FIH: Underdogs Dominate On Opening Day Of The FIH Hockey Nations Cup South Africa 2022

A brand new period of worldwide hockey started with 8 high groups producing thrilling hockey on the opening day of the inaugural FIH Hockey Males’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022. 

The Nations Cup options the most effective groups on the planet exterior of those taking part within the FIH Hockey Professional League, and their high quality was on full show because the decrease ranked groups took victories in 3 of the 4 video games, with Japan, Eire and Korea defeating greater ranked Canada, France and Malaysia respectively. Hosts South Africa nonetheless ensured there was no upset of their opener, as they put in a spectacular attacking show, scoring 6 targets previous a younger Pakistan workforce.

Match 1 – Canada vs Japan 0-3

Japanese coach Akira Takahashi talked about earlier than the sport that his workforce wouldn’t be afraid to play to their strengths and his workforce backed up his phrases with a dominant show within the opening encounter in opposition to Canada with a scientific 3-0 win to open their marketing campaign.

Japan began the sport on the entrance foot and opened the scoring via Ken Nagayoshi beating Zachary Coombs on the fifth time of asking from a penalty nook halfway via the 2nd quarter. Japan added two extra targets from penalty corners on both aspect of the half-time via Taiki Takade and a second aim for Ken Nagayoshi, ending Canadian hopes of a comeback, taking all 3 factors within the first recreation of the FIH Hockey Males’s Nations Cup 2022.

Japan’s Kaito Tanaka was awarded the participant of the match for a dominant show in the course of the sphere. Talking concerning the significance of successful the primary recreation, Tanaka mentioned: “You will need to win the primary recreation, however the subsequent two matches are simply as essential, so our focus goes to shift on the following recreation instantly.” 

Match 2 – France vs Eire 1-2

France got here into the FIH Hockey Males’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022 as one of many prohibitive favorites, however suffered a slender 2-1 defeat by the hands of continental rivals Eire, of their marketing campaign opener. 

Eire opened the scoring in opposition to the run of play halfway via the primary quarter, catching France out on a fast counter assault, as John McKee performed an ideal cross into the trail of Jeremy Duncan, who lifted the ball over the keeper, into the aim. France discovered a response inside 5 minutes, from a thundering penalty nook aim, scored by Victor Charlet. 

Eire had the possibility to enter the break with their lead restored however Arthur Thieffry pulled off a spectacular save from a penalty stroke to maintain the groups degree.

The second half noticed the sport begin to open up because the groups took turns to launch assaults. Eire discovered the breakthrough within the ultimate minute of the third quarter, via a Shane O’Donoghue penalty nook. France continued to probe via the 4th quarter, even taking their keeper off for the ultimate 5 minutes, however Eire denied them possession for lengthy intervals and deservedly took all 3 factors.

John McKee who arrange the primary aim for Eire was adjudged the participant of the match and mentioned: “It was a very good recreation for us and a large consequence within the group. I’m trying ahead to the following two video games and we aren’t going to get forward of ourselves.”

Match 3 – Malaysia vs Korea 0-1

Korea drew first blood within the battle of the Asian giants, scoring inside 5 minutes, via a Jonghyun Jang penalty nook and that aim was sufficient to get all 3 factors for Korea. 

It was a recreation of missed probabilities as Korea and Malaysia each gained penalty strokes within the 2nd quarter, however did not capitalize, as Jang took too lengthy to take a shot try and blew a chance to double Korea’s lead, whereas Rahim, who had the possibility to drag Malaysia degree, put his penalty stroke try broad to the correct. The second half noticed yet one more penalty stroke alternative missed, as Jang’s second likelihood of the sport was deflected on to the put up and out by Hafizuddin Othman to maintain Malaysia within the recreation. 

As the sport went on, Korea turned extra defensive, and Malaysia couldn’t get something previous Jaehyeon Kim, who had an impressive efficiency within the Korean aim. Kim was adjudged the participant of the match and mentioned: “Pleased with the three factors, because it’s at all times good to get a win over Asian rivals Malaysia, as a result of they aren’t a simple workforce to beat. Trying ahead to the upcoming matches within the match now.”   

Match 4 – South Africa vs Pakistan 6-2

Hosts South Africa gave the house crowd loads to cheer for, as they produced a fluent attacking efficiency successful 6-2 in opposition to Pakistan, who confirmed loads of promise, however had been let down by the shortage of defensive solidity. 

South Africa had been scientific from the set items, scoring from two penalty corners and a penalty stroke within the first half. Tyson Dlungwana penalty nook opened the scoring for the hosts, and whereas Pakistan pulled degree via Rooman, South Africa weren’t slowed down and continued to assault, scoring twice within the second quarter to take a cushty lead into the interval. 

The tempo of the sport remained frantic within the second half as effectively, with South Africa placing first via a magical deflection by Tevin Kok, together with his again to the aim, that snuck in between the keeper’s legs. Skipper Dayaan Cassiem scored South Africa’s fifth aim within the ultimate quarter to seal the win for his workforce in fashion. Pakistan pulled a aim again within the ultimate quarter via Arshad Liaqat, but it surely proved to be little greater than a comfort, as South Africa discovered a sixth aim on the counter to shut the sport out. 

Captain Dayaan Cassiem was awarded the participant of the match award for his glorious efficiency in main the road for South Africa. 

Samkelo Mvimbi, scorer of South Africa’s third aim, mentioned: “It was an ideal begin to the match for the workforce, and good to be concerned amongst the targets as effectively. It’s an ideal feeling to play at house in entrance of the supporters and it offers us further motivation to return out and play with lots of ardour, coronary heart and hearth as we’re recognized to do.” 

FIH Hockey Males’s Nations Cup South Africa 2022 – Day 1 (28 November 2022)

Consequence: Match 1

Canada 0-3 Japan

Participant of the Recreation: Kaito Tanaka

Umpires: Aziz Adimah (GHA), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL), Tim Meissner (GER-reserve), Bevan Nichol (NZL-video)

Consequence: Match 2

France 1-2 Eire

Participant of the Recreation: John McKee

Umpires: Gabriel Labate (ARG), Zeke Newman (AUS), Benjamin Peters (USA-reserve), Ayden Shrives (RSA-video)

Consequence: Match 3

Malaysia 0-1 Korea

Participant of the Recreation: Jaehyeon Kim

Umpires: Bevan Nichol (NZL), Hideki Kinoshita (JPN), Aziz Adimah (GHA-reserve), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL-video)

Consequence: Match 4

South Africa 6-2 Pakistan

Participant of the Recreation: Dayaan Cassiem

Umpires: Tim Meissner (GER), Nazmi Kamaruddin (MAS), Zeke Newman (AUS-reserve), Benjamin Peters (USA-video)