The South African Women’s Indoor Hockey team were crowned Tuanku Zara International Cup champions after they beat Switzerland in the final in Ipoh, Perak in Malaysia, on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
In what was a titanic tussle between the two teams, South Africa managed to come out on top. The game ended 1-1 in regulation time which saw the match go to shootout and then Sudden Death.
It was the Swiss who took the 1-0 lead thanks to a superb flick from Ruby Zimmerman from a penalty corner right on the half-time mark.
South Africa won a penalty corner in the final 30 seconds of the game, but it was superbly saved before another penalty corner was awarded, as Switzerland failed to use the gap given to them.
A shot from Cailynn den Bakker hit the foot on the line, and a stroke was awarded, but after deliberation, it was ruled that den Bakker’s shot had been hit and the game would end 1-1, and go to shootouts.
South Africa made the first save, but in the final round Malikah Hamza was unable to score, and the shootout went to Sudden Death.
Switzerland scored, but so too did Kayla de Waal. Charlize Swanepoel made an incredible save and Tegan Fourie was presented with the chance and she made no mistake, winning the title for the South Africans.
Going into the match, South Africa would have had some nerves as the only game they lost during the pool stage, was when the Swiss thumped a junior SA side 6-2, on Friday.
In the last 12 meetings between the two teams, South Africa have the upper hand, winning sevens games and drawing three.
Photo caption: The South African Women’s Indoor Hockey team were crowned Tuanku Zara International Cup champions after they beat Switzerland in the final on Saturday, 11 November 2023. Photo: Screengrab of SA Women’s Indoor Hockey on Instagram
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