25 June 2023
Day one of the under-18 Inter-provincial Hockey Tournament in Bloemfontein pitted familiar foes against one another as KZN Coastals A took on KZN Inland B, and KZN Coastals B tackled KZN Inland A.
Both B teams gave good accounts of themselves but, in similar fashion, the A teams won by 2-0 margins, with each scoring a late goal to escape a nervy position, where one lapse could have cost them a winning start to the tournament.
Unsurprisingly, the standout performer in the two matches was Coastals’ Leruo Ditlhakanyane (DHS), who showed exactly why he was selected for the South African under-21 team earlier this year. His ability to escape pressure in the midfield was eye-catching, and he also produced his side’s second goal with a good run and fine reverse stick finish.
For the Inland A team, Wian Liebenberg (Hilton College) managed a number of decent shots on goal as the boys in green and blue grew in stature during the course of the match and finished strongly against a game Coastals B line-up.
Coach’s comments
While KZN Inland B offered a good challenge, Coastals’ coach Michael Baker said his team was a bit slow and lethargic, “possibly after the bus trip” to Bloemfontein. He said he’s hoping to see a big improvement going forward because his side didn’t play with sufficient intensity, which meant too many opportunities were not seized.
Defensively, his side didn’t set up their structure fast enough, Baker added. “I hope energy-wise we get a lot better. We have looked good in one or two practice games, better than we looked today.”
Interestingly, ahead of a clash with the KZN Coastal B side on Monday, Baker said they had won two out of three warm-up matches against the A team, but he trusted his side to come through when it matters. An early evening game against Boland A will be a big test, he concluded.
Monday matches
On Monday, the early game, at 09:00, features KZN Inland B against Boland A. KZN Coastal A face KZN Coastal B at 10:25, followed by KZN Inland A versus Eastern Province A at 11:50.
Later in the day, at 17:30, KZN Coastal A go up against Boland A. Then, at 18:55, KZN Inland A and KZN Inland B close off the day’s programme.
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