South African women’s hockey team has suffered their third successive defeat in the Olympics. They went down 2-0 to Germany after losing to Argentina and New Zealand in the earlier rounds. The Proteas were under pressure from the onset. Germany narrowly shot wide and hit the post in the first half. The Germans then scored the first goal on the stoke of half time. They sealed the match in the second half with a second goal to condemn the South Africans to their third defeat and end their Olympic hopes of a medal. World Number 1, Victoria Azarenka, has reached the Olympic semi-finals with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory against German 7th seed Angelique Kerber. Azarenka had 3 match points at 5-4, but Kerber saved them all and then broke back. Remarkably, Azarenka was able to keep her composure despite so many mistakes and finally sealed the win with 1 last break at 6-5. Azarenka will play reigning Wimbledon champion, Serena Williams, or former world number 1, Caroline Wozniacki, for a place in the final.
– By Vincent Sitsula
