South Africa opened their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Spain in Pool C, with a difficult opening half ultimately leaving the African champions with too much ground to recover despite a considerably improved second-half performance.
Photo – FIH / World Sport Pics
The match also marked a significant milestone for captain Dayaan Cassiem, who led South Africa onto the field for his 99th international test cap, moving to within one appearance of a century for his country.
Spain made the early breakthrough in the 12th minute, although the goal arrived with an element of controversy. The first touch in the build-up appeared to be played with the reverse side of the stick, but because the incident occurred outside the 25, South Africa were unable to refer the decision, with umpire Tomlinson not allowing the referral.
Before South Africa had fully recovered, Spain struck again. Basterra doubled the advantage just a minute later to leave the South Africans facing an early 2-0 deficit.
Spain continued to apply pressure and Basterra grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 28th minute, sending his side into the half-time interval with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
South Africa emerged after the break with far greater purpose.
They enjoyed more possession in dangerous areas, began asking significantly more questions of the Spanish defence and created opportunities to work their way back into the contest. Penalty corners offered South Africa one of their clearest routes back into the match, but a number of opportunities went unconverted.
Eventually, the pressure told.
In the 45th minute, Mustapha Cassiem produced a penalty corner of the highest quality,sending an inch-perfect drag flick into the top corner to give South Africa the breakthrough their improved performance deserved.
At 3-1, there was suddenly life in the contest heading into the final quarter.
South Africa continued to search for another goal and created a handful of opportunities that could have made the closing stages particularly uncomfortable for Spain. The chances were there, but the finishing touch proved elusive and the Spanish defence ultimately held firm.
The final score perhaps did not fully reflect the competitiveness of South Africa’s second-half showing, but the damage inflicted during the opening two quarters ultimately proved decisive.
There will be frustration at the opportunities left on the field, particularly from penalty corners, but also encouragement in the response after the interval as South Africa showed their ability to take the game to one of the world’s leading hockey nations.
With the opening assignment now behind them, South Africa will look to carry that second-half momentum into the remainder of their Pool C campaign.
South Africa 1-3 Spain
Goals: Mustapha Cassiem (45’)
Spain: Reyne (12’), Basterra (13’, 28’)
