Pietie closes in on record

South Africa caused one of the biggest upsets of the women's hockey Champions Challenge yesterday, beating world No 9 Japan 5-1 in Dublin.

The South Africans scored three goals in the last 15 minutes, extending their 2-1 half-time lead into a rout.

South African striker Pietie Coetzee netted her 218th goal in 223 Test matches, and is now just three short of breaking the world all-time record of 220, set by Natella Krasnikova of Russia 20 years ago.

Shelley Russell, Tarryn Bright, Kim Hubach and Dirkie Chamberlain were the other South Africans who got on the scoresheet.

South Africa, ranked 12th in the world, brought back captain and 2010 World All Stars midfielder Marsha Marescia, as well as the skilful Marcelle Keet, and rested No2 goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa and forward Jen Wilson, who had played in the 2-2 draw against Scotland on Saturday. Yesterday's performance was a big improvement on Saturday's, when South Africa started slowly and had to play catch-up to share the points.

In the opening minutes yesterday, Lesle-Ann George fed Russell with a pass from the left channel and the midfielder made no mistake, shooting past Japanese goalkeeper Sakiyo Asano from inside the six-metre area (1-0).

Japan hit back immediately and Shiho Otsuka was distraught when her effort hit the post and stayed out.

In the eighth minute a superb run and reverse-stick shot by South African forward Kathleen Taylor led to the first penalty corner, and Bright followed up the rebound from Coetzee's low flick to net the second goal.

But the Japanese are ruthless on the counter-attack. They came in waves and keeper Mariette Rix twice saved at point-blank range, with the dangerous Otsuka frequently involved. With 13 minutes left in the half, Mie Nakashima found the back of the net in a crowded goalmouth to vociferous protests from the South Africans, and after consultation, umpires Mariana Redo of Argentina and Austria's Melissa Trivic reversed the decision.

With six minutes to half-time, the heavily marked Coetzee could not get any purchase on a flick with just the keeper to beat, after a precision pass from fellow striker Sulette Damons. Japan raced away to earn their first penalty corner, which was a textbook variation deflected in by Nakashima running in fast from the right (2-1).

After the changeover, play flowed from strike zone to strike zone, with both goalkeepers drawn into making crucial interventions.

With 15 minutes left, the super-fit South Africans stepped into overdrive and Coetzee blazed a screamer over the crossbar before netting a goal.

Picking up a superb Nicolene Terblanche pass launched from the halfway line, Coetzee had her back to goal and a defender marking her. Undeterred, she pulled the ball right and unleashed a reverse-stick blast that left the keeper stranded (3-1).

Rix still had to pull off several saves as Japan fought for parity, but the South Africans scored again with Kim Hubach (penalty corner) and striker Dirkie Chamberlain adding two more goals.

The South Africans tackle the US in their last Pool A match tomorrow . The tournament then goes into the quarterfinal phase. - Sports staff