South African men’s hockey team make history with Indoor World Cup bronze medal in Croatia

10 Feb 2025

South Africa’s sporting stars continued to shine on the global stage with the news that the men’s national hockey team won a bronze medal at the Indoor World Cup.

South Africa’s men’s hockey team claimed an historic bronze medal at the FIH Indoor World Cup in Croatia at the weekend — their best-ever showing at the event.

South Africa, spearheaded by the impressive Mustapha Cassiem, beat Belgium 6-5 for the bronze medal on Sunday.

Germany went on to win the title with a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Austria after the match finished 6-6 in regular time. The Germans claimed a 2-1 win in the shootout for their fourth world indoor title. Austria were denied a third consecutive Indoor World Cup gold medal.

While Germany and Austria remain two of the giants of the sport, it was the brilliance of the South African team that caught the eye. Earlier in the tournament they pushed Austria to the limit, with the Europeans eventually winning 8-6. Cassiem, however, scored four goals to announce his arrival on the biggest stage.

In all, Cassiem scored 17 goals in Croatia over the past week, and was duly, and deservedly, named Player of the Tournament.

In 2023, when the Indoor World Cup was held in South Africa, Cassiem was honoured with the Young Player of the Tournament gong.

His latest achievement takes his international tally to 118 goals in just 47 games, an extraordinary record that underscores his dominance in the indoor format.

Composure

South Africa’s performances at the tournament were consistently high with their only disappointing display coming in the semi-final against Germany, which they lost 6-1.

In the Pool stages they opened their account with an 8-6 win over hosts Croatia at the Zatika Sports Centre.

That was followed by the narrow loss against Austria. But South Africa produced some brilliance on their way to a 5-2 win over Poland in their final Pool match to claim a quarterfinal berth.

In the play-offs, South Africa stunned two-time bronze medallists Iran with a 6-0 victory to set-up the Germany showdown in the semis.

The German match was always going to be tough. After tight opening exchanges, that saw the scores level at 1-1 early on, two quick German goals before halftime made the mission almost impossible.

There was a brief glimmer of hope when Dayaan Cassiem earned a penalty, which brother Mustapha took. The German keeper saved, and when they scored a fourth early in the final quarter South Africa threw caution to the wind by removing their keeper.

Germany scored twice more as the gutsy tactic failed.

In the bronze medal match though, South Africa were always in the contest. Despite going 2-0 down early in the second quarter, South Africa responded with three goals before halftime, scored by the Cassiem brothers.

Hans Neethling then fired a penalty stroke home for South Africa to open a 4-2 lead in the third quarter. Belgium pulled one back before the end of the period.

But in the final quarter Mustapha Cassiem completed his hat-trick and Dayaan added another to open a three-goal lead.

Belgium removed their keeper and managed two late goals, but it was too little, too late.

Poland’s women beat Austria 1-0 in the final. DM

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