The Spar South African Indoor Women’s Team drew 4-all with Thailand in their first-ever meeting, to share points in their opening fixture at the FIH Indoor World Cup 2025, in Poreč, Croatia, on Monday, 3 February, 2025.
Having seen the other Pool B game between Poland and Austria end in a draw, the winner would top the pool in the early stages.
Thailand made an immediate impact opening the scoring after 40 seconds, capitalising on a defensive error from the South Africans as Tongkham fired home. To their credit the African champions fought back immediately and Malikah Hamza forced a fine save as the ladies in green searched to regain parity.
Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
The South Africans were then awarded a penalty corner which Malikah Hamza converted to level the score line at 1-1.
After defending a promising Thailand attack South Africa broke quickly and a lovely team move between Cailynn den Bakker and Laylaa Davids set up the former to give the Africans a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
South Africa had a golden opportunity to make it 3-1 but Hamza saw her chance snuffed out. They were given another went a poor challenge from the keeper saw a Penalty stroke awarded and Tegan Fourie made no mistake.
Sarah Paget made a good save when called upon as South Africa narrowly missed a fourth by Davids. Thailand pulled a second back just before the half time break from a penalty corner to make it 3-2 at the half time break.
Early in the second half South Africa gave away a penalty stroke. Sarah Paget guessed the right way but Todkaew’s finish was too strong and parity was restored. 3-3. South Africa had an immediate penalty corner but Kayla de Waal saw her shot charged down.
The quality of chances being created weren’t of the highest quality and the game was getting scrappy as the third quarter neared its conclusion.
South Africa regained the lead when Malikah Hamza saw her penalty corner flick just do enough to get through the keeper. With 10 minutes remaining South Africa led 4-3.
Early in the final quarter South Africa gave away a second penalty stroke and like the first time, Paget went the right way but, it was converted to make it 4-4.
With 150 seconds on the clock SA won a penalty corner and a golden chance to re-establish the lead, but the chance was not converted. Kayla de Waal used a pocket of space superbly but struck the upright as the Africans desperately searched for a winner, but were unable to find it, and it ended 4-all, sharing the points.
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 – 1:30pm: South Africa vs Austria
Thursday, 6 February – 10:50am: South Africa vs 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: South Africa played well in their inaugural indoor match against Thailand, tying their first fixture 4-all with two Pool B matches remaining at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia from 3 – 9 February, 2025. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 2 Caption: Malikah Hamza sunk two goals in action for South Africa against Thailand, with Cailynn den Bakker and Tegan Fourie also on the scoreboard on Monday. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 3 Caption: Cailynn den Bakker shoots past the Thailand keeper to score from open play during the teams’ first encounter at the Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 4 Caption: Thailand captain Tikhamporn Sakulpithak (left) and South African captain Jamie Southgate (right) smile with umpires Michelle Meister (GER) and Ana Ortega (ESP) at the toss. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
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