November 29, 2025
South Africa stored their Junior World Cup marketing campaign alive with a hard-earned 2–1 victory over Eire, a end result that injects contemporary momentum into the group after the frustration of the opening match. Eire entered the competition stuffed with confidence after their win over Canada, and with their head coach, a former South African U21 mentor, including one other layer of intrigue to a pivotal Pool A fixture.
South Africa knew a win was important and began with actual intent, creating the majority of the alternatives all through the primary half. They pressured 4 penalty corners earlier than the break, shifting the ball properly and making use of sustained stress, however the of entirety as soon as once more eluded them. A mixture of misfires and robust Irish defending meant the edges reached halftime locked at 0–0, regardless of South Africa’s far larger risk.
Early within the second half South Africa thought that they had discovered the breakthrough when Jamie Seale managed fantastically and smashed the ball dwelling. Nevertheless, after referral the objective was overturned because of hazard within the buildup, a irritating second that might simply have unsettled the group. As a substitute, it solely sharpened their resolve.
Because the third quarter neared its shut, South Africa lastly acquired the reward their vitality deserved. Reuben Sendzul gained the ball excessive up the pitch, confirmed super composure, and drilled a superb end into the online to offer South Africa the lead. However the pleasure was short-lived. Eire hit again nearly instantly, capitalising on a failed clearance and permitting McKee to fireside dwelling the equaliser.
With the sport finely poised, South Africa confirmed character and quietness when it mattered most. Litha Kraai produced a second of sophistication, slipping a superbly weighted move into the trail of Ross Montgomery, who delivered a cool, medical end to revive the lead and finally seal the win for the South Africans.
It was a tense, fierce contest, however one by which South Africa created sufficient possibilities to completely deserve the three factors. The two–1 victory places their marketing campaign again on observe and units up a decisive closing pool match towards Canada.
Supply: SAHockey.co.za
