By IANS,
New Delhi : South Africa were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in the women’s hockey Olympic qualifiers at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here Tuesday.
Italy did not waste any time to get on the score sheet, surprising South Africa with a direct shot by Alessia Doriana Padalino from their first penalty-corner. South Africa had a penalty-corner of their own shortly after, but their complicated option did not bear any fruit.
South Africa passed the ball well in midfield but could not penetrate a steady and well organised Italian defence. They earned numerous penalty-corners but, with ace-striker Pietie Coetzee not in the line-up for this game, they could not seriously threaten the Italian goal-keeper on any of them and half-time was reached with the lone Italian goal.
South Africa were again unsuccessful on yet another penalty-corner early in second period and it was finally Lauren Penny who scored in the 40th minute to tie the score at 1-1.
The top-ranked South Africans, however, did not dominate the proceedings, scrambling many penalty-corners along the way and hitting the post once. South Africa had to play the final minutes of the match one player down and Italy took advantage of the opportunity to force a penalty-corner. It was replayed three times, but to no avail and the match ended in a tame 1-1 draw.