Holland make heavy weather of their 2-0 win over S Africa

Monchengladbach, Sep 8 (UNI) Champions Trophy winners and strong title contender Holland made heavy weather of their first victory when they scraped past a fighting South African 2-0 in the Hockey World Cup here.

Holland were desperate for their first three points after going down to Asian Games champions South Korea in their first Pool B match. The winners scored a goal in each half last night.

Taeke Taekema opened the scoring for Holland when his penalty corner flick beat the South African goalkeeper Chris Hibbert.

South Africa, playing their first match in the tournament were not overawed by the former World and Olympic champions and were on the offensive throughout the match.

The African champions came close to tying the scores thrice in the second half but the finishing was not perfect while once the Dutch were lucky that the flick went just past the post.

Holland's second goal clinched the issue for the Dutchmen but at the same time created history at the World Cup as Indian umpire Satinder Sharma referred the Geert Jan-Deerix shot to the third umpire to check whether the shot was taken from inside the striking circle or not.

The third umpire ruled in favour of the Dutch as Holland earned their first points in the tournament.

UNI HSB PM GC1101