Sports / Local
Zimbabwe Hockey teams continue to disappoint
07 Sep 2011 at 07:22hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Women's Hockey Team put up a dismal show yesterday at Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo when they lost 2-0 to Kenya. From the onset, Zimbabwe didn't appear to be settled and it even worsened as the game further progressed to the last second.
A bundle of problems surely coexist in the team.
The biggest disappointment for Zimbabwe was never their defensive errors but their inability to be urgent on the ball. Mutembwa Mutsawashe put up a disappointing display, proving to be too slow upfront, lacking urgency and convincing drilling skills. Her other team mates exhibited inaccuracy and thus gave away a lot of balls to their determined opponents.
In their next match, a lot of work needs to be done on the defence, more so with the game becoming faster due to the self-pass rule which the Kenyans utilized well.
Fans continually hoped for a miracle that never happened till the last three minutes of the game. Alike in their first match, Zimbabwe woke up late but the fans' unjustified optimism had a crash landing as Zimbabwe failed to convert from a series of penalty corners as the Kenyan defense jealously safe guarded their lead.
Their defeat today means their quest for qualification to one of the biggest sporting showcase; the 2012 London Olympics has received a massive blow.
When they play their next game tomorrow Zimbabwe should aim to settle down fast and utilize well their home advantage and fans packed in the stands in their support; but only a good display will ensure continued support.
On the hand their male counterparts also suffered another defeat in the hands of the Kenyans, yesterday, who beat them by 4-0. Their chances of making it to the prestigious 2012 London Olympics is uncertain after Egypt thrashed them by 5-0 in their opening match and South Africa humilatated them by 10-0 as well. Their remaining matches will against Morroco and Ghana. The Zimbabwean team is yet to score a single goal which will be a consolation to the nation.
A bundle of problems surely coexist in the team.
The biggest disappointment for Zimbabwe was never their defensive errors but their inability to be urgent on the ball. Mutembwa Mutsawashe put up a disappointing display, proving to be too slow upfront, lacking urgency and convincing drilling skills. Her other team mates exhibited inaccuracy and thus gave away a lot of balls to their determined opponents.
In their next match, a lot of work needs to be done on the defence, more so with the game becoming faster due to the self-pass rule which the Kenyans utilized well.
Fans continually hoped for a miracle that never happened till the last three minutes of the game. Alike in their first match, Zimbabwe woke up late but the fans' unjustified optimism had a crash landing as Zimbabwe failed to convert from a series of penalty corners as the Kenyan defense jealously safe guarded their lead.
Their defeat today means their quest for qualification to one of the biggest sporting showcase; the 2012 London Olympics has received a massive blow.
When they play their next game tomorrow Zimbabwe should aim to settle down fast and utilize well their home advantage and fans packed in the stands in their support; but only a good display will ensure continued support.
On the hand their male counterparts also suffered another defeat in the hands of the Kenyans, yesterday, who beat them by 4-0. Their chances of making it to the prestigious 2012 London Olympics is uncertain after Egypt thrashed them by 5-0 in their opening match and South Africa humilatated them by 10-0 as well. Their remaining matches will against Morroco and Ghana. The Zimbabwean team is yet to score a single goal which will be a consolation to the nation.
Source - Lwandle Malinga
