South Africa down Argentina 3-1 to claim bronze medal

African continental champions South Africa prevailed 3-1 over Argentina to win the bronze medal.

African continental champions South Africa prevailed 3-1 over Argentina to win the bronze medal in the Champions Challenge hockey tournament here today.

This is the highest position for South Africa in the Champions Challenge since winning the title in 2005 that took them to the elite Champions Trophy the following year.

A 68h minute goal by Lloyd Norris-Jones settle the contest for South Africa,whose citadel was under intense pressure from Pan-American champions Argentina late in the second session as they went all out seeking an equaliser.

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South Africa dominated the third-place playoff,overcoming the disappointment of a semifinal loss to India yesterday,which keeps their Olympic qualification in limbo despite winning the gold medal at the All-Africa Games.

The country’s Olympic committee,which does not feel that the African continental championship provided quality competition,had laid down the condition that South Africa should qualify for the final of the Champions Challenge or play in the Olympic Qualifier.

South Africa today opened the scoring in the 18th minute through a penalty corner strike by Justin Reid-Ross,who sounded the boards with a low flick.

Argentina,the top-ranked team in the tournament,equalised in the 22nd minute as Lucas Hernan Cammareri deflected a long-range diagonal shot.