Other Sport
SA women target Olympic spot
2012-02-14 22:00
Cape Town - The South African women's hockey team flies to Delhi, India on Wednesday morning with one goal in mind, to win the Olympic Qualifier Tournament and in so doing book a place at the London Olympic Games.
The six teams initially play in a round-robin or league, with the top two facing off in the final next Saturday.
First up, SA tackle Poland on Saturday at 10:00 (06:30 SA time) before meeting Ukraine at 14:00 (10:30 SA time) on Sunday.
Monday is a rest day before captain
Marsha Marescia's girls face Italy at midday (8:30 SA time) on Tuesday. The following league, or round-robin, game is against South Africa's biggest rivals, India, and that key match starts at 18:00 (14:30 SA time) next Wednesday.
After Thursday's rest day, SA conclude the league phase next Friday when they meet Canada.
The top two countries will then face each other in next Saturday's final.
The message is clear, nothing less than gold will do in Delhi.
SA team:Mariette Rix, Kate Woods, Shelley Russell, Jade Mayne, Lauren Penny, Kathleen Taylor, Tarryn Bright (all WP);
Marsha Marescia (captain), Lisa Deetlefs, Bernadette Coston,
Pietie Coetzee (all Southern Gauteng); Sanani Mangisa, Dirkie Chamberlain, Nicolene Terblanche, Kim Hubach (all Northern Blues), Lesle-Ann George (Free State); Lenise Marais (KZN Coastal Raiders); Sulette Damons (North West).