FIH Nations Cup campaigns end in disappointment for SA hockey teams

FIH Nations Cup campaigns ended in disappointment for the national hockey teams at the weekend, with the men relegated from the Nations Cup and the women losing the seventh-place Nations Cup 2 play-off against hosts Malaysia.

Both matches were tense affairs, with the SA women edged in a shootout after a 1-1 draw against a team the African champions had beaten earlier in the tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Despite controlling large spells of the game, their Achilles heel in the final was once again their inability to convert chances.

Veteran Quanita Bobbs forced a save with a powerful effort, before Onthatile Zulu’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar in a first half where Malaysia created little.

Missed chances by Ntsopa Mokoena and Kayla de Waal left head coach Inky Zondi with hands on head in disbelief.

They were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Malaysia scored the opener in the fourth quarter, a diving deflection from Nur Azhar. Charne Maddocks lifted a calm finish over the Malaysia keeper to level matters. But Malaysia held their nerve to secured a dramatic shoot-out victory.

The SA men were also unable to make the most of their dominance over Japan in the seventh place play-off of the FIH Nations Cup, a battle for survival. 

South Africa, who struggled at the set piece in the tournament, took the lead early on through a Calvin Davis penalty corner fired into the bottom left corner.

They were controlling possession but the Japanese pulled level in the second half via a bullet strike and later capitalised on space in the circle to grab a 2-1 lead. Despite a late onslaught, and a succession of penalty corners, the SA men couldn't find their way past their rivals.

The side will now turn its attention to the Africa Cup of Nations in October in a bid to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup.