Match Reports World Cup 2024 Men’s O65

Saturday 12^th October 2024 — England vs New Zealand

Weather set fair, in a beautiful setting on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak at the University of

Cape Town astro pitch, England Men's 065 team got their World Cup bid off to a start against New Zealand. The New Zealanders are somewhat of an unknown entity to England with the two sides not having met for several years.

Against this backdrop, and with a lot at stake, the first few minutes of the match were understandably a little cagey. This period was broken on the five - minute mark when a good passing move resulted in the England captain Mark Precious receiving the ball in the New Zealand circle. Mark drew in the goalkeeper, who half parried an initial shot that resulted in the ball presenting itself behind him. With some help from the goalkeeper, Mark executed a face planting dive into the turf over the goalkeeper while executing a goal scoring push shot. 1 — 0  to England and an enduring question as to whether Mark was better looking before or after the dive.

Some 6 minutes later Alex Chiang picked up the ball from some broken play after a short corner, passed it square to Peter Jakob who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper back in the direction of Alex. Alex obligingly popped the ball into the goals. 2 -0 at the end of the first quarter and England looking comfortable.

The second quarter was dominated by England but, as New Zealand had dropped deeper in defence, field goals were more difficult to come by. A number of short corner opportunities also ended without success.

The second half of the match was very similar in nature to the second quarter with a little more success on the field goal front. In the 43^rd minute Jimmy Laslett was on hand to receive the ball just outside the opposition circle advance a hit a powerful low shot into the corner of the goal with Peter Jakob rounding off the scoring in the 50^th minute.

England off and running with a creditable 4 — 0 victory.

Sunday 13^th October 2024 — England vs Wales

Another fine day in paradise but this time at the Wynberg Boys High School pitches in the shadow of the back of Table Mountain and the Constantia Berg, England faced Wales, who had proven to be tricky opponents during the recent Four Nations tournament in Belfast.

The first quarter of the match proved to be a rerun of the second quarter against New Zealand. Lots of possession, numerous short corners and a missed penalty stroke all of which produced little to show for the hard work. With the score at the end of the first quarter still 0 — 0, the superstitious amongst the group might have feared that the 13^th day of October may produce a banana skin.

With the Welsh defending resolutely, and the short corner machine misfiring like a Colt 2000, the score remained at 0 — 0 until deep into the second quarter when yet another circle penetration drew a particularly poor tackle from a Welsh defender. A penalty stroke was awarded which David Knapp stepped up to despatch confidently. 1— 0. A minute later almost a re-run of a minute before ending with David despatching his second penalty stroke. 2 - 0 at half time.

The third quarter produced yet more short corners and no goals. It also produced about three or four minutes of pressure by Wales which resulted in them being awarded a short corner.

Thankfully an uncomfortable 2 - 1 outcome was avoided by some very good England defence. At the very end when Billy Jawanda struck a superb shot into the goals to all but settle the outcome of the match. 3 - 0 with one quarter to play.

The final quarter saw the dam wall finally burst. With field goals by Mike Wingent in the 50^th minute and Billy Jawanda in the 56^th minute and a Billy Jawanda penalty stroke in the 52^nd minute the final score was 6 — O. With the amount of possession and dominance in the match this was at the very least a fair result. Banana skin avoided.

Wednesday 16^th October 2024 — England vs Australia

The big game. With England avoiding Australia in Barcelona and not going to Tokyo, it was many years since the two adversaries had met. All England knew was that as ever the Aussies would be a very tough opposition and so it proved.

The match at Hartleyvale, the most exposed stadium to the elements, was played in pretty grim conditions. The Cape South Easter was blowing with grim determination, and a sea mist rolled in to produce a rather eerie atmosphere. Both teams were sitting on a plus 10 goal difference, but England had a game in hand. Avoiding defeat and winning the final match would guarantee England group top spot.

For much of the match England shaded possession and territory. England dominated the circle penetrations and short corner count. The Australians only managed two attacks of any note. One resulting from a mis - strap by a defender which bobbled to an attacker who had a free run onto goalkeeper Jim Felix who narrowed the angle to the extent that the attacker shot wide. The second resulted from an unnecessary and poor tackle outside the circle leading to a short corner. Great defending by Adrian Bailey saw off the Aussie attempt. Result 0 — 0.

On balance England definitely the better and more enterprising side.

A very sad outcome of the match was that exceptional midfielder Jim Laslett was out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

Thursday 17^th October 2024 — England vs Spain

Played at Western Province Cricket Club, but in better weather. England only needed to win to head the group.

Needing to win the match, perhaps nerves may have had an influence on England's opening performance that may have been dominant but lacked fluidity against an opposition that offered little by way of a threat. Finishing again proved to be problematic with the first quarter ending 0 — 0.

The second quarter started more brightly with a short corner goal by Billy Jawanda on 17 minutes. This had something of a settling effect but still left work to be done. The half ended 1 - 0.

In the third quarter England really did now dominate possession and Spain resorted to a packed defence. In the 43^rd minute Andy Howitt poop up on the penalty shot to guide a ball crossed in from the right into the net. Without any real pressure from Spain this felt much more comfortable. Billy Jawanda closed off the scoring with a fine short corner strike on the final whistle to lead England out deserved winners at 3 — 0.

Saturday 19^th October 2024 — England vs Ireland

Played at Hartleyvale without the sea mist but with a very strong South Easter. On paper a straightforward match for England who topped their group and Ireland who ended up as one of the best third placed teams.

Despite the paper gap between the sides, England again started solidly but not commandingly. The Irish appeared to have set up to defend in numbers and score on the breakaway. This added to the complexity of England's task of scoring goals with the first quarter ending 0 — 0.

It wasn't until deep into the second quarter when Rod Naughlty popped up from midfield in the circle to smash home a cracking strike. England were on their way. Half time score 1 - 0.

The second half started with the result far from secure but with England still dominating. Scoring opportunities came at a regular rate but too many shots were off target. The short corner machine also continued to stutter. An interesting statistic on short corners up to the end of the quarter finals was 5 matched, 66 short corners, 3 scored.

Thankfully an inspired substitution led to Gee Chana coming on a left wing. On the 43rd minute Gee produced some fabulous individual skills and then amazed everyone by passing a superb pass to Alex Chiang who had run a perfect running line to arrive inside the back post to slot the ball into the goal. 2-0.

The fourth quarter turned into a bit of a goal fest with field goals from Gee, Billy Jawanda, David Knapp and Rod Naughlty. Result 6 — 0. The youth and fitness of the England side coming to the fore. All credit to Ireland for a gritty performance almost to the end.

Sunday 20^th October 2024 England vs Australia

Played at Western Province Cricket Club.

Having played Australia in the group England knew they would have to come out of the blocks quickly and that's exactly what they did. Within five minutes England won their first short corner via a slick passing move that caught out the usually solid Aussie defence. David Knapp delivered the ball to Mark Precious on the top of the circle with the customary pace we've come to expect from him to allow Mark an early strike at goal. David, then reacting rapidly to follow in on the injection, arrived at the near post to deflect the ball into the goal to produce the early 1 — 0 lead England were hoping for. There were no further clearcut scoring chances and the first quarter ended 1 - 0.

The second quarter continued much as the first had ended with England enjoying the majority of the possession but with Australia never out of contention. Their ability to disrupt play and counterattack from the turnover always a factor in keeping England from gaining complete control. Halftime score 1 - 0.

The second half started very much as the first with England pushing forward quickly and pressing the Australians. This led to another short corner on 35 minutes. Billy Jawanda stepped up and placed a superbly struck shot just past the goalkeeper to provide some daylight between the sides. 2-0. The Australians then, having to push forward, had a short patch of play which produced a short corner of their own. The England defence managed to deal with the threat and normal service was resumed with England comfortable in possession and denying the Aussies a way back. End of third quarter 2 - 0.

The fourth quarter mirrored the third with England again winning a short corner within 5 minutes of the restart. Mark Precious struck a beautiful shot using his inside out swing to bury the ball in the goal just inside the far post. This effectively ended the contest as, with ten minutes to go, the Australians probably knew that scoring three goals was beyond them. England ran out 3 - 0 winners and, more importantly, doubled their tournament short corner count. A very good time to get the engine firing smoothly.

Monday 21^st October 2024 — England vs The Netherlands

The grand finale played on the B pitch at Western Province Cricket Club. The A pitch being reserved for the 035 men.

Based on results between the two nations over the past few years The Netherlands knew they would have to push England very hard. Consequently, they started the game at a very fast pace. The intensity caught England little off guard and within 3 minutes the Netherlands won a short corner when one of their forwards managed to drive a ball onto the foot of an England defender. The defence held firm, and the short corner was cleared. The danger was far from over the though and the Netherlands were soon attacking once again, winning another short corner. This time unfortunately a missed trap by one of the England defenders allowed. The Netherlands danger man to reverse stick the ball past an advancing goalkeeper into the goal for 0 — 1.

This setback seemed to galvanise England who then started to play the way they can. Soon dominance in possession was achieved with the ball being moved around the pitch swiftly leaving the Dutch chasing around for long periods. Dutch frustration started to set in during one of these periods in the second quarter and one of their players received a green card. Shortly thereafter, a second player received a yellow card leaving the Netherlands with nine players on the pitch and England in complete control.

The Netherlands started the second half with ten players and were just restored to eleven on 33 minutes when England won a short corner. With a newfound confidence for scoring short corners, Billy Jawanda stepped up and smashed a powerful shot low into goals to restore parity in the scoring 1 — 1. Two minutes later England won another short corner. Having now scored four short corners in two matches hopes were high. Billy once again hit a powerful shot at the goal. The rebound from the goalkeeper found its way to Rod Naughlty a few paces inside the circle. Rod wasted no time and smashed a lifted shot in the side netting inside the far post for a superb finish. England now up 2-1. The rest of the third quarter remained under England's control. Unfortunately, an England player received a somewhat harsh yellow card right on the whistle to end the third quarter resulting five minutes with only ten men at the start of the final quarter. Not ideal.

The fourth quarter was a rather feisty affair as one might expect. The Dutch tried to push up but England were steadfast and not allowing the man advantage to work for The Netherlands. Further frustrations for the Dutch saw them receive several more cards with their total for the match ending at three greens and three yellows.

With only 30 seconds left of the clock a stray pass by England resulted in the Netherlands scoring a very well taken goal by their dangerman. Final score 2-2.

The penalty shuttles were the usual nail - biting affair. The Netherlands scored their first from a penalty stroke awarded when David Webb in the England goal fouled the player. England then missed their first shuttle leaving the Dutch 1 — 0 up. Thankfully David Webb made a fine save from the next shuttle but England missed the second leaving the score poised on 1 — 0. The Dutch dangerman then stepped up for his turn and given his performance thus far things were looking bleak for England. Luckily the pressure of shuttles gets to everyone, and he duffed a very poorly taken shot straight at Webby who obliged with a straightforward save.

David Knapp then stepped up for England and after some pace and stick skills managed to slide the ball under the goalkeeper for it to just creep over the line in what must have been close to the time limit. 1 -1. All now to play for.

Next came the Dutch captain. He dribbled into the circle and was looking menacing but Webby was having none of it and put in a solid challenge to save. Score still 1 -1.

Alex Chiang was next up for England. With the calmness in his Chinese genes and dazzling stickwork, he totally bamboozled the Dutch goalkeeper and slipped the ball into the goal to give England the lead and the hope of a victory. This hope turned into a reality when the final Dutch player took an early shot and missed the goals altogether. England 2 — 1 winners!!

Given the early stats on short corners who'd have believed that in the final two games the stats were played two, 9 short corners, 5 goals.

Well done and congratulations to all.