The South African Indoor Hockey Men, powered by Tops at SPAR, secured their first medal in history as they defeated Belgium 6-5 in the Bronze Medal Match of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Porec on Sunday.
South Africa had a chance early but Mustapha Cassiemโs instinctive shot went over the crossbar. Belgium profited from the missed chance as they charged up the other end and found the back of the net from Phillipe Simar, who was given too much space at the back post. Dayaan Cassiem forced a high turnover, but his reactive shot was saved well by Henet.
Despite a few half chances the South Africans were unable to find a goal and the opening quarter ended with the Europeans leading 1-0.
Early in the second quarter Belgium were awarded a penalty corner and Phillipe Simar doubled the lead. South Africa were awarded a route back into the game with a penalty corner and Mustapha Cassiem fired it low past the foot of Henet to half the deficit to 2-1. The Africanโs were quickly awarded another and this time Cassiems shot went narrowly wide.
Cullin de Jager made a good save to stop a counter attack threat from Belgium as South Africa tried to find the equaliser. They found it when Mustapha Cassiem found the ball in the circle and turned to fire low and restore parity. Dayaan joined the party and gave South Africa a lead when he fired into the roof from a tight angle on the reverse stick. The Africans faced a late penalty corner and Cullin De Jager made the save to earn South Africa a half time lead.
Early in the second half Belgium had a penalty corner. Anton van Loggerenberg was beaten but Dayaan Cassiem was on hand to save it off the line. South Africa then won a penalty corner which saw Mustapha Cassiemโs shot strike the defender on the line for a penalty stroke. Hans Neethling was on hand to fire home and double the lead to 4-2.
Belgium pulled one back through Max Langer from a penalty corner with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Dalpiarro Langford saw his shot saved before Dayaan Cassiems deflected effort bounced off the top of the crossbar. South Africa had a late chance but it was saved and they led 4-3 with 10 minutes to play.
Mustapha Cassiem completed the hat-trick with a brilliant drag from the right in the opening minute of the final quarter when given space, 5-3. Another shot from Mustapha was saved before Hans Neethling was in the way for Dayaan Cassiem. Belgium were getting stretched and the Africans exploited it when Dayaan Cassiem fired it low past Henet to stretch the lead.
Belgium pulled their keeper off with four minutes remaining and won a penalty corner but Litha Kraai and Cullin De Jager combined to clear the lines. Gaethon Dykmans pulled back from a penalty corner to make it 6-4 with 3 and a half minutes remaining.
De Jager made a huge save with 90 seconds to keep the gap at two. Max Langer scored a sensational goal to half the deficit as South Africa were guilty of trying to force play. Jethro Eustice cleared off the line and South Africa had secured a first ever World Cup medal.
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๐๐ค๐ช๐ฉ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ! ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฝ๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฃโ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ค๐ง ๐๐ค๐ง๐ก๐ ๐พ๐ช๐ฅ. #๐๐๐๐พ2025@SA_Hockey pip Belgium to win the first medal for an @AfrHockey team at an FIH Indoor World Cup
โ International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) February 9, 2025
by South Africa
