A game of two halves, but South Africa make most of numerical advantage

Result: Malaysia v South Africa 2-6 (0-1)

Seven goals in 35 minutes kept the crowd entertained as the Lads ran riot in the second half of this 11/12 classification match. South Africa took full advantage when Malaysia were reduced to 10 men for five minutes in the second half of the game. A hat-trick for Justin Reid-Ross was the highlight of the South Africa performance, but the African champions had to survive a Malaysian attacking onslaught in the first half before they got a handle on the game. 

With both teams failing to win a match so far, the start to this game was a cagey affair as the players sought to gain control and not allow their opponents a sniff at goal. There was very little forward attacking movement from either side in the opening quarter of the game. The match came more to life when Rhett Halkett found himself with loads of room in front of goal. His shot flew at the goal but also past the bevy of South Africa players who were waiting by post.

Malaysia looked the better side for the majority of the first half, and their persistence was rewarded when Firhan Ashari (26') found the goal after taking a quick free hit just outside the circle. The South Africa defence was caught snoozing and Erasmus Pieterse was unable to prevent the ball going into the net. The Speedy Tigers nearly doubled their lead a few minutes later when Abd Rahim Razie outwitted the Lad's defence and just shot past the goal.

The matched turned around in the second half as South Africa began to set their press higher up the field and pressurise the Malaysian defence. The tactics soon began to bear fruit as Fitri Saari resorted to fouling Wade Paton in the circle. The penalty corner was put away by Justin Reid-Ross (43') for his first goal of the day.

Two minutes later Reid-Ross (45') was on the scoresheet again. Malaysia had been reduced to 10 men as Mohd Noor Nabil was given a yellow card and South Africa took full advantage. The Lads poured forward and won another penalty corner: Reid-Ross ( drag-flicked it hard into the top left-hand corner. The drag-flick specialist was at it again two minutes later as he scored his hat-trick (48'), again a drag-flick over 'keeper Kumar Subramiam's head.

Lloyd Norris-Jones (50') joined Reid-Ross on the score-sheet with a smart solo run after captain Austin Smith had found him with a nicely-taken goal, and the rout from the Lads continued with a captain's goal for Austin Smith (64') who took over from Reid-Ross on their final penalty corner of the game. The sixth South African goal was scored by Jean-Pierre de Voux – following a dining run into the circle.

Malaysia scored a consolation goal through Shahrun Abdullah in the final minute of the match. The result means South Africa finished one place higher than their rankings, something that is good news for coach Fabian Gregory, after a tough series of pool matches.