The Spar South African Indoor Hockey Women took to the court playing much-fancied Poland hurting from their big defeat to Austria on Tuesday, produced a spirited performance but ultimately fell short in an enthralling battle at the Zatika Sport Centre in Poreč, Croatia, on Thursday, 6 February, 2025.
The ladies had some fantastic support from their families and the mens side in the crowd, as well as a vociferous group of school kids who had chosen the African champions as their team to support.
Poland would take the lead from a penalty corner but it was the South Africans who showed great intensity and were looking for the equaliser. It deservedly arrived. Jamie Southgate forced a high turnover and Kayla de Waal turned perfectly and fired home to level the match.
short corner. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
South Africa showed great industry but were having to do a tremendous amount of work from the penalty corners. Daniella de Oliveira twice ran down the penalty corner on the stroke of half time and the score was still level at the break.
South Africa were looking for a go ahead goal, but they conceded a penalty corner and from the resultant play the lack of clearance on the second phase saw Poland regain the lead.
They doubled that lead late in the third quarter with another penalty corner to effectively end the challenge for the Africans.
But South Africa withdrew their keeper and went full throttle in the final quarter. They would concede on the counter to make it 4-1 but pulled a goal back through Jess Lardant with a well executed finish.
Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
The South Africans will now play against Croatia in the 9-12 playoffs.
South Africa’s Pool B Fixtures at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia from 3 – 9 February, 2025
Monday, 3 February: South Africa 4 – 4 Thailand
Tuesday, 4 February: South Africa 0 – 10 Austria
Thursday, 6 February: South Africa 2 – 4 Poland
Spar SA Indoor Hockey Women’s Squad for the 2025 FIH Indoor World Cup in Croatia (Name and Caps)
Laiken Brisset 26
Laylaa Davids 8
Daniella de Oliveira 37
Kayla de Waal 50
Cailynn den Bakker 14
Tegan Fourie 71
Cheree Greyvenstein 70
Malikah Hamza 20
Jessica Lardant 66
Edith Molikoe 69
Sarah Paget 14
Jamie Southgate 95
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption`: The Spar South African Indoor Hockey Women took to the court playing much-fancied Poland knowing that they needed a massive win to secure an unlikely place in the quarter finals at the Zatika Sport Centre in Poreč, Croatia, on Thursday, 6 February, 2025. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 2 Caption: SA goalkeeper Sarah Paget and Poland attacker Monika Chmiel battle for the ball during a Poland short corner. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 3 Caption: Kayla de Waal in possession during South Africa’s improved performance during the final Group B match in Croatia. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 4 Caption: Daniella de Oliveira in action for South Africa during their final Group B match, against Poland in Croatia. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
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