South Africa

The South African men's hockey team surprised friend and foe alike with a thrilling 2-1 win over the powerful Argentina outfit to get their Olympic campaign off to a perfect start on Sunday.

It was just the result that captain Craig Jackson, celebrating his 200th cap for his country, could have hoped for and his performance was instrumental in gaining the victory.

While ace striker Greg Nicol was the hero with a brace of goals it was a superb defensive effort - with goalkeeper Dave Staniforth and Jackson prominent - that was the platform for the thoroughly deserved three points.

Jackson was hardly beaten throughout the 70 minutes and when he was, Staniforth was in a mean mood between the sticks. His diving save off a penalty corner strike late in the second stanza was world class.

'We are just delighted to be back in the Olympics'
Bruce Jacobs of Western Province was like a terrier in midfield alongside the tireless Craig Fulton.

Argentina took the lead via a stunning 10th minute reverse stick strike by Mario Almada. Almada had two defenders on him but managed to swivel and blast the ball high into the net past a stranded Staniforth in goal. It was the only time the Natal goalkeeper would play second fiddle.

The South Africans struggled somewhat in the first half, but did well to only go into the break down by that solitary goal.

The second half though was an entirely different proposition as South Africa came out firing. They earned their first penalty corner three minutes after the break and Greg Nicol profited from a deflection off an Argentine stick to pull South Africa level.

His second effort had no luck about it as Nicol smashed the ball into the corner of the goal from an acute angle just three minutes later.

Those two goals eventually were enough for the win but it was a determined defensive display that sealed the victory.

Nicol, South Africa's two-goal hero and a veteran of 194 internationals said after the game: "We are just delighted to be back in the Olympics.

"It was heart-breaking to miss out at Sydney, but that's how life goes. I am determined to make up for lost time and this is as good a game we have played in a long time." - Sapa

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