Battling England Under-21s go down in opening game
6th December 2013
ENGLAND U21 1 (1)
David Goodfield 14 (FG)
SOUTH AFRICA U21 2 (1)
Andrew Manson 34 (FG)
Dylan Swanpoel 59 (PC)
ENGLAND Under-21 Men went down 2-1 to South Africa in a closely-fought opening match of the Hero Hockey Junior Men’s World Cup in New Delhi, India, on Friday.
A dominant display for long periods wasn’t enough for England to take the win, with South Africa proving clinical with the few chances they did have.
England had seven chances on goal in the first half, while their rivals only had one. But the scoreline was tied at 1-1 at the break.
Sheffield Hallam’s David Goodfield got England off to a great start with a 14th minute goal. An attack down the left resulted in a cross from Jonny Gall, and a deflection from Arjan Drayton-Chana was knocked home at the far post by Goodfield.
England continued to dominate the first half and had several chances to double their lead, but instead the next goal went to South Africa a minute before half time. Andrew Manson’s shot finding the net after rebounding off the keeper at a long corner.
The second half was a more even affair, but England still had good periods of possession and more chances than their rivals, but they couldn’t convert.
Another deflection, this time at the near post by captain Dylan Swanpoel at a 59th minute penalty corner, put South Africa into the lead and they held on in determined fashion.
England pushed hard for an equaliser for the final 11 minutes, and took their goalkeeper off in place of a kicking back for the last three minutes, but South Africa held firm.
“I’m frustrated more than angry,” said Head Coach Jon Bleby. “We created chances but didn’t take them which is something we have been prone to, and it has let us down at a crucial time. But we will pick ourselves up for the next match.”
That next match comes on Sunday against New Zealand. Arjan Drayton-Chana is a doubt for that match after being taken off with an ankle injury in the first half of the clash with South Africa.