South Africa secured their first ever FIH Pro League point in a 2-2 draw with Argentina in Buenos Aires on Sunday. The result is the first time the South Africans have not lost to Argentina in 11 years.
Playing in front of a packed crowd South Africa were desperate to start better than they had in the opening game where they were two goals down early on and chasing the game. They achieved this objective with a more settled start as they did not allow the same Argentinean tempo up front.
South Africa’s high pressure was troubling the hosts defence as the opening quarter edged to a completion. An outstanding overhead found Brad Sherwood through and from a tight angle the former U21 star dinked it over the top. Argentina then won a penalty corner with one minute remaining before the first break. The first attempt was saved superbly by Jethro Eustice on the post before the second was chased down superbly by Le-Neal Jackson.
Argentina raised the tempo in the second quarter and were rewarded with a penalty corner that was finished into the bottom left corner past Estiaan Kriek. South Africa created a couple of half chances, but the next quality chance was presented to Argentina with a penalty corner after a push was spotted. It was fired well wide by Catan as Argentina failed to make their chances count. At half-time it was 1-0 to the hosts.
The second half started with poor discipline from the hosts and received a green and yellow in the opening minutes. Bili Ntuli created a goal scoring opportunity but struck straight at the keeper. The effort was rewarded with an Ntuli goal reacting quickest after Sam Mvimbi’s shot was saved and the South Africans were level.
Within seconds though the South Africans had once again conceded a good opportunity giving a penalty corner to the hosts. They were let off as poor execution saw the opportunity doused, which saw the South Africans go forward and finally win their own first penalty corner of the game. Matt Guise-Brown was not on the pitch, so Connor Beauchamp took charge and fired into the net for a 2-1 lead.
Inside ghe final quarter South Africa were inviting too much pressure on at the back and the 2016 Olympic Gold medallists were looking the more likely to score the game’s fourth goal, spurred on by a vociferous home crowd.
A contentious penalty corner was awarded to Argentina which Keenan Horne charged down superbly. But a re-award was given and the chance was fired far wide. Argentina were keen to take advantage of a Yellow card and converted a penalty corner for 2-2. South Africa, despite finishing the game with two players less they held on for their first FIH Pro League point and a shootout to decide the winner. Argentina won that 2-1.
A disappointing end for South Africa, but overall a positive trip to Argentina as the team look to continue to build towards the Commonwealth Games, the Nations Cup and the FIH Hockey World Cup.