Clinical Dutch sink brave SA women at indoor hockey World Cup

South Africa's dream run at the women's FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is over after they lost 6-1 to the Netherlands in their semi-final clash on Saturday. 

In front of a capacity crowd, the Dutch team were simply too good on the day, and they will now take on Austria in the final.  

South Africa, who were ranked 14th entering the tournament, will now play for third place overall against the Czech Republic.

In a week that has significantly raised the sport's profile in the country, Jess O'Connor's team will end the tournament holding their heads high.

The South African skipper was gracious enough to acknowledge the skill of the Netherlands outfit. 

"I don't think they allowed us to be clinical tonight, and they are not world No 2 for nothing," she said. 

"They showed up today, but we put up a good fight, and I'm proud of the girls. They played with a lot of heart, but at the end of the day, they were better than us, and you must take your hat off to them and be humble in defeat. 

"We wish them all the best for the final, and we'll now go out and fight for that dirty bronze.”

In the men's semi-finals, tournament favourites Austria, the No 1 ranked nation, will take on the Netherlands (ranked seventh) in a repeat of their pool match at 8 pm on Saturday.

The Austrians won that clash but know they will face a different team in the final after the Dutch quelled a courageous United States challenge 7-3.

Austria showed their class in the first semi by outplaying Iran 8-3.

Results:

Women

Semi-finals: Austria bt Czech Republic 1-0, Netherlands bt SA 6-1

9th place: United States bt Kazakhstan 5-1

11th place: New Zealand bt Namibia 4-3

3rd place, 6.30 pm: SA vs Czech Republic

Final, 9.30 pm: Austria vs Netherlands

Men

Semi-finals: Austria bt