The South African men’s hockey team beat Mexico 6-0 in their final Pool B match at the FIH Men’s Series Finals in India, but the South Africans missed out on a chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers after losing their first two matches.
Only the top two teams at the eight team tournament qualify for the Olympic Qualifiers.
South Africa’s chances of clinching one of the two sport in the Olympic qualifiers, were dashed when they lost their first two pool matches against the United States and Japan. But there was still pride to play for, especially playing against the lowest ranked opposition at the series, Mexico and they scored early on in the first quarter, capitalising on a penalty corner with Taylor Dart the scorer of a well-worked out goal.
The South Africans had an opportunity to double their lead towards the end of the first quarter, but Mexican keeper, Jose Hernandez, denied Austin Smith a goal.
Nicholas Spooner did score making it 2-0 after they got a third penalty corner just a minute into the second quarter.
The Mexicans never really threatened the South Africans goals and were on the defensive for most of the match and they were made to pay for poor defending once again when Nqobile Ntuli scored a third goal in the third quarter.
Three goals in the fourth quarter by Austin Smith, Richard Pautz and Keenan Horne completed a comprehensive victory for the South Africans
