Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup: Canada, S. Africa play 1-1 draw
Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup: Canada, S. Africa play 1-1 draw
Canada and South Africa shared two goals and points in a pool C game in the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Though both South Africa and Canada are still without a win after two games, Canada is placed a slot above its opponents because of better goal average. Canada conceded only two goals to Belgium and scored one while South Africa had lost to India 0-7 in their first games, respectively.
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Canada was lucky to wrest a point late in the second half after conceding the lead.
The stadium was nearly packed to its capacity as many had come to watch India-Belgium game.
Though the Springboks dominated the first half and forced two penalty corners but could not score. Canadians were little very and uncertain of their moves. They also had a chance but Richard Hildreth missed a golden scoring chances, three minutes from the whistle for half time.
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The third quarter witnessed some good action. It was South Africa that drew the first blood when Ntuli Nqoble scored a field goal in the 43rd minute. Two minutes later a Video Referral helped Canada to get its second penalty corner from which skipper Scott Tupper's shot at the goal got the Maple Leaf a penalty stroke. And Scott Tupper made no mistake from the award. Intriguing as it may sound when Canada got its first penalty corners, instead of making any gain, it lost its player, Garcia, for wrongful rolling.
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Going by the past record, South Africa has beaten Canada in four of the previous six games losing the remaining two. While South Africa has scored 19 goals, Canada has 13 goals to its credit. South Africa is the current African champions while Canada are number two team from Americas. The last game between the two countries was in Commonwealth Games where South Africa had won 2-0.
Man of the match: David Carter (Canada).
-PTC NEWS
