MANCHESTER, July 31: South Africa sent hosts England crashing out of the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey competition with a 1-0 win Wednesday.
Emile Smith scored the winner six minutes before half-time to lift South Africa into the semifinals where they take on defending champions Australia on Friday.
Canada face New Zealand later Wednesday to decide Pakistan’s rival in the other semifinal.
Pool champions Australia and Pakistan gained a direct entry into the semifinals, leaving the second and third-placed teams to play-off for the remaining two spots.
The South African men made up for the disappointment of their women’s team, who lost the play-off to India earlier in the day after being 3-1 up eight minutes before the final whistle.
England missed injured striker David Mathews, out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, as they fumbled repeatedly before the South African goal.
A powerful hit by Duncan Woods in the second-half rebounded off the post, but Danny Hall had himself to blame for failing to score before an empty goal in the last five minutes.
South Africa’s victory margin would have been bigger if Greg Nicol, their most successful striker, had not pushed a penalty stroke wide off the target.
Rival goal-keepers Simon Mason of England and Chris Hibbert of South Africa effected brilliant saves as both sides made quick counter-moves in a fast, entertaining match.
“We played very well and defended positively,” said South African coach Robert Pullen.
“It will be a big game against Australia. They are the champions and will be favoured to win.
“But we can match them if we improve our penalty corners and finishing before the goal.”
England, who were hoping to better their bronze medal performance at the last Commonwealth Games in Malaysia four years ago, were devastated by the defeat.
Earlier Tuesday Australia and Pakistan stayed on course for a gold medal clash final by romping through to the semifinals.
Both teams topped their respective pools with an all-win record, gaining themselves direct entry into the semifinals.
Australia, the reigning champions, braved heavy rain and cold weather to rout first-timers Barbados 20-1 with Michael McCann and Craig Victory scoring four goals each.
The hosts finished second in pool B with a 5-0 demolition of Wales, while New Zealand rode four goals by Hayden Shaw to beat South Africa 5-2 and come second in pool A.
Australia, runners-up to Germany at the World Cup in March, ran up a 9-0 scoreline by half-time against Barbados and then pumped in 11 more goals in the second session.—AFP
Australia 20 Barbados 1
South Africa 1 England 0
(Play off)