Riding on the twin strikes in the second half, South Africa won the fighting Polish team narrowly 2-1 to make wining start in the first match of the Delhi Olympic Qualifier.

The winning goal came from the stick of star striker Pietie Cozete.

Earlier, veteran Kate Woods struck the first goal off a penalty corner, which survived only a couple of minutes, as the fighting Polish equalized in a swift counter attack.

Poland’s forward Natalia Wisniewska, who came close to equalize and set up many goals upfront, has been declared Player of the match and given a prize

Poland held SA valiantly int eh first half, Not many events, except Poland’s forward Natalia making two good attempts at goal

The match came alive in the last ten minutes of the first session. Dirkie Chamberlain and Pietie Coetzee combined well upfront, and sent the ball inside the circle, a shot was taken, clearance rising, South Africa gets its First Penalty Corner in the 29th minutes.

Pietie took a grounder-push, goalkeeper Marta dives on the floor and clears.

Then came the second half which witnessed all the goals of the match