The SA men’s hockey side came agonisingly close to securing 11th place at the World Cup before Pakistan prevailed 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.
South Africa’s FIH Hockey World Cup campaign in Belgium and the Netherlands ended with contrasting emotions on Friday, as the men suffered shoot-out heartbreak against Pakistan after the women were narrowly beaten by Ireland in their final classification match.
The men’s side came agonisingly close to securing 11th place before Pakistan prevailed 4-3 in a shoot-out after an entertaining 4-4 draw at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.
South Africa appeared to be in control after racing into a 2-0 lead through Trevor de Lora and captain Dayaan Cassiem, but Pakistan fought back to level the scores before taking a 3-2 advantage early in the second half.
Mustapha Cassiem, who emerged as one of South Africa’s standout players of the tournament, restored parity in the third quarter before putting the African champions back in front with five minutes remaining. His penalty-stroke conversion was his eighth goal of the tournament, but South Africa could not close out the victory as Pakistan equalised in the final minute to force the shoot-out.
