CAPE TOWN, South Africa - After yesterday and today, six USA teams concluded pool play at the 2022 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

Friday, October 7, 2022

O-45 Men 0 - 3 Malaysia

The U.S. O-45 Men's Masters Team faced Malaysia in their final pool game.

Just 3 minutes into the contest, Malaysia got on the board through a Abdul Raza Saidin field goal. USA buckled down and displayed great collective defense and did not allow another goal until the 58th minute. This one came from S Kuhan on a penalty corner. Malaysia sealed the win with one more goal in the 66th minute against off a penalty corner.

O-50 Men 1 - 2 South Africa SoM

The U.S. O-50 Men's National Team took on hosts, South Africa Spirit of Masters in an afternoon game.

It was a very even match with USA converting on a penalty corner in the 24th minute to take a 1-0 lead. A terrific injection from Konix Varahoor (Windsor, Calif.), and a textbook stop from Hugo Mazzalupi (Wayne, Pa.) allowed Rajinder Goraya (Kent, Wash.) to slam it into the bottom left corner for a no doubt goal.

Unfortunately, South Africa scored there own penalty corner two minutes later to tie the match.

A back and forth tussle saw South Africa score on a field goal to take 2-1 lead in the 43rd minute.

USA had their chances to tie the match. Man of the Match Sau Tong Lee (Saint Johns, Fla.) found forward Sidharth Bansal (Chapel Hill, N.C.)in the circle, and Bansal's reverse shot hit the post and USA wasn’t unable to tap it in.

Goalkeeper Michael Caddy (Drake, Colo.) played another strong game in the cage - denying South Africa numerous times.

All in all, the team has showed significant improvement of the last few games under the thoughtful guidance of coach Randal Hendricks.

The O-50 Men will play their final pool game on Sunday, October 9 against England at 5:55 a.m. ET.

O-55 Women 1 - 2 South Africa

The U.S. O-55 Women's Masters Team battled with South Africa in their final pool game.

USA came out strong with a couple of fast breakaways and counter attacks lead by forwards Toni Arner (Quakertown, Pa.), Sharon Siegel (Cape Eliz, Maine) and Gaby Cappanera (Miami, Fla.), but was unable to find the back of the net. A questionable yellow card gave the home team their second stroke opportunity of the game, resulting in a two goal lead.

USA struck back early in the third to cut South Africa’s lead in half with a brilliant reverse flick goal by Carol Guljia (Flemington, N.J.). The red, white and blue continued to press with many opportunities but were unable to even the score despite a gutsy game.

The O-55 Women will play in the 9th/10th place game tomorrow against Wales at 11:25 a.m. ET.

O-65 Women 0 - 0 England LX

The U.S. O-65 Women's Masters Team and England LX went head-to-head but neither team could find the back of the goal.

Both teams had connecting passes throughout the midfield and USA had more circle penetration in the first half resulting from some dangerous and close shots on goal. England LX defense was strong and was able to stop USA's offense.

England LX adjusted in the second half by pulling more athletes on the strong side and had longer drives. USA generated some attack with a close deflection by Anne Keating (New York, N.Y.) that went just outside the post. USA's penalty corner defense blocked three attempts from the attacking England LX. Dixie Erdman (Hummelstown, Pa.) was a core defensive player during this game and stepped up to stop several attacking drives.

The O-65 Women will play in an elimination game on Sunday, October 9 against Scotland at 3:50 a.m. ET.

DATE	TIME	TEAM		TEAM	STREAM
Sat., Oct. 8	2:00 AM 5th-8th	O-50W	vs	Ireland	Livestream
	3:50 AM Classification	O-55M	vs	Ireland	Livestream
	5:40 AM 5th-8th	O060W	vs	Wales
	7:30 AM Elimination	O55M SoM	vs	Ireland	Livestream
	11:25 AM 9th/10th	O-55W	vs	Wales	Livestream
Mon. Oct. 9	3:50 AM Elimination	O65W	vs	Scotland	Livestream
	5:55 AM	O-50M	vs	England	Livestream

All times in Eastern Time Zone

Six USA Teams Conclude Pool Play at 2022 World Masters Hockey World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa

IMAGES COURTESY OF SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERS HOCKEY

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