back-to-back penalty corner opportunities but Saunier’s left glove denied both attempts.
Some clever work from Etienne Tynevez into the Dutch circle gave youngster Antonin Igau a hopping blast at goal but the ball went just wide of the net in the 30th minute. The French pair combined seconds later with a baseline run that gave Igau an open look at goal but he couldn’t finish to leave the French still trailing 2-0 at half time.
The third quarter piled on the goals, starting with the Dutch. Pieters curled and beat two French defenders and then an unmarked Thierry Brinkman calmly tapped in his second of the game. The very same Brinkman bravely saved a rocket of a drag flick off the stick of Victor Charlet in the 33rd minute. The rebound fell for Amaury Bellenger who one-timed the ball high into the net to deny a Dutch shutout.
Another moment of Dutch brilliance came on their fourth marker as Croon brought down a Tjep Hoedemakers aerial with one hand only to then dazzle with a volley on his back hand for the 4-1 Netherlands go-ahead.
Argentina v Belgium (women & men) – Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG)
At the Cenard a hat-trick from Agustina Gorzelany gave the Leonas a convincing 3-1 victory over Belgium to complete the two-game sweep. On the men’s side, it was a turn of the tides as the Red Lions put on a midfield show only to finish on two penalty corners and take the game 2-0.
Gorzelany finally tallied on a penalty corner but it needed a slight deflection from Belgium’s Louise Versavel at the post to tie the game 1-1. Belgium were not without opportunity as late in the third quarter Breyne had a back-hand shot sail just over the cross bar.
Gorzelany gave Argentina the lead on a second penalty corner ace in the 43rd minute. Her flick went low and hard, this time stick side, to reward the Leonas for their offensive efforts.
Late in the fourth quarter, Gorzelany paced another penalty corner flick stick side and to complete her hat trick and shake any apprehensions she might have had in the opening half.
FIH Pro League – 13 February 2021
Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA)
Result: Men’s Match 14
South Africa 2, India 10
Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Singh (IND)
Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)
Result: Men’s Match 16
France 1, Netherlands 5
Player of the Match: Thierry Brinkman (NED)
Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA), Aneelize Rostron (RSA-video)
Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG)
Result: Women’s Match 10
Argentina 3, Belgium 1
Player of the Match: Maria Jose Granatto (ARG)
Umpires: Irene Presenqui (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI), German Montes de Oca (ARG-video)
Result: Men’s Match 14
Argentina 0, Belgium 2
Player of the Match: Victor Wegnez (BEL)
Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), German Montes de Oca (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI)
