South Africa’s men came from behind to beat hosts Croatia 8-6 on the opening night of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Poreč.
Croatia came out firing with a brilliant goal from their captain Mario Mucic. South Africa would level with a reactive strike from Hans Neethling but Croatia roared forward netting a brace through Lucas Bachmann to lead 3-1 at the first change.
South Africa performed a tactical switch in the second quarter and immediately started seeing better opportunities with the ball. Captain Dayaan Caassiem was leading from the front and it was his brilliant drive that set up his brother Mustapha with the chance to pull back to 3-2, the half-time score.
With the wind in their sails, the South Africans came roaring forward and found the equaliser with a perfectly executed roundhouse flick from Cassiem to double his tally. South Africa had the upper hand and made it count with both Neethling and Cassiem netting again to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 advantage at the end of third quarter.
Bachmann scored his second of the game in the final quarter to ignite hope for the Croatians but immediately Dayaan Cassiem pulled the strings and set up Neethling who finished his hat-trick to re-extend the lead to two. Cassiem himself then scored with a brilliant change of direction before his brother converted his fourth of the night from a penalty stroke.
Croatia would score two late goals from penalty corners, but it was job done for South Africa.
Photo credit: FIH