The South African Indoor Hockey Men, powered Tops at SPAR, created history as they produced a perfect performance to defeat World number 2 Iran and secure a historic first semi-final in any FIH World Cup.
South Africa started the game with the news that Justin Domleo, their most experienced player, was out for the remainder of the tournament with an injury. The team were almost spurred on to make sure that they won the game for their man.
From the first whistle to the last the South African defensive effort was sensational marshalled by Jethro Eustice and supported tremendously by Rusten Abrahams, Keegan Hezlett and Leruo Ditlhakanyane.
South Africa opened the scoring through Mustpaha Cassiem another excellently executed penalty corner that gave Hataminejad no chance in goals. South Africa then earned a penalty stroke when Litha Kraai was pulled down in the circle. Surprisingly Cassiem was unable to hit the target despite sending the big keeper the wrong way and it remained 1-0.
The South Africans came out with renewed vigour in the second stanza and duly delivered on their goal scoring threat. Mustapha Cassiem earned his second with a slightly different execution at the penalty corner but with the same net result. Cassiem then turned provider for Dalpiarro Langford as Iran failed to cope with the South African precision.
In the second half Langford earned a second for himself and Litha Kraai made it 5-0 with what is becoming his characteristic goal on the reverse flick. There was time for Mustapha Cassiem to complete his hat-trick while the South African goalkeepers were given very little work as a clean sheet was secured and history was made.
South Africa now face Germany in the Semi-Finals knowing they have already secured their best ever finish at an FIH World Cup.
by South Africa
