Cassiem calls for SA Men’s Hockey team to step up after Ireland defeat

The South African Men’s side like the Women have lost both their opening games at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium, and as a result they find themselves at the bottom of the Pool C standings.

Speaking to the media after the 4-1 loss to Ireland, Cassiem admitted that nerves got the better of the new players in the South African setup.

“I am gutted and I speak for the whole team. We created enough opportunities today but did not capitalise, and on our end everything went in,” said Cassiem.

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“I think there are a lot of new guys so obviously nerves were kicking in at this big stage.”

“These are the moments that we need to step up. I think we did that today but like I said we didn’t capitalise and against a good team like Ireland, they will punish you.”

South Africa’s only goal of the game came through Kenton Melville’s acrobatic deflection in the 37th minute which broke the deadlock. The men failed to protect their lead as Ireland equalised minutes later through Benjamin Walker in the 42nd  minute. 

The floodgates opened for Ireland thereafter as they cemented victory over the South African’s through a brace by Lee Cole (48th and 55th) as well as Sam Hyland in the 59th minute. 

It was a bitter sweet occasion for Mustapha’s brother and captain Dayaan Cassiem who made his 100th International appearance in the green and gold, a decade after making his senior debut. 

South Africa stand no chance of progressing into the second round of the championship phase as Australia (6 points) and Ireland & Spain are both on 3 points apiece. 

The team will move instead to the 9th-16th classification phase of the competition after the completion of the Pool stages. 

Their final Pool game will be against Australia on Thursday, 20 August at 11h00.