Team South Africa hockey star Brad Sherwood says they are really disappointed with the draw against Great Britain after producing a top performance.
Team GB equalised with 90 seconds to go to deny South Africa a famous victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday night. The 2-2 draw was hard-fought, but the South Africans will feel they let this one slip.
Andrew Hobson tapped the ball home after a rebound from a penalty corner to give the South Africans a 1-0 lead, which they held onto until the halftime break.
Great Britain levelled the scores early in the second half. SA goal-minder Gowan Jones saved from the initial penalty corner shot before Phil Roper reacted quickest and fired the ball home.
I went to support the men’s hockey team playing yesterday, I would have loved to watch the game later but I am coming home later 👊![CDATA[]]>🏾 https://t.co/8eWR7rzmzW pic.twitter.com/WmhAlGz5Mz
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 28, 2024
Great Britain won a penalty corner in the opening minute of the final quarter, but Jones made another great save. South Africa then countered brilliantly. Sherwood received the ball and, with a brilliant touch, created space and fired it into the bottom corner to give South Africa the lead again with seven minutes remaining.
Keenan Horne fired a brilliant reverse stick shot that was heading into the top corner, but it was superbly saved by Ollie Payne in the Team GB goal.
South Africa had to defend their lines late in the match as Great Britain surged forward looking to find the leveller. Team GB won a penalty corner with two minutes on the clock, and it was re-awarded, adding to the tension, before they got the equaliser with 90 seconds still to play.
“I am obviously chuffed to be an Olympic goal scorer, but I’m really disappointed that we weren’t able to get the result,” said Sherwood.
“We put in a tremendous effort, and we frustrated them. We are South African; we will be back for the next game, of course!”
Hockey South Africa