ITA-W vs SA-W Dream 11 : Italy Vs South Africa Third Place Match FIH Women’s Series Final Best Dream 11 Team
Italy Vs South Africa Third Place Match FIH Women’s Series Final Best Dream 11 Team
After failing to establish themselves in their respective semi-finals, for Italy and South Africa the third place match is the only thing they have left to fight for in the closing leg of this year’s FIH Women’s Series Final. Today’s first match offers both these sides to walk away with the bronze medal from a tournament where they enjoyed a fruitful run, epitomising the immense capability both these sides pose as hockey countries.
The Italians in particular will be hungry to get off the blocks quickly come today evening and put behind them what was a horrendous semi-final. After a strong streak of winning performances in Pool B and a spectacular 4-1 thrashing of Belarus in the cross-over match, the Italians surprisingly fell apart and completely collapsed against Canada in their pivotal semi-final clash.
In what was a torrid performance by their defensive unit, Italy catapulted after their backline refused the take the accountability on themselves. They went down 7-0 to one of this tournament’s biggest surprise package as Canada continued their rapturous form to go straight into the finals and set up a clash with Spain.
South Africa elsewhere managed to make things tough for a jittery Spain side, going down by the smallest of margins. Giving their opposition a tough time throughout the encounter, the African country failed to open the scoring, ultimately falling down by just the one goal to end their sojourn for a shot at one of the two available Japan 2020 Olympic Qualifiers’ spots.
Probable Winner
Ranked right next to each other in the FIH rankings at 15 and 17 respectively, this will be an equally levelled out and finely balanced encounter. Both the teams have both it so far by being adamant in their approach towards success, encapsulating the attacking department of the game perfectly.
The last time these two met in the showpiece tournament was in a Pool B encounter with Italy going down 2-1, a result which saw them take the arduous path to the third stage match. Expect the same thrilling encounter today as well with South Africa coming out as winners on the basis of their way more stringent and tighter defence.
Goal-Keeper for ITA-W vs SA-W Dream 11
South African Phumelela Mbande has represented our side for the past two encounters whenever her side has been in play and we have decided to stick it out with her once again. After a 7-0 trashing, the Italians will be massively down and about, low on confidence and we see Mbande conceding few in the wake of that.
Defenders for ITA-W vs SA-W Dream 11
Having let in a meagre 4 goals in 4 matches, South Africa have had their defensive formation to massively thank for their consummate success in the tournament. The defender have curtailed attacks fathomed their way, proving to be cumbersome for their counterparts owing to their understated sublime grace.
And we see them making things tough for Italy as well which sees us opt for a duo in the form of Marizen Marais and Kara Lee Botes. Despite leaking 7 goals in the previous match, we see Italy showing the immense fighting spirit which has seen them enjoy a resolute tournament.
Chiara Tiddi and Eugenia Bianchi come into our side also owing to their attacking abilities. Bianchi with the three penalty corner conversions is at the heart of her side’s conversion up the field and given her repertoire of skills to down opponents with disdain, we see her getting a bagful of points for us today.
Midfielders for ITA-W vs SA-W Dream 11
Ever since a spectacular pool stage matches that see her till date emerge as her side’s highest scorer with the four goals, things have started waning for experience midfielder Maryna Vynohradova. She’s been left out of the side as her form has gone on a downward spiral, failing to be as fruitful as she was earlier.
However we see her being brought back for this one and becoming the patron of yet another rampant performance by her side. She’s accompanied by Mara Socino from Italy while South Africa will be represented by Erin Hunter by us in what us in an otherwise paper thin middle of the park for them.
Forwards for ITA-W vs SA-W Dream 11
With six goals in between them, the two apiece for Lilian du Plessis and Dirkie Chamberlain, the two woman partnership needed no deliberation when making a foray into our unit. Accorded with a slew of abilities, the two have a penchant for finding the goal, helping take South Africa to the echelons with their performances.
Lara Oviedo represents Italy to round off our Dream 11 side.
Captain And Vice-Captain
We have opted for Dirkie Chamberlain as our captain for this match while its Chiara Tiddi who gets to be the vice-captain.
Match Details
FIH Women’s Series Final
Match: Italy Vs South Africa Third Place Match
Date And Time: 27th June, Thursday- 8:15pm IST
Venue: Estadio Berate, Valencia
