The Spar South African Indoor Hockey Women returned to winning ways with an emphatic 6-nil win against FIH Indoor World Cup hosts Croatia in the 9-12 Playoffs at the Zatika Sport Centre in Poreč, Croatia, on Friday, 6 February, 2025.
The senior South African indoor side were looking to end a frustrating tournament on a high in front of a wonderful crowd as the hosts looked to spur their team on to a first-ever victory against South Africa.
The opening ten minutes were tentative with few chances being presented as both teams looked to carry slight wounds from the group stages of the tournament. It was not surprising that the opening quarter produced no goals and it was a 0-0 score line at the first break.
The Africans were able to open the lead when Malikah Hamza was the first to react from a good piece of work by Laylaa Davids. The goal seemed to relax the South Africans who started playing some better continuation in possession.
South Africa found a second through Kayla de Waal but she was ruled to have nicked it in on a back stick. As the umpire was playing an advantage a penalty stroke was awarded.
Tegan Fourie stepped up but her shot was saved brilliantly by Tea Andričić in goals. It remained 1-0 at half time.
South Africa found their second when player of the match, Daniella de Oliveira fired home from a penalty corner. Cailynn den Bakker would profit from a melee in the middle of circle and scooped it into the back of the net.
In the final quarter Fourie was given another opportunity to score from a stroke and this time went low to hit the backboard. Kayla de Waal would get her goal scoring twice in the last two minutes when Croatia pulled their keeper.
South Africa now face off against Australia in the fight for 9th place to wrap up their 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: Kayla de Waal rushes to celebrate Cailynn Den Bakker’s goal for South Africa. The Spar South African Indoor Hockey Women recorded their first win at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, an emphatic 6-nil win over tour hosts Croatia at the Zatika Sport Centre in Poreč, Croatia, on Friday, 7 February, 2025. All Photos: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 2 Caption: Malikah Hamza looks all business as she acknowledges her team’s applause after scoring South Africa’s opening goal. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 3 Caption: SA captain Jamie Southgate calculates the best distribution to progress the team’s attack on Friday. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 4 Caption: Daniella de Oliveira prepares to shoot as Tea Andričić Croatia goalkeeper and team work to defend against the short corner. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
Photo 5 Caption: De Oliveira was one of five goal scorers for South Africa on Friday, Tegan Fourie counted among those on the scoreboard. Photo: World Sport Pics for FIH
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