South Africa produced their finest performance of the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup so far, holding three-time champions Australia to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre on Thursday.
Photo Credit World Sport Pics / FIH
Against an Australian side that had won both of its opening Pool C matches, the African champions played with aggression, pace and enormous determination, twice finding the net through Mustapha Cassiem to secure their first point of the tournament.
South Africa could hardly have asked for a better start.
Just four minutes into the contest, they earned their first penalty corner and Cassiem stepped forward. The South African star made no mistake, converting the set piece to stun the Kookaburras and give South Africa an early 1-0 lead.
Rather than retreat after going ahead, South Africa continued to take the game to Australia. Their aggressive press and willingness to play forward caused problems throughout the opening quarter, while the defensive unit remained disciplined when Australia looked to establish their own attacking rhythm.
The South Africans were reduced to ten players following a yellow card to Kenton Melville, but Australia were unable to make the numerical advantage count. Blake Govers came closest to finding an equaliser late in the opening quarter, narrowly missing a touch at the back post as South Africa carried their 1-0 advantage into the first break.
The pattern continued through the second quarter.
Australia enjoyed more possession and territory, but South Africa defended with tremendous energy and denied one of world hockey’s most dangerous attacking teams the clear openings they were searching for.
At half-time, remarkably, South Africa still led 1-0.
The Kookaburras finally found their response eight minutes into the second half. A penalty corner in the 38th minute was converted by Joel Rintala, his third goal of the tournament, to bring Australia level at 1-1.
Five minutes later, the momentum appeared to have swung completely.
Campbell Geddes drove a dangerous ball into the South African circle and Ky Willott (43’) supplied the decisive touch to put Australia in front for the first time at 2-1.
South Africa’s response, however, was outstanding.
Rather than allowing Australia to take control, the Africans immediately went back on the attack and earned another penalty corner. Once again, the responsibility fell to Cassiem.
And once again, he delivered.
In the 44th minute, Cassiem converted his second penalty corner of the match to restore parity at 2-2, completing a superb brace against one of the strongest teams in world hockey.
There was still time for major drama before the end of the third quarter. Govers appeared to have put Australia back in front on the buzzer, but an umpire referral determined that the ball had not crossed the line before time expired and the goal was ruled out.
That decision sent the teams into the final quarter level at 2-2 and set up a tense final 15 minutes.
South Africa continued to play with the same intent that had characterised their performance from the opening whistle. Their speed on transition remained a threat, while at the other end Australia pushed hard for the goal that would preserve their perfect record in Pool C.
Neither side could find it.
The South African defence stood firm through the closing exchanges and the final whistle confirmed a deserved 2-2 draw, ending Australia’s perfect start to the tournament and giving South Africa their first point of the World Cup. Australia nevertheless finished their three pool matches unbeaten on seven points.
For South Africa, the result provides a significant boost heading into the 9th–16th classification phase. After defeats against Spain and Ireland, the performance against one of the tournament favourites showed exactly what this team is capable of when its defensive intensity and attacking quality come together.
And at the heart of it was Mustapha Cassiem.
Two penalty corners. Two goals. And a statement performance on the biggest stage as South Africa signed off their Pool C campaign with a result they can take enormous confidence from.
Australia 2-2 South Africa
South Africa: Mustapha Cassiem (4’ PC, 44’ PC)
Australia: Joel Rintala (38’ PC), Ky Willott (43’ FG)
