Form books were thrown out of window when South Africa stunned Pakistan with a 29th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 International Men’s hockey tournament at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium, Ipoh.
It was Pakistan who dominated the first 25 minute and had three penalty corners in the first quarter and one in the second quarter, but it was South Africa who led in the second quarter with a field goal by Trevor Junior de Lora in the 25th and a penalty goal two minutes later by through their first penalty, when Connor Beauchamp sounded the board.
Boosted by the two goals lead, South Africa continued their goal socring spree with another penalty corner goal in the 38th minute through Brian Senzwesihie Ngubane for a three goal lead.
Pakistan were shell shocked with South Africa increasing the lead with another field goal in 43th minute through Cameron Yves Norman le Forester.
Pakistan finally got a consolationm goal off Abdul Shahid in the 47th minute.
Pakistan had a total 11 penalty corners with no goals to show while had three and scored off one.
QUOTES FROM:
PAKISTAN COACH : Siegfried Aikman
“Any loss and by four goals is shocking. But having said that, we played well as a young team but failed to use our chances.
Players being young seemed restless despite having dominated for long spells in the match.
South Africa took their chances well, but we did not.
Against Malaysia is another game, and hope we can bounce back after being wounded in the first match.
We need to polish up in several areas, especially being more clinical in our penalty corners. We had 11 penalty corners against South Africa and did not score any. That is reason for concern.”
SOUTH AFRICA COACH: Garreth Ewing
“We played well despite against a team like Pakistan. We defended well and took our chances well.
It is a great debut for our eight young players and hope it will spur them on for better performances in the coming matches.
Egypt had done well against Japan and it definitely not going to be an easy match. We have to continue to work hard and hope that we will continue to do well.”