KUALA LUMPUR: Host Malaysia, Belgium, New Zealand and South Africa will be involved in the race for the 9th-12th Classification matches in the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
World number 10, South Africa will face New Zealand while host Malaysia face Belgium.
South Africa, who had their best ever JWC outing with a ninth place finish in 2021 Bhubaneswar edition, beat Chile 5-1 in the 9th-16th classification match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here, today.
The South African didn’t wait longer to take early lead when Leruo Ditlhakanyane netted a field goal as early as third minute in the match, that was delayed by an hour by heavy thunderstorm that flooded the pitch, while David Tshebi doubled the score in the 12th minute.
Hans Neethling then netted a brace within five-minutes, via field goals in the 32nd and 37th minutes to put the Junior Africa Cup 2023 winners in a comfortable position.
World number 20 Chile, the tournament’s lowest ranked team, tried to reduce the margin through Alexei De Witt’s 46th minute penalty corner, but South Africa again found the net through Nathan Ansell’s 53rd minute penalty corner to secure the 5-1 victory.
Meanwhile, New Zealand stunned world number 11 South Korea 3-2 in another classification match to set up a clash against South Africa.
In another 9th-12th classification match, Malaysia who beat Egypt 4-1 earlier are set to face Belgium who recorded the 2023 edition’s biggest victory by trouncing Canada 12-0.
In the 13th-16 classifications, South Korea will take on Chile, while Egypt to face Canada.
The top junior hockey actions will continue with quarter-finals tomorrow, when defending champion Argentina face six-time champion Germany, Netherlands challenge India, France play against Australia and Spain takes on Pakistan.–Bernama
