Their opening games ended in differing results with India opening their account with a three goal victory while the South Africans were on the end of a three goal defeat. India were strongly fancied to add a second victory while the South Africans were looking to keep their tournament chances alive with a big performance.
The Africans got the dream start to the game when Marvin Simons, who represented South Africa at the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021, netted the games opening goal getting onto the end of a good pass to open the scoring. But it was one way traffic after that in the first half as India took control of the game and marched into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from a Tiwari double and Uttam Singh.
But the South Africans showed truly South African spirit and fought back in the third quarter with two penalty corner goals to level the game. Fawaaz Kahder first and captain Sihle Ngubane second levelled matters superbly and the South Africans had the momentum to go and take the game forward.
India though would re-establish the lead on the verge of the whistle as Sudeep Chirmako gave the Asians lead with just 15 minutes to play. The South Africans had not read that script and were interested in providing the game a storyline to remember in the final 15.
Sensational Goal Scoring star Cameron le Forestier leveled for the South Africans with ten minutes remaining and the South Africans now had the bit firmly between the teeth and stormed forward looking for another and a game deciding goal. There was no surprise that the man that popped up with the goal was le Forestier. He netted the winner with just 2 minutes remaining on the clock, the South Africans held on and landed a famous victory.
Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 – 23 October – Result
India 4-5 South Africa
