The German hockey women have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Spain and the Netherlands with a difficult 1-0 (0-0) win against South Africa.
The only goal of the round of 16 in Amstelveen was scored by captain Nike Lorenz (38th minute) with the tenth penalty corner.
"It was a lot of work and we've never scored many goals against South Africa in the past, so we'll take the win as it is," said the match winner.
The fourth in the world rankings dominated the action with 52:7 circle entries and 20:1 shots on goal, but failed again and again due to the strong Phumelela Mbande in the goal of the African champions.
"We should have made more out of it," criticized Lorenz, whose team alone took 16 penalty corners against the world number 16.
left unused.
National coach Valentin Altenburg already complained in the half-time break about the chances: "I like the performance, but we have a problem with the goal."
This has to change in the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday (5:00 p.m.), because there the previously undefeated New Zealand are again waiting in Amstelveen.
As the winners of Group B, the “Black Sticks” went directly into the round of the top eight, while Germany, second in preliminary round A, had to take the detour via a knockout duel with the third party in Group D.
"We have to score more goals now, it's that simple," Lorenz demanded.
With a win, Germany would move into the Final Four in Terrassa, Spain.