Historic win galvanises the nation  – Sport

Namibia’s good 3-2 victory in opposition to Australia on the Indoor Hockey World Cup on Monday has galvanised the hockey fraternity and nation at massive, and strengthened their possibilities of reaching the knockout phases of the event. 

Namibia gave an amazing efficiency of grit and dedication, coming twice from behind to seal a historic victory. 

Australia took the lead inside a minute when Kelsey Hughes scored from a brief nook, however Namibia equalised by Tara Myburgh within the second quarter. 

Australia regained the lead by Annelyse Tevant early within the second half, however Namibia as soon as once more fought again with Myburgh scoring her second at the beginning of the ultimate quarter. 

Australia threw every thing into the assault, however Namibia defended courageously and Jivanka Kruger sealed a dramatic victory with a area aim two minutes from time. 

It was the primary time that Namibia had crushed Australia in 5 indoor worldwide encounters, following two earlier defeats and two attracts, and coach Shayne Cormack mentioned she was extraordinarily happy with her group.

“I’m so overwhelmed by their fight. All we asked them to do today was to go out, trust the outcome, trust the Lord, go out and just fight. I’m so, so proud of these girls today. They never let their guard down, they just kept fighting and fighting,” she mentioned. 

“I’m really super proud because we have now achieved the first part of our goal, but we are just going to stay humble and keep working towards the next one,” she added. 

Cormack mentioned she was not frightened when Australia took an early lead. 

“I knew the girls could come back, because they’ve come from behind many times before. That’s why I wasn’t worried when that first goal went in. I actually enjoyed it, because I love it when the girls are down – they are such comeback queens,” she mentioned. 

Cormack thanked all Namibians for his or her help. 

“I said to the girls this morning, we’ve got so many prayer-warriors behind us, it’s so overwhelming. It’s like angel armies around us, If you know the messages we have gotten and everyone supporting us,” she mentioned. 

“I can see people screaming at their TVs and in jubilation right now because we’ve just got such an incredible hockey community behind us, it’s really such a beautiful story,” she added. 

Namibia now tackle New Zealand of their second match at 12h10 (13h10 Namibian time) at present and though Namibia is greater ranked at twelfth, to New Zealand’s fifteenth on the earth, New Zealand lead their head-to-head depend with one win and one draw. 

New Zealand had been thumped 9-1 by Germany of their opening match on Monday, however Cormack mentioned they might not underestimate them. 

“We can’t take any game lightly at this tournament – we’ve just got to take every chukka (quarter) as it comes and keep on building. We’ve got to toughen up and win that ball in the 50-50’s better in our next game,” she mentioned. 

Congratulatory messages streamed in on social media, whereas Namibia’s former captain, Maggie Mengo mentioned she was thrilled with the win. 

“I’m super excited about their victory, and now that I’m retired, I’m their number one fan. I’m looking forward to the New Zealand game, I think they can win it, but we must take it one game at a time,” she mentioned. 

“It was great to have a win in our opening game, I think it has never happened at big tournaments before which is amazing,” she added. 

“Well done to the captain Gillian (Hermanus), the coaches Shayne and Trevor (Cormack), the technical management of both the men and women’s teams, and the Namibia Hockey Union, and I also want to thank the Namibian government for their tremendous support,” she mentioned.  

Namibia’s males, in the meantime, will look to bounce again from their opening 7-4 defeat to Belgium once they tackle Trinidad & Tobago at 09h30 (10h30 Namibian time). 

Not a lot separates the 2 sides on paper, with Namibia ranked 14th on the earth and Trinidad & Tobago seventeenth, whereas the West Indian nation additionally misplaced their opening match, taking place 7-2 to Australia.

Namibia, nonetheless, actually have the potential to win the match, judging by their efficiency in opposition to Belgium, in addition to their warm-up matches in opposition to Croatia and Austria.

Mengo additionally had a phrase of encouragement for the boys. 

“It was really an unfortunate outcome or the men against Belgium, but I think they have what it takes. They are very competitive and I’m super excited about their journey at this World Cup,” she mentioned.