Scottish Hockey bosses urged fans to come to Peffermill and boost the Tartan Hearts in their final game before travelling to Belgium for the star-studded World Cup, their first appearance there since 2002, over two decades.
Well, South Africa had not read the script and proved party poopers, coming from behind twice to edge the Scots 3-2 thanks to three well-taken goals, the game-winner arguably the best of the night, even if it deflated home fans.
South Africa, No 18 in the world, upset a side four places above them in the rankings. All Scotland could muster were two goals following penalty corner awards. Nothing from open play. Frankly, they did not consistently threaten the South African goalkeeper.
Basically, they lacked punch up-front on the night and paid a heavy price. Fast forward to Saturday, August 15 when they open their World Cup campaign in Pool B against Germany (10.00).
Then they play USA on Monday, August 17 (10.00) and go in against Argentina on Wednesday, August 19 (10.00).
The South American combine are world No 2, Germany are fifth and USA, No 11. Daunting.
Play as they did at Peffermill on Monday then they will be punished. Looking back, the Scots won the first tussle against South Africa 2-0 on Sunday after dominating much of the proceedings at The University of Edinburgh Playing Fields at Peffermill.
The tourists’ coaching team obviously did their homework overnight. Certainly, Chris Duncan’s side started in the same vein as Sunday, and pressed in the early stages, but there were warning signs as South Africa counter-attacked down the flanks, with diminutive Ntsopa Mokoena, one of the smallest players on the pitch, threatening with her quick feet and darting runs.
Onthatile Zulu also looked menacing as did rising star Laiken Brisset.
Ultimately, the tourists claimed three superb from open play goals which dented home pride and sent Scotland homeward to think again.
Earlier, the home side went ahead with just over six minutes remaining of the first quarter. Olympian Charlotte Watson injected following a penalty corner award. Amy Costello, another Olympian and a Great Britain colleague, shot for goal. The ball rebounded and Watson, who had advanced into the danger area, and the Dundonian sent the ball high into the rigging. Signal celebrations from the healthy Peffermill crowd.
A mixture of sloppy play from the home side and pressing from their guests put the home side under pressure. Indeed, former Great Britain player, Jen Eadie, cleared from near her own line in the final seconds of the quarter.
Early in the second and the tourists were on level terms. South Africa countered with a drive from inside their own half and a slick offload. Mokoena did the rest, slotting from an angle on the left, a superb strike at real pace.
That jolted the Scots and, with just over six minutes left of the quarter, Brisset deflected a pass from the dangerous 21-year-old Mokoena inches over the Scotland crossbar. A signal of what was to come.
Then Zulu fired a reverse stick shot towards goal from the edge of the box but the Scots scrambled the ball clear. Another warning sign, but Scotland weathered that storm to edge ahead for a second time from another penalty corner, Eadie slamming a fierce low shot behind the South African goalkeeper for 2-1 with only 19 seconds remaining.
Once again, slack passing and sloppy play, plus lack of clinical play in the opposition D, proved costly for Scotland, who sprayed passes around the pitch in the third quarter without really threatening.
And they were made to pay with two goals inside the final seven minutes. Stephanie Botha started the move which led to the equaliser with 6min 07sec remaining. She fed Mokoena and she let fly from the top of the D.
Worse was to follow with 1min 57sec remaining of an entertaining game, even if it was frustrating for home fans. The visitors pressed and the ball fell to experienced Ongezine Mali who sparked wild celebrations after swivelling to net at the far post. Clinical finishing from a hard-working side.
Scotland captain, Sarah Robertson, tried to lift her side in the dying seconds with a cross from the right into the D, but nobody picked up and the final hooter sounded.
Real disappointment for the Tartan Hearts. Not broken, but certainly given something to think about before traveling to Belgium to meet some of the world’s heavyweights.
Incidentally, South Africa are also in the World Cup but they are in Pool D alongisde China, England and India.
PRESSURE: Charlotte Watson goes for goal in game one against South Africa at Peffermill on Sunday. Picture Nigel Duncan
