South Africa forward Sulette DAMONS scored a candidate for goal of the tournament to give her team a thrilling victory over Spain in the second match of the day here in Rosario. The win moves South Africa onto three points, and is their first win in a World Cup match since 2002.

Pietee COETZEE opened the scoring for South Africa in the 21st minute with a penalty corner goal. It was her second goal in successive matches at this World Cup, proving that her decision to come out of international retirement at the age of 31 was a good choice both for herself and her team. Spain were soon level when Nuria CAMON hit back with a penalty corner goal of her own ten minutes later, and it was no more than they deserved.

The second half was an even battle, but the decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute when Sulette DAMONS brilliantly deflected a high cross into the net with her reverse stick which gave Spain keeper Maria LOPEZ DE EGUILAZ absolutely no chance of saving. Spain protested to the video umpire regarding the high cross into the circle, but the goal was allowed to stand. Spain rallied hard towards the end, but could not force an equaliser.

The result leaves Spain without a point after the completion of their opening two games of the BDO FIH Hockey World Cup.

Match 8 – South Africa v Spain 2-1
> South Africa record their first World Cup match win since the 2002 Final 13-14 against Ukraine (3-1).
> They had gone eight World Cup matches without a win since (2 draws – 6 defeats).
> Pietie Coetzee (RSA) and Nuria Camón (ESP) scored today, like they did eight years ago in the RSA-ESP (3-1) match at the 2002 World Cup.
> Coetzee has now scored in each match for RSA at the 2010 World Cup.
> Spain and China are the only teams still without any points after 2 matchdays in Pool B.

Source: www.worldhockey.org