South African U21 Hockey Men will play Malaysia in the 5th-place playoff

Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 | Australia lives up to favourites tag in South African Victory

With all other games completed South Africa knew a victory against Australia would qualify them for the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup, a draw would push them into the bronze medal match and a defeat would leave them playing for 5th. That’s how tight the margins were.

They couldn’t have asked for a worse start though as Australia took the lead in the opening minute. A Crossfield overhead was collected and smashed home to give the young Kookaburras the lead. Despite that early setback the South Africans settled into the game, and it was a tantalizing battle for possession across the park, although chances were few and far between. 

Unfortunately for the South Africans they were 2-0 down before the half time break. The second penalty corner of the game went to Australia and Cambell Geddes fired it low and hard past Govender to give the Aussies a more comfortable lead at the break!

Despite the South Africans causing the Australians some concern they were not able to turn that danger into opportunity. When they did win the penalty corner, they weren’t able to convert from it and it would prove costly as Brodee Foster added a third for Australia that felt like it was the goal that would settle the game and consign the South Africans to the 5th place playoff 

The South Africans were showing the same spirit as their senior side and continued fighting for the game and found a goal through Calvin Davis from a blistering penalty corner. Any fight though was extinguished by a Cooper Burns bullet from the penalty corner giving the Australians a 4-1 lead with just four minutes remaining. Dyakala pulled off a superb save at the next penalty corner, but Holland picked up the ball on the rebound and smashed it into the roof of the net. 5-1. There was time for Geddes to fire home a sixth for the Australians from a penalty corner to add gloss to the scoreline.

Despite some great moments in the tournament the South Africans were unable to secure a top 4 finish and will now play Malaysia in the 5th place playoff on Saturday morning.