Having watched the South African Women go down to a narrow defeat in their opener, the South African Indoor Hockey Men, powered by Tops at SPAR, were determined to give themselves a winning start as they took on 2018 fourth place finishers Australia.<\/p>\n
They couldn\u2019t have asked for a better start. Lungani Gabela\u2019s shot was rebounded to Chad Futcher who shaped to shoot but was taken out and a penalty stroke was awarded. Mustapha Cassiem stepped up to fire home his 53rd international indoor goal.<\/p>\n
Elation and jubilation doubled up for the South Africans when Cassiem made it 54 reacting to a goal bound effort that sneaked off to him. His goal delighted the home crowd.<\/p>\n
The Australians though have a tenacious fighting spirit and found their way back into the game. Ben Staines pulling a goal back for the Australians just before the half-time break. In the third quarter Jake Sherren levelled matters with a well struck penalty corner into the top corner.<\/p>\n
For the South Africans the frustrations grew as Australia completed a superb turnaround with Jack Staines scoring on a counterattack right on the hooter to give the Australians the lead. The South Africans had a few half chances but were looking to raise the tempo and precision in the final quarter of the game.<\/p>\n
They did exactly that as they asked questions on a continuous basis, and they eventually found the answer through their inspirational captain Jethro Eustice who fired home from a penalty corner for his fourth historical Indoor Hockey World Cup goal.<\/p>\n
The South Africans continued to look for a winner but were unable and ultimately the two teams settled for a draw.<\/p>\n
Photo: Marcel Sigg \/ Worldsportpics<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"