The Spar South African Indoor Hockey Women’s side completed their campaign with a win against Australia to seal their ninth-place FIH Indoor World Cup finish at the Zatika Sport Centre in Poreč, Croatia, on Saturday, 8 February, 2025
After a cagey first 10 minutes in neither side was able to score, the African champions arguably creating slightly better chances.
And it was that upper hand that saw the South African’s open the scoring, when a free-flowing counter-attacking move ended with Laylaa Davids firing in at the near post to open the scoring.
The South Africans would double the scoring from a penalty corner finished off with a strong flick from Malikah Hamza, and, on the stroke of half time the Africans made it 3-0 as a slip pass to Jess Lardant was enough to put the ladies in green and gold in control at the half time break.
In the second half a tactical switch from Australia caused the South Africans a few problems and they scored a quick double through Jamie Zimmerman and Caitlin Burns to create some nerves.
Despite the pressure of their slender one-goal lead, the South Africans managed to defend two further penalty corners in the third quarter, and another in the final quarter without their defences breached, to emerge victors in the final two matches of their world cup campaign.
The fire had gone from the game and South Africa saw out the game to confirm a ninth place finish in the FIH World Cup.
After an opening draw with Thailand and tough losses to Austria and Poland, it was a tough Group B round for the South Africans that saw them consigned to the 9-12 bracket, and the team can be proud of their two good performances to end as high as possible in the tournament.
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
SA Fixtures and Results in 9th to 12th-Place Playoffs
Friday, 7 February: South Africa 6 – 0 Croatia
Saturday, 8 February : South Africa vs Australia
Spar SA Indoor Hockey Women’s Squad for the 2025 FIH Indoor World Cup in Croatia
Laiken Brisset
Laylaa Davids
Daniella de Oliveira
Kayla de Waal
Cailynn den Bakker
Tegan Fourie
Cheree Greyvenstein
Malikah Hamza
Jessica Lardant
Edith Molikoe
Sarah Paget
Jamie Southgate
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Laylaa Davids celebrates with Laiken Brisset and skipper Jamie Southgate after scoring South Africa’s first goal from open play. South Africa narrowly beat Australia in their final Indoor Hockey Women’s World Cup tie to seal a ninth place finish in Poreč, Croatia, on Saturday, 8 February, 2025. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 2 Caption: Jessica Lardant receives her congratulations after scoring South Africa’s third on the stroke of half-time from a penalty corner. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 3 Caption: After Australia scored two PC goals the third quarter, the South Africans drew down their defences to see out a narrow 3-2 win. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
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