England suffer third defeat at World Cup
6th June 2014
SOUTH AFRICA 4 (2)
Kathleen Taylor 18 (FG)
Sulette Damons 32 (FG)
Shelley Russell 40 (FG)
Dirkie Chamberlain 52 (FG)
ENGLAND 1 (0)
Nicola White 55 (FG)
England’s 2014 Rabobank World Cup fate was sealed today as Jason Lee’s side fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa. The result means that any chances of making a semi-final and having the opportunity to play for a World Cup medal are well and truly over.
In the other Pool B matches of the day the USA thrashed China 5-0 and Argentina put three past Germany without reply to leave the USA and Argentina top of Pool B.
The run of play across the first 35 minutes followed very much the same pattern as England’s last game against China as Jason Lee’s side had the majority of possession but were unable to convert the half chances they created. South Africa on the other hand had two chances and they took them both; firstly through Kathleen Taylor on the 18th minute and then Sulette Damons just before the break to take the score to 2-0.
Another two goals from South Africa by Shelley Russell and Dirkie Chamberlain [both of whom played their club hockey in England last season for Holcombe and Reading respectively] inside 52 minutes took the score to 4-0 and left England with a mountain to climb and although Nicola White pulled one back for England in the 55th minute the match ended in bitter disappointment.
Quotes – England Head Coach, Jason Lee
On the result today: “It’s an appalling result for us. The match itself had an even number of chances for both sides, but as has been the case throughout this tournament we failed to take ours and conceded far too cheaply.
“Early on when we hit the post I thought we were in control and if that had gone in it would have been enough to take us on into the game. Then we conceded two quick goals and with the confidence in our group teetering that made it very hard for us. As the game progressed we went chasing it, which made us stretched and of course it got away from us. It’s a real challenge for us to get the most out of this tournament now in terms of pride and self-esteem.”
On the results so far: “It’d be easy to make a list of things that have brought about the results. The truth is, it’s complex, and if it wasn’t complex it would be easy to solve. We knew we came into the tournament with strengths and weaknesses and with some inexperience. I think largely the girls have performed within the range of expectations, but mostly in the bottom end of that range. That’s my responsibility, to set the tone and maintain the confidence. I’ll be asking a lot of questions of myself in terms of approach and how I can adjust to help them for the next game and the rest of the tournament.”
Quotes – England Captain, Kate Richardson-Walsh
Reflecting on the game today: “We have produced a lot of scoring chances. We’ve been winning the stats battle. If you won games on stats we’d be right in there, but of course you don’t. We need to convert those chances. If you take the chances early the confidence grows and you build momentum from there. I think because of the first two games we’ve had chances that haven’t gone in, which has eaten away at our confidence. We need to go away, as we always do, and prepare professionally and play for pride and for the shirt we wear, to prove to ourselves that we are the players we know we are. We have to start showing it on the pitch.”
The next time England face South Africa will be at the Investec London Cup on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Thursday 10th July. This will be the first tournament to be held at hockey’s legacy stadium and will be held across five days from 9th – 13th July.