South Africa produced the performance they needed in front of a sold-out HartleyvaleStadium, defeating the USA 4-0 to keep their FIH Hockey Nations Cup semi-final hopes firmly alive.
Picture: Ayakha Mthalane Player of South Africa celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s second goal WORLDSPORTPICS / Christiaan Kotze
It was the first meeting between the two nations in six years, and with South Africa needing a win to stay in the hunt, the home crowd created a brilliant atmosphere for a crucial Pool clash.
The match was also a special milestone for Andrew Hobson, who earned his 50th international cap for South Africa. The hosts were, however, dealt a blow before the game with confirmation that Mustapha Cassiem would miss the remainder of the tournament.
South Africa started with real intent and dominated possession early on. Their pressure was rewarded in the 13th minute when Calvin Davis opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty corner finish.
Tevin Kok and Dayaan Cassiem combined superbly throughout the first half, asking regular questions of the American defence, but the USA remained resolute and kept the deficit to one at the break.
Leading 1-0 at half-time, South Africa lifted the tempo after the interval and began to take control. Ayakha Mthalane missed a good opportunity before making amends in style, scoring his first international goal after a brilliant attacking move. Nic Spooner picked out Sihle Ngubane, who in turn fed Mthalane, and the forward spun sharply before finishing superbly.
Mthalane added his second in the final quarter when a rebound fell kindly, and he drilled a low, hard finish into the backboard to double his tally and put South Africa in complete control.
Kenton Melville then added the cherry on top with South Africa’s fourth, poking home directly from a penalty corner to seal an emphatic victory.
The result moves South Africa into second place ahead of Ireland on goal difference, setting up a massive Youth Day showdown between the two sides in what is effectively a virtual quarter-final for a place in the semi-finals.
