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Positive start for South Africa at Indoor Hockey World Cup─── MORGAN PIEK 08:32 Tue, 04 Feb 2025

It was a positive opening day for both the men’s and women’s teams at the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Porec, Croatia, on Monday.
The women’s team and Thailand played to a thrilling 4-4 draw in Pool B, in what was the first-ever indoor hockey game between the two nations.
Thailand made an immediate impact, scoring within 40 seconds as Thanaporn Tongkham capitalised on a defensive error. The South Africans, however, responded strongly, with Malikah Hamza forcing a fine save before converting a penalty corner to level the score at 1-1.
Cailynn den Bakker. Photo: FIH
A swift counterattack involving Cailynn den Bakker and Laylaa Davids resulted in Den Bakker giving South Africa a 2-1 lead by the end of the first quarter. Tegan Fourie extended the lead to 3-1 with a penalty stroke, but Thailand pulled one back from a penalty corner just before halftime, making it 3-2.
The second half began with Thailand equalising via a penalty stroke by Jiratchaya Todkaew. South Africa regained the lead at 4-3 through Hamza’s penalty corner flick, but Thailand once again levelled the score at 4-4 with another penalty stroke early in the final quarter. Despite late chances, including a near miss from Kayla de Waal, the match ended in a hard-fought draw.
Meanwhile, the South African men’s team secured a thrilling victory against hosts Croatia in their opening match. Four goals by Mustapha Cassiem and a hat-trick by Hans Neethling led South Africa to an 8-6 victory.
Hans Neethling. Photo: FIH
Croatia started strongly, with captain Mario Mucic scoring early and Lucas Bachmann netting twice to give the hosts a 3-1 lead at the first break. However, a tactical switch from South Africa in the second quarter paid dividends. Captain Dayaan Cassiem’s drive set up his brother Mustapha Cassiem to make it 3-2 by halftime.
South Africa dominated the third quarter, with Neethling and Dayaan Cassiem both scoring to take a 5-3 lead. Although Croatia scored late goals, South Africa held firm, with Mustapha Cassiem adding to the tally to secure the victory.
On Tuesday, both the women’s and men’s teams will be in action against Austria. The women’s match is scheduled for 14:30, while the men will take to the court at 18:00 at the Zatika Sport Centre.