Germany earned their second win of the competition against a South African team that tried very hard, but could not convert the many chances they created.

Germany dominated the early stages of the match and had three penalty-corners in a row. Fanny Rinne hit the crossbar once but the other two attempts were well blocked by the South African runners. South Africa had a few counter-attacks, mostly through Marsha Marescia on the left, but could not penetrate dangerously in the German 25m.

Play became bogged down in midfield, with scarce circle action and little entertainment for the near capacity crowd. Shelley Russell and Sulette Damons combined well on the right wing to produce a golden opportunity for Jennifer Wilson arriving fast in the circle but she could not reach the crossed ball despite a spectacular dive. It was finally Marie Mävers who opened the scoring at the other end for Germany, deflecting from close range an excellent ball driven in the circle by Natascha Keller after a powerful run through the South African defenders.

With not much pace in the match, and unforced errors by both teams, the score did not evolve until half-time, reached with the lone goal for Germany.

South Africa were dangerous at the beginning of second period and Kathleen Taylor could have tied the game when she received the ball alone in front of Yvonne Frank but the German goalkeeper did well to prevent her to shoot. The Germans were on their heels, showing worrying defensive weaknesses, and Pietie Coetzee also had a good chance on goal. Germany somehow survived the storm and earned a penalty corner after a counter-attack. Fanny Rinne was able to run through the defenders and slam the ball in for the second German goal.

South Africa were however not down yet and shook dangerously the German defense a few more times with Jennifer Wilson at the conclusion of a swift counter-attack by Sulette Damons, then by Dirkie Chamberlain who stole a ball between two defenders but could not adjust a shot on target. South Africa also earned a penalty-corner, but Pietie Coetzee’s powerful flick was well handled by Yvonne Frank.

Germany managed to progressively turn the tide around and push the danger away from their circle. They controlled play in the final minutes of the match to earn in lacklustre manner their second win of the competition, leaving South Africa still pointless after three matches.

(Yan Huckendubler)

Mariette RIX (RSA)

On how South Africa played against Germany:  "You can't compare this game with our last two games. The energy, the amount of pressure we put them under, the amount of ball we won, just everything out there. I think it was a completely different team compared to our first two games."

On how they improved from their previous matches: "I think we hunted them today. We really wanted to win, but we wanted them to feel a lot of pressure from us. We wanted to have a lot more opportunities. We did a lot of soul searching in the last 24 hours and we really had to dig deep to come out with a powerful performance today. For us the result was never important today. We really wanted to play powerful hockey and we did that. We showed energy, we showed commitment, we showed fight. It was disappointing to concede two goals and not to get one on the other side, but I think we can be proud of what we did."

On whether it is frustrating to concede goals as a goalkeeper when chances are not taken in attack: "Any goalkeeper hates conceding goals, but ultimately it is a team game and everything that goes wrong, we all have to take responsibility for the mistakes we make. It is disappointing and frustrating conceding goals and not creating that many chances. Today we turned that around. Today we conceded two and we had our own chances so it is a work in progress. We are shutting it out more at the back and creating more at the front."

"We still want to get more corners, but we created more scoring opportunities today, some great saves from FRANK (GER) so we look forward to the Australia game because we need to build on what we did today."

Lesle-Ann GEORGE (RSA)

On the match:  "It was a really good game, I think we had a good performance. It was awesome. It was a pity that they scored the first goal, but the good thing was that we kept on fighting until the end."

On what areas South Africa have improved on from the last two matches:  "Our penalty corner defence was better as well as the fact we were playing hockey. That was the biggest difference. we didn't really play the game in the last two matches, today we all played, which was awesome. There was a lot of brainstorming and we also approached this match in a more relaxed manner."

On South Africa's weakness in being clinical in the circle:  "I think our biggest downfall is that we don't get it into the last 23, but we can only grow from strength to strength. We built it up nicely and it is just that last part, but it will come."

Marsha MARESCIA (RSA)

On the game:  "It feels a little disappointing at first, but I think we really came out today and created many opportunities. Luck didn't go our way. The German goalkeeper did an exceptional job. To get more penalty corners is a thing we need to work on."

On the team:  "The entire team is highly motivated. We all want to play the best we can, but if others are better, so be it."

Dirkie CHAMBERLAIN (RSA)

On this game:  "I think after the last two matches we really came out today and played our game again. We didn't give much away."

On playing at the Olympics:  "It is absolutely amazing. We all really want to have fun here and enjoy every moment."

Kate WOODS (RSA)

On the team performance:  "A far better performance from us, we knew the result would be hard to get, but we had nothing to lose at this stage. I think we raised our performance, which was our first goal."

"We put maximum pressure on them at the back and had a really high press, so we were hoping to turn the ball over early, high up the pitch, which worked. We had plenty of chances, but we're not taking them unfortunately."

On the defensive improvements:  "The first game (against Argentina) there were five short (penalty) corners, so our short corner defence was obviously seriously lacking; we must tighten up at the back, concede less 'shorties' and ultimately save more goals. Our short corner defence has got better and today we decided to press really high, so we didn't hold off them."

On the future of South Africa women's hockey:  "It's really promising. Not one person here, no matter what the results are, can question whether we deserve to be here now. We've proven through Africa (Africa Cup), and the world qualifiers, that we deserve to be here. Playing those games have really helped us; playing in high-pressure situations. I'm not sure what's going to happen come four years' time when we need to requalify, whether that's through Africa or if it's directly through world qualifying games."


Yvonne FRANK (GER)

On not conceding any goals in the match against South Africa:  "It was very important for us to win today, but also as important for me to not let any goals in. I felt good today, but I was lucky with some penalty corners that I got the ball, very lucky."

On winning today's match against South Africa after losing their last match to Australia:  "We have a new spirit and it has given us (the team) the boost we needed. Now we will be strong for our next game."

On today's performance and preparation for their next match against Argentina:  "There is much to to talk about and things we need to concentrate on. Our defence was strong today, but we need much more attack than we had today and we need more goals. That is a problem for us and something we need to concentrate on before we meet Argentina."

Fanny RINNE (GER)

On winning this game after losing the previous one:  "We're very happy, this was a very important game for us. We really had to concentrate after the last match and I think we controlled the game and had a good defence today. Yvonne FRANK (GER) was very good but it was the entire defence, not just the goalie."

Marie MAEVERS (GER)

On scoring the first goal:  "It is cool to score every time, but today it was so important and especially because it is my job in the team to score."

On playing at her first Olympics:  "The crowd, the noise, it is all so amazing. I have never played at such a big tournament before and it is incomparable to any other tournament."