Men’s hockey team improves against SA

WINDHOEK – The Namibian men’s indoor hockey team improved considerably during their four-test series against South Africa.

The Namibians closed the gap from a 10-1 defeat in the first test on Monday to a 3-1 defeat in the third match played in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday evening. They lost 6-1 on Tuesday in the second match, a big development according to coach Randy Slabbert.Slabbert told Nampa from South Africa yesterday that his team definitely perked up their game, and stayed true to their aim of more ball possession.”It worked in our favour and we managed to contain the Springboks well”, he said.During the second test played in Durban on Tuesday, the Namibians managed a 2-1 score at halftime.Siyabonga Martins scored Namibia’s only goal.But, a technical infringement in the 30th minute of the game saw one Namibian sent off the court.In that time, the South Africans managed two more goals and added two more to end the match 6-1 in their favour.The third match played in Pietermaritzburg was Namibia’s best performance thus far.Slabbert noted that the court was slightly wider and longer than what they are used to, and although it appeared unusual for the players at first, they used it to their advantage.They forced one goal through Russel Bartlett, and only conceded three goals to end the game 3-1.The Namibians played so well that they silenced the crowd of approximately 700 people, and received major applause after the game.Namibia’s best performance during the maiden edition of the series in 2006 was 5-2 loss to that country.”The South African’s coach and former national team players were very impressed with our play, and complimented the guys on their guts as well as their skill,” said Slabbert.Namibia was due to play their last match late yesterday.Although the Namibians are still tired from the previous three matches of non-stop running, they are still determined to close the gap, Slabbert said.NampaThey lost 6-1 on Tuesday in the second match, a big development according to coach Randy Slabbert.Slabbert told Nampa from South Africa yesterday that his team definitely perked up their game, and stayed true to their aim of more ball possession.”It worked in our favour and we managed to contain the Springboks well”, he said.During the second test played in Durban on Tuesday, the Namibians managed a 2-1 score at halftime.Siyabonga Martins scored Namibia’s only goal.But, a technical infringement in the 30th minute of the game saw one Namibian sent off the court.In that time, the South Africans managed two more goals and added two more to end the match 6-1 in their favour.The third match played in Pietermaritzburg was Namibia’s best performance thus far.Slabbert noted that the court was slightly wider and longer than what they are used to, and although it appeared unusual for the players at first, they used it to their advantage.They forced one goal through Russel Bartlett, and only conceded three goals to end the game 3-1.The Namibians played so well that they silenced the crowd of approximately 700 people, and received major applause after the game.Namibia’s best performance during the maiden edition of the series in 2006 was 5-2 loss to that country.”The South African’s coach and former national team players were very impressed with our play, and complimented the guys on their guts as well as their skill,” said Slabbert.Namibia was due to play their last match late yesterday.Although the Namibians are still tired from the previous three matches of non-stop running, they are still determined to close the gap, Slabbert said.Nampa